BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 11, 14 January 1925, Page 9

BOWLING.

DOINGS IN WELLINGTON. TOURNAMENTS AND MATCHES. (By TRUNDLER). The festive fortnight in Wellington was supposed to begin last Monday, but for all practical purposes it began on the previous Saturday, when visitors from f hristchurch arrived at. the capital, to take part in the annual match for the "Friendly Bowl." For sixteen years, long before the two islands wore joined into one association, this match has taken place, between the Wellington and Christeluirch Clubs, and last Saturday there were the usual compliments j to Mr. William Harnett, of C hristchurch. who so happily inaugurated the contest by presenting the trophy. The proceedings last Saturday commenced with a luncheon in the Wellington Club's pavilion, to which tl»c Auckland visitors were invited, in common with visiting competitors in tho big tournament from as far south as Invereargill. Unfortunately Mr. J. M. Thomson, president of the Carlton Club, was unable to attend, as be was not fooling particularly well after the long train journey, but several speakers made very complimentary reference to the Thomson Shield, which he had recently instituted on very similar lines to the Friendly Bowl. In his absence a former president of the club. Mr. S. E. Lamb, had his name coupled with tho toast of "The Visitors." ami a response was also made by Mr. Gregory Osmonrl, of the Auckland Club, and Mr. Ham, (lie well-known bowler of Invereargill. Mr. Steve Barneft, son of the donor of the bowl, said that if Auckland bowlers received as much pleasure out of (he contest for the Thomson Shield as Christchni-ch nnd Wellington bad pot out of the Friendly Bowl, his father's wish would be still further realised, in the promotion of good fellowship among bwlers. Mr. .1. B. Brinsden. president of the Wellington Bowling Club, who will bo so happily remembered in connection with the visit to Auckland last month, gave the chief toast, "The Christchurch Bowling Club," and jocularly remarked, in reference to the storm that happened to be blowing in Wellington. that he had even greater fear regarding their ability to defeat the visitors than in heating the elements. His forecast was justified, for Christeluirch won in each of the four rinks. However, they would have taken home the trophy in any case, in accordance with the custom that has been followed in the case, of the Thomson Shield: the visitors take it. whether they win or lose. The whole function was very enjoyable, and if one could judge from the number of times that, various people were assured that (hey were "jolly good fellows." this annual fixture must exceed in interest, the wildest, dreams of the donor of the famous trophy. Tournament Umpires. One of the most striking novelties in the singles championship which is to be concluded to-day, is that in the opening rounds independent umpires were obtained, or rather "markers,'' as they very properly call (hem in Wellington. A great effort has been marie in the direction of securing uniformity in umpiring at this tournament, following up the system that started in Auckland two years ago. and further observations on their methods will appear in the Sports Edition on Snturday. An interesting decision was made at the last, meeting or the Wellington tournament committee: the finals of the pairs championship will be played on the second Friday afternoon This is President's Day, anrl it was originally intended to have nothing on that afternoon but a rink match between North and South. This latest, decision is certainly a move in the right direction, for there will be only three or four loft, in the pairs after the first week, leaving one or two semi-finals, according to whether there are three or four still "'alive." and tho final itself, so that those could easily be run off in the one afiernoon. Next to holding President's Day on the second day of the singles, as it was in Auckland, this, is probably the best that could be done, for it will give distinction to the afternoon, whereas it will surely be difficult to work up much enthusiasm about a match between North and South. Il will not be surprising if most of the competitors prefer to see the pairs' finals. The Wellington bowlers ere laying themselves out to give visitors a good time, and have mapped out a most enjoyable programme. Wellington weather has boon on its good behaviour lately. Until last Friday there had been magnificent weather for a fortnight, but a disagreeable wind rather marred the pleasure of Saturday's social games. Since then everything has gone off well, the only two showers having both fallen at, night. Anniversary Day Tournament. In view of the phenomenal success of the two-day tournament at Remuera at New Year and the equally enjoyable function on a smaller scale at St. Helier's. it has boon suggested that the same scheme could be carried out at the end of this month. Anniversary Day falls on a Thursday, and if two or three clubs would run off a two-day tournament on the Thui.-day and Saturday, it would allow of the full programme of three games of 21 heads on each day, and the finals could be played on the following Saturday afternoon. Tho experience at New Year confirms the impression that bowlers infinitely prefer the full games to the nine-head or eleven-head games that have to be squeezed into the scramble that usually takes place on such holidays as Labour Day and King's Birthday. the beginning and the end of the summer bowling season in Auckland. In connection with Anniversary Day there is no necessity for this rush, except for those who are not free on the Saturday morninc. and if a few clubs would announce a tournament on the lines indicated they would supply a felt want. It might, oven be worth while for one club to take the Thursday and Friday. running off the finals on the Saturday. but this must not be overdone, as the majority of bowlers could more conveniently enter for the Thursday and Saturday.