BOWLING

Evening Star, Issue 18925, 27 April 1925, Page 10

BOWLING

[By Mkasuher.]

The season is very nearly concluded. The glories of opening and concluding days seem to have passed, A few years ago events beginning and ending the season were advertised, and considerable ceremony was observed. In these times one hears of an opening or a closing after it has happened. As a matter of fact, most of the local greens are now closed, and several are top-dressed in the hope of improvement for the coming season. Altogether the past season may be regarded as a successful one. The spirit of competitive play is as strong as ever—■ shows signs of increasing, perhaps. Whether t* ; s is for the good of the game is argued by many. Some contend that the purely friendly'game, with nothing whatever depending upon it, is the ideal In such contests men gather together and enjoy a friendly roll up without any fear of losing prestige for their clubs or the possession of a trophy for themselves. Who wins and who' loses matters not. These play.prs maintain that this is the way bowl's should be played. But a more, virile section lakes the view that bowls, to be played properly, must have a definite object in view, and that_ object must take a tangible form—a. shield, a banner, a cup, or what not. Those who take up tins position are usually the younger men in the game. A week or two ago a quite young man of my acquaintance, in full bowling rig, accosted me on the green. I expressed surprise at seeing him taking on’ the game. Ho said : “ Well, you know, if one wishes to become a champion at anything he must take it on young. Don’t you think so?” Holding, as J do, that any young man fit to play cricket or tennis should not taka on bowls yet a, while, I could not agree with him. But there tho fact is: Many young men are taking on bowling, and they demand competitions all the time. In many instances they are supported by older players, and the majority in Dunedin bowling circles seem to bo of their way of thinking. Consequently the authorities , have to provide for them. So that’s that! All the same, a quiet game of bowls with absolutely nothing material depending upon it is a most enjoyable thing. Dunedin Club closed on Saturday week, when there was a good attendance cl members and visitors.

Kaitnna also closed tho same day, with some small ceremony.

Caledonian was another club which • wound up, some two dozen or more members taking part in a drawing competition, which was worn by A. Honeyman. Caversham finished on the same day, and top-dressing has already started.

The annual meeting of St. Kilda Winter Club was held in the pavilion last Wednesday night, when there was a good attendance. Mr F. .1. Lough presided. The annual report stated that the past season had been one of the most successful of the series. The membership increased from ferty-eight in 1925 to fifty-nine last year, thanks mainly to the Inclusion of a number of lady chib members. Besides the usual five social evenings and the ladies return evening, several functions had been held in connection with “ Gala Day.” Notwithstanding the increase in membership the funds show an excess of expenditure over receipts of £1- 10s 7d. Tins was fully accounted for by the increased cost of piano hire, amounting to £7 10s, as against £4 4s in 1925. The musical portion of the entertainments bad been of a high order, and the club was deeply indebted to many talented visitors who gave their services, and especially to Mrs Falck, whose services as accompanist again gave universal satisfaction. The thanks of the club were also due to the donors of prizes, etc. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing season resulted as follows; —President, Mr J. A. Petrie; vice-presidents, Messrs C. Otto and W. Leoden ; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. H. Hinton ; auditor!! Mr Wh Thompson ; committee—Messrs Smeaton, Gladding, W'nlker, O’Sullivan, Lowry, and Peacock. It was resolved that sooted evenings be held on the second Wednesday nf each month during the season, and that special extra evenings be held with the object of raising funds Tor the purchase of a. piano, lady friends to be associated in promoting the success of these extra evenings. Votes of thanks were passed to retiring officers, particular reference being made to the work done by Mr F. .1. Lough (retiring president) and Mr J. 11. Hinton (secretary).

Justly proud of their doings this season —the Champion Four Rinks and the Single Rinks Championship both coming their way - members of St. Clair Club social evening in the Hydro Rooms, St. Clair, on Friday night, there was a largo attendance, council, executive, mid other clubs lining well lepresented. Mr J. Sendon. ebainnan of the Hub, presided, and gave a hearty welcome to all visitors. A lengthy toast list, comprising council, executive! etc., was honored. Mr J. IT. "Walker proposed (he principal toast of tha evening, “ St. Glair Club," making happy remarks concerning the merits of St, Clair players, and expressing the general satisfaction felt at what was considered ono of the younger clubs securing such prominent honors. Air Seddon, responding, said that for years St. Ciair had done their best. They bad knocked at the door in regard to (lie four-rink championship before, hut had never managed to gain an entrance; tins vear, however, they had found (he door open. Of course, additional satisfaction came when they also won the single link championship. Mr J. Rodgerson. also responding, said that the St. Clair men's pleasure had been enhanced hv the congratulations of their opponents' and fellow-members who had not. been chosen, to take part in tbs contest. Mr Lock, skip of the, winning single champions rink, paid a high compliment to the men who played with. him. Mr F. ,1. Campbell then presented ttm Holmes Feathers appertaining to tho four-rink contest, and Mr W.‘Jacobsen presented the handsome shield given by Mr G. it. A dess to the winners of the single rink contest. Framed photographs of the victors in the. single rinks were handed to each player in that contest. The toast of i he. donor of the shield for the single rink game (Mr G. G. A doss) was proposed bv Mr I). M. Pastier and most heartily honored An excellent programme was gone, inrougb, those, contributing being Messrs Strang, R-omerL, ,’lackwood, Allan Young, M'Cotmell, Watson, .mid Palmer, _ with Mr Gathcridge as a capable accom- \ panisi. _ I Smoko concert and presentation of St, j Kilda, Chib prizes nest Thursday night, j Two well known Dunedin Club members • are at present on the sick list. Mx W. Smith, who formed ono of a visiting rink to the Oamaru Easter tournament, w&» taken ill while there, and had,to undergo an operation, the, effects of which will detain jiim in that town for some weeks yet. Mr J. P. Dow has been in the Chalet Ilos- . pital for a week nr so, but is recovering and hopes to be about again next week. j Mr B. G. Midgley, a Dunedin_ Club j member with a ten-years’ association, j throimh promotion to Christchurch, ha# j lord to sever his connection, and his fellow* members presented him with a suit case. Mr Midglev takes with him all good wishe* ' for his success. Tim business discussed at last Monday’s meeting of the Centre Executive was of no great, importance. It -was announced that a profit, would likely result from the recent, Easter tournament. It was decided to impose a penalty of £2 upon a rink which had faded to fulfil its engagements at that gathering. The Executive Committee of the Dominion Council has agreed, subject to confirmation--" That all disputes appertaining to the conduct of centre tournaments and centre, competitions should be settled hv the. centres themselves, whose decision should bo final, and not subject to appeal to the Dominion Council.” This seems a sensible conclusion, allowing the bodies who know most about a subject to deal with it.