BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 9, 5 October 1927, Page 8

BOWLS

OPENING DAY NEAR Up tp tho present only Eastbourne and Karori Clubs have ventured to open their greens for play, lor opening functions usually commence in October. There will be four or five clubs opening on Saturday, but several of tho clubs arc deferring it lsth, and may be one or two win not open till the 22nd. They aro afraid of a break in the weather, and playing on soft greens docs no good to the ends pl the rinks. There were not many visitors present at Karori last Saturday, but several of the veteran members turned up. Air. G. A. Hart, tho city engineer, has joined the Karori Club, and although out of practice for some years will not be long iu gelling back to concert pitch judging by the way he bowled on Saturday. Bowl Testing.

Several times the question has been asked as to whether all bowls will require to be tested and stamped this season. Well, one can only go by the rules as revised in September last year, which provide: “The D.N.Z.B.A. 1925 and the stamps of subsequent years aro now' the only Dominion stamps recognised.” I am not aware that this rule has since been revised, and as it is in pretty plain English it should answer the question satisfactorily. Even though bearing a recognised stamp, bowls are still liable to be challenged, and if any bowl is found not to comply with the laws of tho game the “competitor playing such bowl shall be disqualified from the match in which ho is taking part and the game awarded to his opponent.” Any committee conducting an association tournament is required to ascertain that bowls to bo 'used bear a recognised stamp.' Now that the season’s play is about to begin, bowlers might profitably read over the rules of the game and study unfamiliar points. A little knowledge in this direction will often save a jot of trouble. More Clubs Wanted.

The difficulty the clubs are experiencing in giving all their members a game in tho pennants, even under the new arrangement, would seem to indicate that there is room for two or three more bowling clubs around the city. At present Seatoun, Lyall Bay, and Ilataitai have to servo these districts, and also M iramar, Kilbirnie, Evans Bay. Karaka Bay, and the adjoining bays. Newtown has to serve a very large population, and Island Bay could do with more room, Berbamporo having to go there or to Newtown. Wellington Club although possessing two greens, and already by far the biggest membership in the centre, has. all its work cut out to provide for all. for Brooklyn, k ogeltown, and Mornington have no green as yet.' Wadostown and Northland have Karon, Kelburn. or Thorndon as their nearest greens, but if a flat, spot could be found at Wadestown no doubt something might be done there. What about Hie gully below the new rood which is being cut from Margaret Street- at Hie present time? From what I have seen of it an ideal bowling green could to made here, and it is a fairly sheltered snot, with delightful surroundings. A gully is being filled in at Central Park, which, it is understood, will bo made into the first municipal bowling green in Wellington. but this will not he tor a rear or two. unless snpeial attention is given Io it. What does tho Reserve Committed say to speeding this work up. Municipal bowling greens are iisunllv a pnyin- proposition. and I gather that the director ■ of reserves is not at all averse to the idea. Greens Improved.

It is satisfactory tn hear that Newtown and Lyall Bay greens, which have not been too good for the last season or two. are greatly improved, a lot of good work having been done since last season.

Oneninq on Saturday. Hutt, Victoria, and Island Bay Clubs aro opening their greens next Saturday.