SUMMER BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 245, 17 October 1933, Page 12

SUMMER BOWLING.

OFFICIAL OPENINGS.

MARKED BY WET WEATHER. PLANS TOR LABOUR DAY. (By TKUNDLER.) After thirteen months of an almost unbroken succession of line Saturdays, there was keen disappointment when another sveek ol peiiect weather was interrupted by fairly ueavy ruin at tlie very hour iixed lor tne ohiciui of so many bowling ciubs last BaturUiiy. However, it in woudenul how' quickly people devise means tor making tne best of a b<id situation, and there seemed to be no great dilliculty in making attenioou tea spin out lor a couple of hours. The tune was all the mole enjoyable from the fact that Hi most of the gatherings α-good many had not seen each other for twelve months, and in some cases for mole than that number of years, in fact, a suggestion was heard, apparently given in all .seriousness, that it was a pity it did not always nun on opening days, lor in the ordinary way the bowlers were so intent ou their twine that they would hardly speak to anybody. A very popular hit was made by Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.l', lor Manukau, when addressing the Onehunga opening. Remarking on the great increase in the world-wide popularity of bowls, he suggested that bowling could now be claimed as a game on which the sun never set. But still the bowlers were not satisfied, and they hud postponed the setting of the sun by introducing daylight .saving. So far as he was concerned he could promise to do his share towards giving them the extra month for which they were now asking, in order to extend the period over Easter. The suggestion made by the president of the centre, Mr. Raymond Sheath., at the .Mount Eden opening, that it was Auckland's turn to pay a visit to Tarauaki during the coming summer, was not brought forward any too soon, for it can only be an assured success if the prospective tourists make an early decision to definitely reserve a wceK l'or the tour. Most bowlers make at least one holiday tour during the summer, and some make three or four, so it seems to be only a matter of including the trip to Tarauaki before they complete their arrangements. In the meantime it is quite easy to consult ..nose wiio have made the trip on previous occasions, in order to ascertain whether they could spend a more pleasurable week than by enjoying the hospitality of the bowling clubs in Taranaki. The members of the Mount Eden Bowling Club were able to appreciate to the full on Saturday their foresight in building such a commodious pavilion on their splendid new territory in Nicholson Park, for the game is now so well established that any club in a populous neighbourhood can afford to build a little in advance of immediate requirements. In fact, some clubs are inclined to congratulate themselves on having planned their pavilions in such a way so as to allow for future extensions, and any further increases in membership may soon sec this facility utilised. Those who had seen only the old pavilion in the former grounds at Grey Lynn would receive n pleasant surprise at the opening last Saturday, for the newpavilion is quite in keeping with the fine condition into which the new greens have been brought. The members must be under a deep debt of gratitude to the ladies of the district, for they , always seem to be giving most valuable assistance at all the official functions. It is very likely owing to their willing help that the club lias become almost a social club for the district in the winter, and President Curtis was quite justified in expressing the obligation of the members to the ladies in the course of his admirable speech of welcome. The natural disappointment at Balmoral, consequent on the rain preventing play, was compensated in the evening, when the members and their wives enjoyed the hospitality of the new president, Mr. A. C. Bush, at a social in the pavilion. A capital programme was submitted, and dancing made the evening paes all too quickly. At the Grey Lynn opening a timely reminder was given by Mr. S. Coldicutt regarding the necessity for players to get their bowls weighed and measured, in order to ascertain if they will conform to the ecale that the New Zealand Bowling Council will be considering next January. All the particulars have been published, and the council will be very largely guided by the information received as to whether there will be many bowls affected if the new scale is enforced.

Next Saturday nearly nil the remaining clubs will open their summer season, informally at Auckland and West End, and officially at Carlton, Edcndale,. Ellorslie, Epsom, Hallyburton Johnstone, Mount Albert, New Lynn, Otahuhu, Ponsonby, Rawhiti.'Remuera and Stanley. This is the usual procedure, in order to clear the way for the Labour Day tournaments fixed for Balmoral, Epeom, Grey Lynn, Henderson, Hillsboro'. Mount Albert, Mount Eden, Onehunga, Ponsonby, Stanley and Waiteinata. There will also be the usual rink tournament of the Northern Waikato Sub-centre at Pukekohe. Tliie week there is a full entry for the rink tournament at Rocky Nook on Wednesday, and New Lynn will stage a similar event on Wednesday of next

week. The proposed match for the Denison Pins last Saturday wae out of the question, so the members of E. Jury'e Ponsonby rink will retain these trophies until they, and aleo R. J. Allely'e Mount Albert rink, are free from their summer engagements, most likely early next Mny,' when the winter series will be resumed ae usual in all the challenge matches. Additional interest will be given to the winter challenges next year by the institution of tlie "Diggers' Badges," presented by Mr. D. Dickeon (Carlton), and the donor himself will be the first defending skip, supported by three returned 6oldierß. Diggers nave been quick off the mark to take their turn in these matches, and challencofi have already been entered by .T K. Ross fOneliunpal, W. A. Loram (Eoeky Nook), F. A. Ilosking fPukekohe), J. Maud (Edendnle), and H. L. Joll (Ellerslie). As in all the other challenge matches, only one rink may bo entered from each club, but the waiting list has boon etnrted by a ehallenffo from W. A. Cndwallnder (Rocky Nook), whose name will be transferred to the permanent list when Loram is defeated.

ROTORUA CLUB'S OPENING. ROTOBTTA, Monday. Tho opening of llio bowling RPamin in Rotorua was almost completely spoiled by hpiivy rain. Rink? wore present from Taurancn, Taurnnga South'. Te Pal and Piitnrnru. hut Way wns imposslhlp. Tim presidi'iit, Mr. 11. Hamilton, briefly nddrosspcl Ilif pnthcriii? nnd nn nrljournmnnt was then made to the tea kiosk for refreshments.

Work for more than 26,000 men in 2375 vessels is provided by the coastal trade round Britain. In addition, tens of thousands are employed at the various harbours and decks.