BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 163, 12 July 1928, Page 15

BOWLING.

FEDERATING THE EMPIRE. THE CALL TO THE DOMINIONS. AX EPOCH-MAKING EVENT. ' (By TRUNDLER.) The cablegram this week was quite expected, intimating that a seat on the International Bowling Board was to be offered to Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, for Mr. Melbourne Orchard's advices to that effect were published in this column some months ago. The only surprise is that there is no mention of Canada, for the great Dominion is in very close communication with the British Isles, and there is a frequent interchange of visits. Until advice is received to the contrary, it may be fairly safely assumed that the name of Canada has been omitted from the cablegram in error. It will be a great source of satisfaction to Mr. J. W. Hardley and his party that their itinerary was specially arranged so that they should be in Scotland at the time of the special meeting of the 1.8.8., where this proposal was to be brought forward, for the presen e of such a large party from overseas, and especially the enthusiastic oratory of their leader, would go a long way towards dispelling any doubts as to whether the time was not fully ripe to federate the whole Empire in the bonds of bowling. It will 1-robably be found that the new 1.8.8. will consist of three members each for England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and one each for the four self-governing Dominions. The Team in England. Several English papers make amusing' references to the war-cry of the New Zealand touring team, and one adds that it did not have the desired effect on one green, in striking terror into the hearts of their opponents, "in spite of the jaw-breaking Maori words." However, the Maori for the famous chorus, "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," which seems to have been given on most greens, is not much worse, if any, than the Welsh chorus which they had to learn in one place, beginning, "Hen wlad fy Nhadan." One writer states that our war-cry is "a most ferocious affair," and suggests that their Parks Committee might well consider a warcry competition as the hair-raising stunt for which they are looking, to enliven the Bank Holiday fete. It is not very clear who are the leaders in our warcry effort, whereas Messrs. Eagleton and Rowe were the "choirmasters" during the trip to Melbourne last Christ .mas, but one photograph seems to show Mr. Coutts leading a haka in the true attitude of a Rangatira of the Savages, and one paper mentions that they discovered a "capital voice" in Mr. J. A. Dohertv, of Wellington, who sang a bowling song on one green, with the party joining in the well-known chorus, "As We Go Bowling On." Letters for the Touring Party. As anticipated last week, it is now too late to write any more letters to catch the party while they are still in England, for they are going to adhere to their original plan, and leave Southampton on August 11, just six months after leaving Wellington. Letters by the 'Frisco mail next Monday should be addressed to the care of Mr. R. T. McLean, 26, Lombard £ "reet, Toronto. He is secretary of the Canadian Bowling Association, who are arranging the ftinerary through Canada and the United States, and he will send on any letters to the bowlers. This address will only hold good for next Monday's mail, for most likely a ire eh

address will have to be given for the Vancouver mail a fortnight later. One letter last week mentioned that most of the party had received very few letters and papers, so those who have a few minutes to spare during the weekend' should write to some of them, if only to assure them that they are doing better than any touring team that has ever visited New Zealand. Winter Bowling in the Tropics. The Suva carnival started well, so far as Auckland is concerned, K. Millen's Epsom rink winning in the first round, but the composite rink (from Devon port, Whangarei, Epsom and Christchurch) were not so fortunate. The entry of the second rink enables New Zealand to play for the Pacific Pennant, and aS there are apparently four entries it looks as if they can get through the three rounds in one day. There is sure to be an entry of two rinks from Fiji, and a private letter from Australia advises that South Australia sent twelve players, and Victoria fifteen. New South Wales, for the first time, is sending only one rink, so they cannot very well get in, unless there are four more players now resident in Fiji. All New Zealand bowlers would be glad to note that Mr. Caughley, late Director of Education, and one of tiie best-known players in Wellington, has already joined up with the bowlers of Suva, and has entered a rink. Obituary. The sympathy of all bowlers will be extended to Mr. A. F. Hooper and his family, in connection with the death of his wife, which occurred a few days ago. Mr. Hooper has never aspired to the spectacular fame on the green that has been achieved on the green table by his brother Jack, but he is one of the many consistent players who have kept the Takapuna Club well to the front in big tournaments, while his work on the executive of his cluo has earned the high regard ol the members. Only the older generation of bowlers will remember Mr. James Gilmour in the heyday of career, for it is twenty years since he won the singles championship of the parent club, and two years earlier he skipped the championship club pairs. His death last week, at the ripe age of over four score years, removes one of the stalwarts of the game, and a familiar figure at the annual veterans' reunion.