Patriotic bowlers
A LARGE and representative meeting of bowlers was held in the Town Hall on Saturday night, the Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark) presiding. The object of the meeting was to consider the question of raising not less than £1000 for patriotic purposes.
The Mayor opened the proceedings with some references to the great struggle that was going on in Europe, and to the heroic part New Zealanders had played in the struggle. One of the effects of the war had been that nearly all ordinary sports had been unable to carry on as before, and he did not think any of the clubs would have kept their men from going to the front even had they desired to do so. But bowling was in a somewhat different position. Comparatively few bowlers were able to take a part in actual warfare.
Bowlers had nevertheless done their part for the Empire, and he believed they were going to do it once again. The dominion tournament was coming on in January, and Mr C. R. Smith had set himself to take advantage of the occasion to raise at least £1000 for patriotic purposes. Bowlers could do this if they wished to do it, and there was never a more urgent call for assistance than at the present time. While we appreciated very much the increase in the allowances made to dependents by Government — and the Government had done far more than he had ever anticipated it would — there still remained many wants to be supplied. We had not yet even touched the fringe of what would be required when the men came back. Bowlers were going to do their part. There were
2500 in the district, and if they set themselves to it they could easily reach the goal at which they were aiming. Mr Smith moved ‘‘That this meeting of bowlers accords its hearty support to the proposal to raise not less than £1000 for patriotic purposes, and pledges itself to put forth every effort to make the movement entirely successful.’’ Mr A. H. Allan, president of the Dunedin Bowling Centre, seconded the motion, which he warmly supported. It was passed unanimously and a committee was elected to manage the scheme.