BOWLING CARNIVAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2971, 8 January 1917, Page 11

BOWLING CARNIVAL

DOMINION ASSOCIATION'S PATRIOTIC TOURNAMENT

OPENING TO-DAY ' The fourth tournament of the Do-i minion Bowling Association, and tho first held in Wellington under its auspices, will commence on all greens here at 9 o'clock sharp this morning. The official opening will take place at the Wellington Ciub's green, where tbo president (Colonel K. J. Collins) will make a<s]ji;eeli appropriate to the occasion, and on other greens the club presidents will brietly declare the tournament open. The event is a notable one in the history of bowls. There was a time, not so very remote, when the administration of bowls in New Zealand wits not the concern of this association. There were three associations in existence, the Is'ew Zealand Bowling Association (which controlled the game in tho South Island), the Northern Bowling Association in the North Island, and a subsidiary association to the latter, which only operated in the Auckland district. The wiseheads in the game long ago camo to tlie conclusion thai it would be much better if an amalgamation were brought about, ana as tho result of some more or less delicnte negotiation, that much-desired end was achieved some live years ago, thanks in.a great measure to the line feeling that existed between Wellington and Christehureh bowlers. There were some conservative minds who thought it best to leavo well alone—some, indeed/ frankly opposed to amalgamation—but wise counsels prevailed, and the bond of brotherhood that knits bowls like the spirit of Freemasonry was forged. The first tournament under the new association was held in Dunedin four years ago, tho second in Auckland, tile third in Christehureh, and to-day the fourth commences in Wellington. ' It is 'fitting to mention that this year's president (Colonel 11. J. Collins) was one of the most ardent advocates of amalgamation from the outset, and there should be a note of pride in his remarks, as the present tournament will be the biggest ever held in Australasia. It will consist of champion pairs, singles and rinks, North v. South Island .match, and a full rink tournament by electric light (to-mor-row and Wednesday evenings). Prizes will be given for the electric light tournament, but certificates only will bo given to the winners of championships, as the net proceeds are to be devoted to the Patriotic Funds. TO-DAY'S PLAY. 1 The tournament.will begin at 9 a.m. with tho champion pairs, in which 224 bowlers will engage. These are divided into 14 sections of 16 pairs, and will play three games each (of 16 heads). Sections winners and ties will then play off on the "sudden death" principle. The champion singles will commence to-morrow morning, and at 2 p.m. the pairs (semi-finals) will bo continued on tho Wellington Club's green. On Wednesday tho finals of the pairs and singlos will bo played, as well as the North v. South Islaacl match. During tho afternoon tbo president will give an "at borne" on tho Wellington Club's green. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday will be devoted to section play (three 21-hoad games a, day) in tha champiou rinks, find Monday and Tuesday of next week will see the section winners figlit out to a finish. ; Thoso officials in charge of-greens will' greatly assist tho seorelary (Mr. J." J. Roberts) if they willforward tho results to the Wellington green (by telephone) as soon as possible,after tho round is -completed. ( ELECTRIC LIGHT CARNIVAL. The Wellington Bowling Club's-green will present an unusual sight to-morrow oveiimg, when the club's, picturesque ground is given over to the electric ■ light carnival. Each of tho two greens will be lighted by huge lamps aggregating 12,000 candlo power, ' which should make the lawns as light as day, providing splendid scops for tho draw-ing-competitions to bo hold, for which numerous 'entries are being received. The unusual spectacle of bowls by electric light will not be the' only attraction. The Trentham Camp Band will be in attendance, nnd Mr. E. J. Hill has arranged-an admirable al fresco concert programme in connection with which tho balcony of tho big pßvilion will servo as a stage. The publio are invited to attond in large numbers, and as the charge for admission is only one shilling per head, and nil the money is to be devoted to patriotic purposes, there-;is little- doubt that the attendance will.be a large one. Only fine weather is needed to ensure a splendid evening's entertainment under entirely novel conditions. KHAKI ON THE GREEN. Five N.C.O.'s'from the .Trentham Camp will participate in 'the big bowling tournamentr-Staff-Sergeant Taylor (Tβ Kuiti), Sorgts: F. Burbush (AuckWd), Columb (Christchurch), Compton (Christehureh), and Brown (Gisborne). The rink entree consists of the first four named men in khaki, with Compton as skin. In the pairs, Burbush doubles with Taylor and Compton with Brown.