BOWLING

Evening Star, Issue 16236, 4 October 1916, Page 7

BOWLING

. , [By Measurer.] Received: Invitations to openings next Saturday from Mornington, West Harbor, Oaversham, and St. Clair Clubs. Opening dates for some other clubs: Roslyn, October 7; Dunedin, Caledonian, Bahna-rewen, Green Island, and St. Kilda, October 14; North-east Valley, October 21; Otago and Port Chalmers, October 20. Naturally enough, bowlers are just now greatly interested in the promise given by their own particular greens for a good season’s play. There are, perhaps, half a dozen swards which may be absolutely relied upon to give, at any rate, a fair serfage "all through the season. Unfortunately, the others cause more or Joss anxiety, and concern is felt as to’their progress during the intervals between ending play and starting again. Dunedin Club Green has, for many seasons past, been acknowledged as the most Sellable of all. This is quite understandable. It is over 40 years old, and during the lost few years has had expert attention at the hands of Mr J. Taylor, whose knowledge and care have, counteracted the great strain imposed on it, for it is well Known that Dunedin Green has more play than any other plot. Though not as goodlooking at the present as it has been in some years, it is confidently expected that Snembers will havo no cause for complaint during the coming season. While admitting Dunedin Green’s allround pre-eminence, several others are on the way to challenge it. Roslyn Green, for instance, compares with anything anywhere. At the end of last season it was simply perfect, and there is every reason io believe that nothing will heat it this jeason. North-cast Valley Club members are fortunate in having, ’for so young a club, a tip-top green, right in the front rank. Prospects for next season, I am told, are good. Caledonian Club Green, which has proved Itself for so many years, gives no cause for serious doubt, but there are one or two patches which require a little nursing, and the opening has been delayed for a week on that account. Kaituna Club Green is not satisfactory at present, though not bad. But the growth of grass docs not please its snpfiorters, and it will be a week or two bcoro the green will play up io reputation. St. Clair Club Green, as befbre noticed-, is still on the improve, and is likely to play better than ever before. Otago Club Green, according to reports, promises well. A fresh greenkeepor is being advertised for, Mr Bryce (lately in charge, and who has brought it along well) having accepted another engagement. Unusual interest is taken in the condition of St. Kilda Green. There has never been so disappointing a sward. Neither |>ains_ nor expense has been spared by the llub in the (effort to provide a green level, true, and generally accurate. Season after season it has been hoped and anticipated that at last the desired result was attained. Disappointment has been members’ lot! Hope springs eternal, however, and from .all ocular evidence St. Kilda arc to have "a good green this season. Mr J. Taylor’s experience as superintendent has been requisitioned, and with Grcenkeeper Gardiner’s efforts in support the pleasant sight is afforded of a wonderfully fine growth of grass, such as has never before been seen from the club’s pavilion. One hardly dares say that the green will be first-class ibis season, but appearances at present Would warrant such a statement. Mornington players are satisfied with )heir outlook. They feel quite sure that Visitors will have to search closely if they ?ish to find fault with their turf. As to the many other clubs I cannot speak of my own knowledge as yet. In a week or so a personal inspection 'will justify an opinion being expressed. Mr J. S. M‘Peak succeeds the late Mr Tohn Kemnitz as secretary of Otago Club. The first interclub matches of the coin.bg season are to begin on Saturday, November 4.

Invercargill season opened last Wednesday, when Te Rangi Club made a start. Various improvements to the club’s property have been made, the president (Mr cl. E. Glen) having installed the electric light at his own cost. Dr Thomas, the well-known Christchurch bowler, has had the misfortune to lose a son at the front.

The mat is a trouble at Home as well as here. “The Driver,” writing for ‘Lloyd’s Weekly,’ says: James CL Gamithers, the L. and &.C. gold medallist, has written me_ declaring that the only occasion on which lie placed the mat up the green during the whole course of his competition play in pursuit of the championship title was when the sward was showing signs of wear and his woods were sure to pitch into a sandy bit of turf that' had been previously cut up by other players. He is firmly convinced that, the mat law 7 should be changed, so that the man who loses the jack on the throw should lose the position of the mat, and the opponent should have the right to place it back to the ditch as far as he wishes. Gamithers is not alone in that opinion, and it is now up to the F.B.A. to alter the law immediate]v. If they do not do so the L. and S.C.B.A. will have their own lav/ on the subject. It is more than likely that already some local bowlers are thinking of taking part in the Association tournament at Wellington next January. Secretary J. J. Roberts has drawn up the programme, the details of which are as follow Monday January 8: Doubles in sections of fourth heads to .bo played; section winners -and ties to go to the finals ; final game to be 21 heads. Tuesday, January 9 : Singles to be played on the two-life system: 16 heads to be played; final game to be dl heads. Wednesday, January 10; Finals of doubles and singles to be plaved, and .North y. South Island match in the after»oon (Ladies’ Day). Thursday, January XI : Champion rinks to be started in sections of 10 : three games of 21 head* each to be played each day. Friday and Saturday,. January 12 and 13: Rink matches to be continued. After Saturday’s play section winners and those winning as manv games as the lowest section winner sfiaii remain in the competition. On Saturday evening those remaining in will be formed into sections of four, and on Monday these will play three games of 21 heads each. On Tuesday the remaining rinks will play off oa the sudden death principle; rinks securing the greatest number of wins during the four days’ play to have the preference in the matter of byes (if any). A correspondent writes to “Jack,” of tho Christchurch ‘Evening News': “Much of tho trouble with our greens is caused no doubt by the man nor in which they are first put down. J knov. of very few t-hn/t have been nufc down in tho Dominion on the same lines as in the Old Country. The method adopted there is; First, the top soil is removed, and the subsoil dug‘and made level; then field pipes arc laid along the sides (under what will be the ditch); then the whole of the site is covered with stone spaldings or largo shingle well rolled, then smaller stones or shingle, making about six or cignt inches in thickness of stone The top sod is then replaced, and, after being rolled, is turfed, not sown down ”