N.Z. TOUR OF AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27075, 25 June 1953, Page 12

N.Z. TOUR OF AUSTRALIA

REPORT BY CAPTAINMANAGER The captain-manager (Mr A. B. Davis) and the vice-captain (Mr A. A. Duncan) of the New Zealand bowling team which visited Australia were congratulated on their management and success, at the annual conference of the New Zealand Bowling Association yesterday. In a report to the conference yesterday, Mr Davis said that the numbers competing in the Australian championships were of interest. In the pairs championship, there were 1216 pairs, divided into 304 sections of four pairs each, each pair playing three sectional matches of 15 ends. '‘Unfortunately, there were a large number of defaulters, some pairs qualifying without playing a bowl,” Mr Davis said. In the singles championship there were 1538 entrants. “The final, played between G. Bosito (Victoria) and D. Downie (Newcastle). was well worth watching,” said Mr Davis. "Bosito proved to be the best player in Australia by winning easily for the fourth time in succession.”

As a result of the tour, interest had been stimulated among Australian bowlers, and a return visit to New Zealand had been suggested, Mr Davis said. The president of the Australian Bowling Centre said that should an invitation be extended during his term of office, he and his wife would certainly be in the party to tour New Zealand. Other associations had also expressed their willingness to assist with a tour of the Dominion. ■

Regarding differences found in Australia and New Zealand, Mr Davis said that the first was the marking of a centre line near the end of each rink, which was of great assistance in centring the kitty, and also the mat which was often ftlaced 20 feet from the ditch. A chalk ine was also placed six feet from the ditch. The mat was shifted varying distances up the green, much more than in New Zealand. This practice saved the surface at the ends, Mr Davis said. In Melbourne and Brisbane, many of the scoreboards were like a clock face with three hands, one for each side’s score and the other to mark the ends. Elsewhere the scoreboards were metal frames with numbered plates hung on, which were turned over to show the score. “The pavilions in New South Wales especially are finely appointed and are financed mainly through the revenue from poker machines and bars,” Mr Davis said. "Nearly all the clubs in other states have well appointed bars and are conducted as social clubs.”