BOWLS WITHOUT BIAS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 70, 15 December 1933, Page 17

BOWLS WITHOUT BIAS

Poor Entries Received for Tournaments ARE THE FEES TOO HIGH? (By “Kitty.”) “You’ll come round to my way of thinking yet,” said Mr. Win. Pawson (Petone Central) when the number of entries for the centre’s rink tournament at Christinas 'was announced at the last centre meeting. The number of entries was only 34, even after all the clubs had been communicated with by the secretary over the telephone. Mr. Pawson’s remark was another reminder of his sturdy opposition to the raising of the amount of the entrance fees for this competition. It was stated quite openly at the meeting that the Newtown! Club, which used to enter three or foul rinks regularly, had entered none because the entrance fees were-too high. ■ There appears to be something in the contention, as some years ago this Christmas rink -competition used . to attract from 50 to 60 entries, yet this year the entries are down to 34, though a valiant effort is to be made to bring them up to 40. Is not the small entry received for the New Year. Pairs due to the same factor? Up to the time of the meeting only 20 entries were' received, when three times that number would not be at all out of the way. It would seem that the centre had not yet gauged the extent to which the prevailing depression had affected bowlers. Tournament play is very enjoyable to a keen bowler, but the fees (on .top of what he pays to his club) can make it too expensive for many pockets. . Hutt Valley Tourney.

The entries for the Hutt' Valley Clubs popular rink tournament, to commence on Monday, January 1, are to dose on December 18. The prizes offered are trophies valued at £8 for the winning rink, and £4 for the runners-up. Effect of Sununcr-time.

Mr. Charles Bennett (Hataitai) raised an interesting point at the centre meeting. As the Summer-time period had been extended by Parliament, he was of the . opinion that the dates' of the local champion rinks, pairs, and singles, might be thrown forward a fortnight. He made the suggestion, because he said that most of the clubs found the time all too short to find who their champions were by competition as set out in the rules. Another fortnight’s time would make all. the difference.

Mr. H. G. Mayer strongly opposed the Idea, as they were having a-, good season, and were right up to schedule time with their competitions. The Wellington club had been able to find its champions by competition last year. Mr. L. MeNabb (secretary) testified that he had received certificates from every club last season to the effect that the championship nominees had been found in the manner prescribed by the rules.

Although there is,to be a pairs tournament at the New liar in .Wellington, it was freely suggested .at the centre meeting that, in vigjv of the small entry, it should be abandoned. That course would probably have been followed had it not been for Mr. C. Bennett, who implied that it would be undignified for the.,centre to abandon .the fixture, which should be held, even if there were only 20 entries. Up t-> that point the secretary had received 19 entries, but Mr. V. Dimoek offered to mt&e the twentieth, Subsequently, the date of entry was jto December 15, in the hope. that another ten entries may be received. ■ N.Z. Tournament.

Ip a tone of regret, Mr. H. G. Mayer, a member of the N.Z. Bowling Assn. Council, was heard to remark that this was the first occasion for years when no entry from the Wellington club was made for the N.Z. championship rinks. He attributed this to the times in which we live. It was a costly business to .go all the way to Dunedin to play in the tournament, and probably more than half the bowlers who used to think nothing of such a trip hesitate to make it now on the score of the expense.. - Still Dunedin, with its 92 rinks, as against Wellington’s 100, has done very well, while in the pairs (always popular in Otago)’ it has secured 169, as against 152 in Wellington. Greens Drying Up.

The present long-extended dry season in Wellington is not improving the greens. Even a week ago I was rather surprised to see bare patches on a green that is usually a thick pad of grass at this time o£ the year. Some greens are already showing that end-of-January look, due to the continued absence of rain and the warm temperatures.

Christmas Tournament. Once more bowlers are reminded that the extended time ' for receiving entries for the Wellington centre’s Christmas Rink and New Year Pairs tournaments eloses to-day.

In The Wairarapa. ■ All Wairarapa bowling clubs have their club competitions well advanced now, and players have been getting in splendid match practice for forthcoming tournaments. There have also been a number of inter-club matches for various trophies, and the form displayed in many cases has been very pleasing. The Rose Memorial Buttons, open for competition amongst P. and T. employees throughout the North Island, are at present resting in the Wairarapa. the holders being W. Finnerty and A. E. Kilgoiir (s), both members of the Masterton Park chib. On Tuesday they found little difficulty in staving off a challenge by W. Chippendale and 11. Simmons (s), of the Carterton club, winning by 30 to 19.