BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 15, 19 January 1931, Page 14

BOWLING.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP RINKS.

SATURDAY'S RESULTS.

THREE MORE ROUNDS TO-UAY.

(By TRUNDLER.)

Magnificent weather on Saturday enabled the programme to be brought up to date, after the interruption caused by a heavy shower the previous evening, and with six rounds now completed and published the competitors have doubtless been estimating their chances for qualifying. On present appearances there will be no section won or tied with six wins, so only those who had secured four or more wins by Saturday evening are really in the hunt. In any case, it would be noted that even if one section did happen to tie with six wins, it would, bring in only these, and not also all the sixes in the other eections, as it did four years ago. The results up to the end of the sixth round, concluded on Saturday, will be perused with interest, especially if read in conjunction with the seventh round, played this morning, published, in another column. Two more rounds will be played this afternoon, and post-eec-tion play will commence to-morrow morning on the Carlton green. ■ The social on Saturday evening, tendered to the competitors and their ladies by the president of the association, Mr. James Pascoe, and Mrs. Pascoe, will go down in the records as a new milestone in the path of progress. This is not* merely on account of the high standard of the programme submitted —although the immense audience would thoroughly appreciate the work of the artists who assisted —but because it gave such a favourable opportunity for bowlers to meet each other. On this account it was doubtless owing to the late hour of starting, owing to the play in some sections lasting till it was nearly dark, that the.supper adjournment was not even a little longer, for the hum of conversation during this interval clearly showed that everybody in the hall was utilising the time to discuss matters of mutual interest. It was a happy thought for the president to invite the vice-president, Mr. H. B. Oakey, of Christchurch, to address the meeting, and the latter clearly indicated his pleasure in facing such a large gathering of bowlers, accompanied by their wives and daughters. His warm congratulations rang true, for he added that Christchurch would next year follow the example of the Auckland president, and he gsurc a cordial invitation to Auckland bowlers to compete in the tournament in the city of the plains next January. As probably not more than 5 per cent of those present will be able to vieit Christchurch, the opportunity to see and hear the president-elect was much appreciated, and musical honours were added to the call of the president for cheers for the future president.

A Call From Australia. . What can oiic say about the thoughtful addresses of the overseas visitors, Mr. John Scott, president of the N.S.W. Bowling Association, and a member of the .Australian Bowling Council, and Mr. James Wall, patron and past-president of the N.5.W.8.A.? All who had heard them 'speak during their previous visits would be quite prepared for the higli tone they struck, Mr. Scott emphasising the keen desire of Australia for cultivating even closer relations with New Zealand. To that end he and the other bowlers had come as representatives of the Commonwealth, first to join in our tournament, and then to Invite the New Zealand bowlers to the great Australian carnival, to be held in Brisbane next August.. He paid a generous compliment to the bowlers of New Zealand, not only in acknowledging their superiority as players, but also in stating that for the coming carnival it had been decided to adopt the New Zealand system of playing the rink championship in sections. It is always a pleasure to listen to Mr. Wall, and on this occasion he took as his theme the good influence of the game in promoting the solidity of the British Empire, a point which lias often been advanced in this column as one of prime importance. Mr. Wall was careful to avoid all controversial matter, and followed the line of action adopted by Mr. Ramsay MacDopald during his visit to the United States, when he said that he did not go there to make treaties, but to create an atmosphere favourable for making treaties. Could anyone imagine any two visitors more likely to create a friendly atmosphere between New Zealand and Australia than Mr. Scott and Mr. Wall? It is no wonder that Mr. Wall enthused on the high destiny of bowling in shaping the future relations of our two countries.

Although nobody expected Mr. Tom Yates to speak, there was a scene of pleasurable excitement and anticipation when he appi-oached the platform, for a good proportion of the audience had heard the N.S.W. vice-president on previous occasions. It seemed most appropriate, therefore, that he should declare himself feeling quite at home among friends when he came to Auckland, although those who know him best would probably detect from his voice that he seemed rather appalled at the immense sea of faces confronting him, friendly though they were. His special mission was to convey the thanks of the Australian party for the welcome accorded them by the bowlers of Auckland, and to make a presentation to the secretary of the association, Mr. George Gladding. The applause which greeted his announcement showed that this graceful acknowledgement of the Auckland efforts to promote their enjoyment was very much appreciated.

The Dominion Council. The half-yearly meeting of the council was held on Friday evening, but the only business of immediate interest and urgency was the official invitation to the bowlers of New Zealand to take part in the' Australian carnival next August. Mr. Scott gave this invitation personally, on behalf of the Australian Council, and it was accepted at once. It was decided to close the entries on June 1, and they will, presumably come to the secretary of the association through the various centresj details being left to the Auckland .executive. For the .benefit of competitors now on a visit to this city, it may, be mentioned that any number may enter for the singles championship and .the rink championship, but selectors will be appointed • to • choose those who arc to represent New Zealand in the Test matches arid also in the inter-State matches. All-who enter will get at least eight matches, for the first time in the history of Australian bowling, and' the chosen' 'four or eix rinks will get an additional eight or nine matches, thus offering the most attractive programme that has ever been put before New Zeaalnd bowlers as an inducement to cross the Tasinan Sea.