A VISITING BOWLER.
THE OAME IN NEW ZEALAND. PROSPECTS OF AN ENGLISH VISIT. [«V TIM.KORAfII— OWN rORUKai-OSOBNT.] DUNKDIN, Tliis Dny. Mr. Stephen Fortesciu>, Hon. Treasurer of the English Bowling Assoeia t ion, whs iiiterviowccl by n Star representative on the eve of Ins departure tor Melbourne. Mr. Fortoscue miitl tlmt with vi-rj few exceptions the greens ho had visited, both in Australia niul New Zeiilmul, toiiipured very favourably indeed with those hi 1 had boon accustomed to playing on in England. The greens in Auckland, Hamilton, Cambridge, Ho tormi, New Plymouth, Wimganui, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin were ot|)iul to anything he ha<l seen at Home, and further south he had come. Iho better tho greens appeared. The New Plymouth green in particular could not piobaHy up, equalled tiny where. Regarding tho players, tho visitor expressed tho opinion that amongst those, with whom it had boon his pleasure to meet on tho various greens, there wero men who could easily hold their own with Australian and English players. At Waugauui, Wellington, Christchurch, and Duuodin was this especially noticeable. Tho Now Zwilandurs wero keen players, and evidently went in wholo liourtedly for bowling, but while they followed tho gnmo with tho keenness that alone brings out tho scientific aspect of the game, they wero genuine sportsmen and tho best of fellows. Special mention was inntlo of Messrs. Paul and Binnio (of New Plymouth), who, it will be remembered, havo already boen to Ihn Motherland with bowling teiyns from tho North Island. Mr. Fortoscup holds an extremely high opinion of Dr. \V. 0. flracc, who only took up bowling four years ago. Dr. draco has bucomo one of tho most enthusiastic followers of tho game in Kng land, and in Mr. Fortoscuo's opinion is destined to shine, ns one. of the leading'skips of the Old World. Pluyipg in international rinks in Scothiwl last year, Or. firaco "skipped" n rink Unit was not onrp bouten, mid during the contest met tho pick of tho combinations from Wales, Ireland, and .Scotland. "Ho groatly impressed with colonial bowling huvo I become," replied Mr. Fortp.senc in answer to a query as to tho likelihood of a team of bowlers coming out to tho colonies, "that on my return to England I sluill do my utmost to persuade Dr. Grace to bring out a team. If Dr. Gntco coimrnts to hrod a party it is a foregone conclusion that in the nunr future Colonials will havo their long-cherished wish gratified of seeing an English bowling team touring tho colonies.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 48, 27 February 1905, Page 6
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421A VISITING BOWLER. Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 48, 27 February 1905, Page 6
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