BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 94, 22 April 1931, Page 14

BOWLING.

FRIENDLY GAMES ARRANGED. WI3OHNG THE FOX CUP. AMERICAN INTEREST IN GAME. (By TRUNDLER.) Three rinks representing the Auckland Centre executive paid an official visit to New Lynn yesterday, to play the associated clubs of the western suburbs. They were cordially welcomed by the president of the local association, the Rev. W. P. Rankin, and also by the Deputy-Mayor of New Lynn. Mr. G.

Lawson, the latter mentioning that he intended to take up the game in earnest for the future. Unfortunately two members of the centre executive were unable to attend, Mr. J. P. Mason, who is somewhat indisposed at present, and Mr. G. M. Reid, who is just, recovering from an operation. Mr. Reid'a many friends will be glad to know that he is progressing very favourably. Following the example of the Auckland Harbour Board, who recently challenged the City' Council to meet them in a bowling match, which turned out quite an enjoyable function, the Onehunga Chamber of Commerce has invited the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to play a similar match on a date to be arranged. The Auckland members will be the guests of the local members on the Onehunga green, and the matter is to be considered by the council of the Auckland Chamber to-morrow. It would probably facilitate arrangements if the Auckland members who care to accept this invitation would give their names to the secretary, Dr. E. P. Neale, tomorrow morning. International Bowling. A cablegram recently announced that a British touring party of three rinks had won the Fox Cup by 72 points to 51. This is an international trophy, presented by Mr. C. J. Fox, president of the South Californian Bowling Association, and the matches have been previously played in that State. Three times a British party have gone to California in quest of the cup, and each time they have been defeated, but on this occasion the match was played at Lakeland, Florida, and the visitors won. Lakeland is only a few miles inland from St. Petersburg, the winter resort on the Gulf of Mexico side of Florida, which apparently enjoys the distinction of containing a bowling club with the largest membership in the world. Having an American and Canadian president in alternate years, this year's president is Mr. Charles G. Blake, of Chicago, an exceptionally enthusiastic bowler, and it seems more than likely that he pulled the strings to get the match played in his State for the first time. Now that the cup has gone to Britain, the Americans will have to go there to win it back, on the same principle as the Davis Cup in tennis and the America Cup in yachting, but present appearances indicate that they will have just as much difficulty in winning it as Sir Thomas Lipton has found in lifting the famous yachting trophv, for Britain will have the very pick of all the local talent to defend it. when the match involves no travelling. However, this is rather fortunate, for the first match will presumably be played during the coming English summer, when a large American party may be expected to go across to recover it, and if the match is staged as part of the bis programme in London during July rfc° should help very considerably in establishing the goodwill that may he expected to accompany the admission of America into the International Bowling Board. Bowling seems to be coming into its own in America at last, and the inclusion of the game in the next Olympic Games, to be played in Los Angeles next year, from July 30 to August 14, is sure to give a great impetus to its popularity in that great country. There are now four clubs in Chicago, although the first was only started in 1923, and four more will function for the first time during the coming summer. There are five clubs in the city of Buffalo, probably owing to its proximity to Toronto", the headquarters of bowling in Canada, and even a little city like Hartford, close to New York, has three clubs, while several cities have one or two. Those who attend the Olympic Games next year should have a good time, for the Americans are sure to exploit to the very utmost the significance of their country being the first to include bowls amongst these international games. An invitation Ims also come from Vancouver for all the players from Britain and the Dominions to go there before returning to their respective countries.

Obituary

Old memories would be stirred by the intimation of the death of Mr. Henrus, I known to bowlers as- Harry Hemus for | j a quarter of a century, for he was a ; j most remarkable personality, just as j original and striking on the green as j ! when he put pen to paper. He joined | J the Ponsonby Club when he returned I j from Wanganui in 1905, but removed to j j the parent club seven years later, audi won the club championship in 1020, dur- ■ j ing Mr. Oliver Nicholson's presidency. I However, it was more by his style ot j, play than by any special wins that 11 he was recognised as a high-class bowler, j j although he usually had a good share | to his credit, and his attractive style > was acknowledged as a model by his I fellow-members, who .retained him a= . [ one of the club coaches until this sea- j son. although it was known that he I was seriously ill for several years. His j happy face was an inspiration to old and young, and there will be general regret that we are to see him no more. :