BOWLS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1229, 11 September 1911, Page 2

BOWLS.

SOME GREEN IMPROVEMENTS. TIIE COMING SEASON. Tho longing to get hold of tho bowis always conies with the first whisper of spring. It has already seized on many . bowlers, and ns it is most infectious it will have spread considerably before tho • opening of the season at the end of tho month. As usual, the caretakers of tho various greens have not been idle during • the recess. The bowler may hibernate, but tho work of the conscientious care- • taker of a bowling green never.ceases, Members of (he Wellington Club will • receive a welcome surprise on visiting tho • green. The Beautifying Committee have sprung some good ideas, which, together with the improvements made in connection with tho back greens, have added a ' touch of tho picturosquo to the club'a lino property. Bowlers vill remember that the back green was put cut of action, halfway through last season in order that ■ there should be no hindrance to the work of erecting the stone and brick wall which ' divides the green from the premises which front Upper Willis Street, on the south side of tho pavilion. This wall has been , extended to tho back line, of (he club's . properly, and'raised at tho southern end' to the level of the old tenuis court, which ■ has been extended out to tho wall (which adds another six feet to its length), and, ; converted into a fine three-rink green. A solid sod bank about 2ft. Gin. aiiovc the level of tho green has been made against the , irull, so that those who cannot draw may ■ drive—with safety. An improvement, too, has been effected ornamentally by erecting several fancy archways in wiro in different p.irts of" the ground, over which it is intended to train climbing roses. ' Whilo they add an aesthetic touch, these archways and a lattice screen which has ' been built in front of the pavilion will act , as brenkwinds. A select'on of good rosea has also been planted at the- northern end of the ground, and a wiro screen has been. ■ erected on the wall near the main entrance. On the last two or three Wednesday and Saturday afternoons members have been bowling on the tennis conn. The Thorndon Club's greens, both upper and lower, will present a. better surface than last year. Tho lawn on the old green, which was resown a year ago, was a littlo weak last year. 10 is now vigorously strong and should stand a good deal more wear.than was prudent to give it last year. Thorndon always ha* a good show of flowers—it will not bo behind this summer. Victoria cannot do much more with its admirable littlo green than has been done. Its form is always pretty good, and tho levels true. Some minor improvements have been mado about the pavilion and nn ornamental iron fence (presented by Mr. W. Mack) is to be erected on tho top of tho back before the pavilion. Mr. Ogden has the green in tip-top condition. Victoria will open on Octolwr 7. For keenness—Newtown. The quality of a green goes a long way towards making the bowler, and that Newtown men arc such good match-players is largely accountable by the keen quality of its green, Tim surroundings have been titivated up a bit during the recess and members will hnvo nothing: to complain of with the green. The Karori Club is of tho opinion that its green will vie -with any in tho city this season. While sonic of tho old clubs have had to dig up and resow their green 9 lately, ICarori has been developing from tho crude to the finished article. It played well last .year and promises to bo even bettor this.'' At Kclburno there is little to report in the way of" change lietweeu last and this year's Reasons, 'Die green is looking very' healthy. A movement is afo<rt to get a larger and more handsome pavilion. A picturesquo pavilion would certainly add to the appearance of tho property and would be serviceable for social Junctions. ITataitai and Khandallah are doing verywell. Sinco last season (lie new greens havo had a chance to harden up, and . in both cases tho greens are bound tq_bo truer than was the case' lasfyeaF. "*""" Though several of the clubs have not yet fixed their opening dates, it is pretty safe to conclude that they will divide up tlio9o functions between Saturday, Sep/ ' touiber' 3D,' October 7, and October U.