BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 261, 3 November 1926, Page 14

BOWLING.

TEE MODERN FASHION.

OPENING BY WIRELE-*.-:'

ißy TRUNDLER.)

The president of the DominiaBowling Association, Mr. J. W. Hardley, has put up a good many records, but one of the most interesting occurred a few days before lie left for his tour of the South Island. The president of the Stratford Bowling Club wrote that he and the Mayor of Stratford had installed a receiving set at the pavilion for the opening day, and they Invited Mr. Hardley to open the club's new season by wireless. Which be did- Some people thought that the president put up a fine record wben he rushed round last Saturday week, delivering an address at ten official openings in the city and suburbs, but when other peoiple are as up-to-date as the Taranaki bowlers this will be far easier than breaking into a game like they had to do here- Perhaps in 1930 the president of the D.B.A. will stand on the balcony of West End. or Devonport, or Carlton, or wherever he belongs, and under the inspiration of a couple of hundred upturned faces he will deliver an oration that will be broadcasted all over tlie Dominion, not only officially opening the 50 or (w clubs that will then exist in Auckland, but tile whole of the :if)o or 400 in the Dominiom to the delight o. the _0,000 .bowlers Ln attendance at the varioug greens. That will be something like an official opening, whereas the verbatim report of the president's address to Stratford, as recorded in the "Taranaki Daily News,"' seems to indicate that it was delivered in cold blood, for it lacks the fire and energy with which the president seems to be always endowed when he personally addresses his brother-bowlers.

Next Saturday is a free day with most clubß, but on the following Saturday the first round in the pennant matches will be played. Members would greatly facilitate the work of the selectors by giving-early intimation if they are likeiy to be away, for it ia very disorganising to have to find substitutes after making up the teams, and it often causes delay in startingA C_i__i-*t_* of Dates. The summer mid-week tournaments commence next Wednesday, when Grey Lynn will conduct a pairs, and Onehunga a full rink. It was understood that these tournaments were to be sanctioned by the centre executive, in order to avoid clashing, but the clashing is worse than ever. i'liere are plenty of Wednesdays during the summer season, and yet, on no less than three occasions three clubs are holding a tournament. on then same day, while on tour other occasions two clubs are clashing. The experience last year showed that only one tournament could be tilled on one day, so that, no doubt, the clubs interested will take steps to adjust their ilates where necesary. Bowling at the Islands. Mr. Alf Coutts (Carlton) has returned from his trip to the Islands, very greatly improved in health, as one might gather from the fact that he played in the all-day tournament on Labour Day, and thoroughly enjoyed irHe found no bowling at Rarotonga and Papeete, but hs heard that Captain Vellemoweth had started a club at Aitutaki, and if there had been suitable communication at the time, he would certainly have gone across to present to them the compliments of the New Zealand bowlers. In a private letter to an Auckland friend, the captain writes that they have received quite a number of bowls from New Zealand, but they could probably do with a few more, if any one has a discarded pair. Just at present, however, what his young club moat urgently wants is a set of instructions for beginners. Of course, he has the- rules, and the new rules now being printed will be sent by an early mail, but if any of our club coaches could spare an hour to tabulate the system of play in simple form, it would be much appreciated by a club where there is not a single member who knows even the rudiments of the game.

Australian Interest in N.Z. Mr. A. J. Parker writes that he entertained the New South Wales Bowling Association executive at a luncheon, in order to put before them the attractions of the Dominion tournament. He round, however, that January does not suit, aa it interferes with their country carnival and the pennant matches, so that, if any official touring party came, it will, most likely, be towards the end of February. A steamer arrives from Sydney at a suitable time to allow a few days here, and then go to the second Rotorua tournament, and, possibly, this may be the deciding factor in arranging the itinerary. " For the Dominion tournament itself, only one Syilney rink is so far made up, viz., .1. Hyland. H. Davis, R. T. Harrison, B. Stone: but Mr. Parker has heard of three other players who are looking for a fourth man to make up a rink. The "Referee states that rinks have been made up from South Australia and Queensland, and no doubt, an early mail will bring more particulars, for Mr. Parker is now in Melbourne for a fortnight, and •will then spend a week in Adelaide. Mr. George Redmond writes from Sydney that only eight names were handed in at Brisbane for the Queensland tour of the Dominion, so it has been abandoned, and any rinks competing here nest January will have to be made up privately. He says they are all talking about it in Sydney, as the clubs have received the posters, but the inconvenient date seems to be the stumbling block.

Their new interest is proved by the fact that they actually ran off their recent president's trophy competition on the Mew Zealand two-life system, whereas, only a few months ago, they would not give it a hearing. The trophy was won by the Waverly Gub, and an official party visited the green to make the formal presentation. In accordance with the usual custom, when there happens to be in Sydney what "Bowlinfr Life" falls "a distinguished New Zealand bowler" like Arthur Parker, the latter was invited to play in the president's rink and he took the opportunity to invito them to Auckland, where they would see the two-life system more, elaborately worked out. The president of the club, Mr. E. Howes, and the winning skip in tlie tournament. Mr. W. Staley, both spoke well of the system, apparently justifying the opinion expressed in this column that when once they aa*** it in operation they ■would take to it.