BOWLING

Evening Star, Issue 12943, 5 May 1908, Page 2

BOWLING

[By Leader.] —lnter-club Championships.— In my last article I went fully into the matter of inter-club championships, but Mr Payne says that I omitted to answer ny own query. That was merely an oversight, easily rectified. “ Does the present system provide the means whereby bowling will be improved?” In my opinion, bowling, as carried on during the last two or thieo years, has -brought a host of firstcl" players to the front. Granting that clubs have only catered for the social element, there is no doubt that scores of players have been drawn in who would otherwise have had to stand out; consequently these bowlers have improved in their play. I candidly admit that the present inter-club games are not, taken all round, so keenly contested as they might be. But the yearly increase in the entries ior the Association tournament is an indention that some improvement is taking place. If the present system is out of date, how comes it that "raw” teams regularly bump out the recognised players at the January meetings? In his letter, published last Thursday, Mr Payne is temperate. He has set hits heart on inter-club championship games. I am loth to go in opposition to him. It is regrettable that players in other chibs have not seen fit to raise their voices one way or other. Mr C. 'l'. Paterson, also a Kaituna member, wrote in support of Mr Payne. The former gentleman was an executive officer for many years, and his advice has had a great bearing on the success of the N.Z.B.A. He, no donbt, believes the institution of championship play would make the game a still greater success, and is prepared to throw in his aid. Are there any aspirants to championship honors in fourteen other clubs? Or are there any Centre delegates willing to pilot the scheme through? —Nearing the End.— The season is just about ended. With the exception of Dunedin (which is nearly always the last to throw up the sponge), Green Island, and Outram, the local greens are now " recovering.” Next Saturday, I learn, Dunedin and Green Island have a final go. Four clubs—Caledonian, St. Kilda, Roslyn, and Valley—closed down on Saturday last. There was a full attendance on all these greens, and the ladies also put in appearance to encourage their lords to make a final effort. _ At Roslyn there was a fairly representative gathering. Mr J. Garrett, previous to the commencement of the game—Ancients v. Moderns—briefly addressed those present. He spoke of the great enjoyment members had experienced during the season, congratulated the club on the line green they now possessed, and trusted that all would meet again at the opening cf next season. Then for a couple of hours there raged a fierce battle, which was only ended by Secretary W. Nicolson hauling down toe flag and joining with Mr Garrett in declaring the green closed. After that one or two loiterers hung back—to picture the new r -a ; -vs springing up. r.iida the game was most enjoyable w»:k- Old Sol cast his warmth over the plot, hut at five o'clock it made Jim Robert cr. whistle. At the conclusion of the Toll-un Mr J, J, Marlow sent the members home .. ii -i his blessing. It is reported of him: “ ■ rentlemen, the time has come for us to gather ti{ our goods (woods, of coui."el, put. ‘hem away carefully and look forward to mans enjoyable meetings—by-ancl-ry.-. I am glad to say the club have had a. successful season—successful in more 5 - than cue Mr Jitohseii. as you all Jmow. was the runner-up for the Associations single-handed championship; wc have had a fair number of wins in inter-club play, and our giv. n-veil, look at it. It's as good now as when wo op-'-ned the season, but tne weather compels ns to ‘stand off the grass. ’Auid lang syne,’ cheers for the and ladies, and slowly the members wended their way. I he \ alley Club brought what has been the most successful season to a close on Saturday, when they played four rinks from the Batmacewen Club," defeating them bv the substantial majority of 49 points. Ine final of the handicap doubles was also played between W. Eeswick and G. E. Bennett (s) and T. Allan and R. Watkins (■-). victory resting with Bennett and partner by o points—viz., 27—22. The final of the handicap singles was won by G. Dunn 'l6), with J. H. Spencer (14) second’, Spencer just missing the triple event bv 2 points, taken it all through, players can look back on the season just closed as a very enjoyable and pleasant one. Caledonians _ brought the season to a clo.-e with a big muster. ’There were also n. ruimner or visitors present. Tlic green, although slightly soft, in common with other greens, played truty, and does not show much wear and tear after a hard season. After the game .Mr C. F. Greenslade 'president! said a few words by way ot parting. Mr W. Dawson (a past "presid'd- But now filling that position in CTaco Club) also spoke. Mr Hugh Calder <“ Bale's ” veteran) replied on behalf of the older members, tracing the history of the club since formation. Messrs H. "Renders'"', 1.. Hoeg. ft. Capstick were amongst oMer sneakers. The evening was brought t ) a close by adjournment to the social :c::n. wliere the usual bowling refrain v-v r indulged in. —Australian Opinions.— 1 have to thank several local bowlers for then- kindness in forwarding me Australian pars. from winch the following extracts

Mclivinme ‘Punch’: “It was the desire the part of the bowlers from the now Dominion that they should meet the flower oi our Association. Unfortunately, their visit was set down at a time when it was hardly practicable. At the same time it must he concluded that we might have had a more representative lot as a whole to do hdtle. One unkind person said it was a puy to see such ‘tripe’ in an mter-Stato team, brt there was one thing in favor of cur fellows (or perhaps uot in their favor): tney used bowls that it was not necessary to blush for. With all kindly feeling towards our visitors, I venture to say “that ■some of the bowls they use will call forth a storm of disapproval from the Sydney bonding Press.”

In reference to the first game played by the Dominion team at Moonce Ponds, the same paper remarks: “ The green was as keen as mustard, and it soon became apparent that those players leading with full os against some of'the ‘noughts’ would, not be in the hunt. Indeed, this was the case with men in other positions. 1 don’t i;now what went wrong with the works in Waxman s rink, except that each man was hampered with his bowls, and when it is taken into consideration that a bowl with practically no draw will show that of an ordinary 5 at Moonce Ponds, it can be understood. Bentley and Harrison had an extraordinary came. The former won by 4, and repeatedly drew around the jack. One pair of bowls in this rink was nothing short of an abomination ; wdien seeming ‘down’ a- mile y nn straight as a rocket. A more jovial lot of fellows it would be l.i rd to meet The last team were called Die All \\ Kites.’ Thin team I have much plcasrue in christening the ‘All Scotch.’” Tne St. Hilda Green was cn fete for the second match. “ I have rarely seem so many ladtes at a bowling function,” says a Meloournc scribe. “I don’t know whether it. was the Maori war dance that attracted tnern. or the good-looking young men in tie Xow Zealand team.” dho cause of Waxman’s poor form : “ Wax man has surely had one of those bad spells that comes over every bowler. A reputation of many years’ standing cannot be blotted out in a couple’of days.” During a conversation between “ Boomerang” and a member of the Dominion t a.;w. the latter said : “ I’ll tell you why ,ku oo not nave tho crowds here to see your mg matches. In New Zealand there very little bar business, and the ladies turn up. and they bring others, until now it Is a common thing to see a thousand or two at a match. At a tournament in Christchurch recently we had about 5,000 spectators, and they were, seated three tiers high. The ladies fight shy of your greens for the feafeon I speak of. I* can see it with half an eye.” The chances of a. Victorian team paying ns a visit; “ Never in tho wide world!” was the comment of one man when aaked what chance there was of a

going to New Zealand next year. He added, as an afterthought: “ Without the president is prepared to spend a thousand himself. - It certainly looks a large order to send a representative team over there, when we can’t face them hero with one. However, subscription lists are now open.”

The president of the N.Z.8.A.: “Mr Waddell is a fluent, happy speech-maker. He entertained his hearers at the V.B.A. president’s dinner for some time with the doings’of bowlers in ‘the best land under the sun.’ He almost prayed for a Victorian team to be sent, and it was not in the sense of wanting gore, but the undercurrent of right good feeling and fellowship ftr men of his own kith and kin under ditlemA skies.” —Notes. — The consolation doubles of Roslyn (for all thrown out in the first round of the club doubles) was won Uy G. Clarke and A. Barnett (s). On Saturday at Roslyn T. Grey and A. APDougall competed in the final for the junior championship singles, when APDougall won. The winner holds the cup (Committee’s prize) for the year. The event was often to all who had never won a prize.

It is pleasing to be able to record the good news that Mr H. W. Reid uvaituna), who has scarcely been seen on the green since the All Whites' tour, owing to illhealth, is now making rapid strides towards recovery. He returned from a trip North the other day, and says he is “ dob 5 first class.” By the way, whilst at Oamaru the other day, someone said that previous to his illness Air Reid was the champion lead of New Zealand. That is a huge compliment; but, ail the same, with dne consideration for 4,000 other leads, he was extremely hard to beat. A lay he return to his best form when C.J.P. calls on him! -1 r Alarlow, in ringing down the curtain at St. Kilda, said he hoped members would remember the winter club—renew acquaintances. The proposed alterations and improve- 1 meats to Dunedin Green will cost £I,OOO. This is a fair undertaking. Air Aliller tells me that three rinks will be laid on the present tennis court. Pity the old club can’t purchase the property right through to Castle street, put down another eight-rink green, and admit a membership of 200. Bahnacewen’s “smoke” was a happy affair. It was “go” all the time. Mr P. Duncaq (chairman) kept the ball rolling. He had a big contract, but be got through easily enough. 'The Hon. J. B. Callan was present, and made one of his characteristic bowling speeches; ALr S. N. Brown, in toasting the prize-winners, demonstrated Instability to act as sole selector; and Mr Balk should go to—Japan. >So many nice things were said of the latter gentleman that he’s going to take a sea voyage. Good luck to him! Mr Wm. Lock, sen., father of the Lock family of bowlers, is spending a few days in town, after a trip south. Air Lock is domiciled at Waimatc. The members of Balmacewen Club have cause to feel grateful to Mr 0. Grater, their treasurer, who has held this responsible position since the inception of the clnb. It’s the man who has to foot the bills that has the worry. “ Balmacs ” evidently know this, and that is the reason v./fv, at the " smoke,” they coupled his name with some other “jolly good fellows.” That capable and popular Timaru bowler, Air E. Coxhead, is in town . Whilst “ banking ” at Oamaru, ho told me that Timarurians will soon have three greens. The newly-formed Kai Tow Chib would start out next season something like sixty strong. Asked if it would not affect the old club, he replied : “ Not a bit of it. There’s room for it. and also the green on the Corporation reserve. It’s just what we want—some healthy rivalry to infuse life into the game.” Air Coxhead should know, for he not ogly understands his people well, but, being one of those plav-the-game-for-the-love-of-it enthusiasts, * also knows what is wanted in Timaru to make the game hum.