BOWLING

Evening Star, Issue 19387, 22 October 1926, Page 13

BOWLING

[By Measueek.] “G.L.G.” (Auckland)—Thank you. There are few local howlers who have yet had a roll up. The greens have had no chance to got really dry, and tho brief intervals of warm and bright hours are few. . It was only for a brief while of the greens which opened last Saturday that play was possible, and it is doubtful whether oven that was wise. , Still, tho temptation was great. But the clubs generally made as . brave a show as possible of their opening ceremonies. At Anderson’s Bay there was a good muster. The president (Mr Wheeler) expressed the hope that all would have a pleasant afternoon in spite of the necessity of closing the green for play. He expressed the appreciation of the club of tho services of Messrs M'Keuzio and M'lntosli, and their successors, Messrs Orr and Kain, for unselfish efforts in bringing tho playing area to its present splendid condition. He alluded to the loss sustained through the death of the late president, Mr Speiii cor, who had been one of the most es--5 teemed members of the club. . Tho cxej cutivo had decided to organise a gala 'day to be held in March to raise money j for additions to the pavilion, and, with i the assistance of tho ladies, it was hoped I that the funds would bo considerably ' augmented. The club was. greatly indebted to the ladies for their assistance in all matters appertaining to its welfare. An efficient orchestra entertained the visitors. At West Harbor tho president. (Mr I A. J. Portman) welcomed the visitors, i of which there was a large number, cs- ; pccially ladies. The mayor (Mr H- B. : Moller) also spoke, wishing the club every success. Mr R. H. Todd, representing tho centre, congratulated the club on its green, and also on the position held by the club in the games. He wished tho club success. Mr Ferguson j (of Leith'Club) replied on behalf of the ! visitors. Mrs Portman then rolled up i the first bowl, after which a very eu--1 joyable afternoon was spent. The West I Harbor Brass Band was in attendance. ! At St. Kikla tho pavilion was crowded. Mr D. Duncan (the president) made a brief speech of welcome, and alluded to the serious loss the club had sustained by the death of some half- , dozen members since last season. Tho proceedings in the pavilion were lively enough, and members and visitors made I the best of things. An orchestra helped to while away the time. Of the other clubs which opened 1 have no information, but doubtless pleasant afternoons were spent at all of them.

With the opening of St. Clair, Fairfield, and Leith Clubs to-morrow the season may be considered as fairly, set going, even though the opportunities for play have been small. The booklet of fixtures for the season 1926-27 is now in circulation. It is, as usual, full of really necessary information, and is tho result- of .much more work by different, sub-committees of . the executive than they are generally given credit for.

Will the question of howl testing ever be satisfactorily answered? The latest development is that, by order of the Dominion Council, all bowls bearing test stamps prior to 1924 must again go through the mill after March next. Why? Well, it appears that prior to 1924 tho different centres where bowltesting machines were in use. had standard bowls which differed widely as to requirements of draw. . How this came about is hard to explain. The testers in tho various centres, too, had each his own idea of carrying out a test; also as to the proper care of the testing apparatus in his charge. Small wondor, then, that bowls stamped, as correct in different centres took dissimilar courses on the green. At the dominion tournament gathering at Christchurch in January, 1924,. Mr W. A. Scott, tho association’s official tester, had these standard bowls gathered from tho various centres, and subsequently published a startling report as to. their variance. So presumably from this has come the pronouncement that all tests , previous to 1924 will be null and void after March next. So far, so good; it is apparently a genuine attempt to get nearer to finality. But is the end in sight? Is each testing centre now supplied with a standard bowl which is a true replica of those used in other centres? And are competent men in office to put tho bowls through their facings? Then there is the method of testing. Wellington dpes it on .the table; Christchurch does it ou an indoor rink; Dunedin does it on a green. How other places do it Ido not know. Can a uniform dominion result bo reasonably expected after all this? To my mind the testing problem is far from being settled. This is the opinion of.others, and a feeling of unrest regarding the matter is growing. It is no small matter to hava a seven-guinea set of bowls called upon for trial and possible alteration (for better or worse) every now and again. Talking tho matter, over with a gentleman of much experience, Mr James Allan, Kaituna Club’s delegate on the Centre Executive, he put forward a suggestion which seems practical and likely to lead to something like finality. It was to the effect that a carefully-chosen committee should be appointed by the Dominion Council to take control of bowl testing, This committee should be regarded as a permanent institution—that is, of course, so far as is possible—not subject to vagaries of voting at annual meetings of delegates, but liable only to change by the council itself. This committee would alone be responsible for the conduct of bowl testing. On such a committee men like Mr Marlow, deeply interested in the matter from tho start, would find a place. Some scheme such as this (or something which would be an improvement) is really necessary, for tho discontent at periodica) calls for bowls to bo tested and (possibly) altered is growing, and is likely to cause trouble.

i At this month’s meeting of the Christ- ■ church Executive a ■ discussion took ; place on the standard of bowls to bo ; used, and it was eventually resolved to : write to the Dominion Association aski ing whether challenged bowls and bowls ; in the final of the tournament would he tested, with the standard bowl of its year, or with the present standard bowl; . also what would bo the position if a bowl boro a recognised stamp but did

not conform to tho draw of tho 1826 standard bowl. It was also resolved that clubs be written to recommending that all members have their bowls tested and brought up to the 1924 standard, pointing out that all bowls challenged must conform to the standard bowl. The chairman said that tho matter of standard bowls wanted clearing up. Ho thought it would be a good idea if tho secretary obtained and sent out a design of stamps eligible for pennant and otlier competitions. This would relievo the position for umpires. Tho secretary was instructed to do this. An added attraction at the well-known holiday resort, Pembroke, is a bowling green, to be opened on Labor Day. Invitation acknowledged. A word to secretaries of clubs: During the coming season it is absolutely necessary that the names of players engaged iu the different Saturday matches shall reach this office at the latest by 10 a.m. on Thursdays. They should be addressed to the sub-editor, not to “Measurer.” If this condition is not fulfilled insertion of fixtures cannot be promised. Several of the ladies’ clubs held their openings this week. On Tuesday Dunedin and North-east Valley began, hut no play was possible; and on Wednesday Anderson’s Bay and St. Kilda made a start. On the latter green play was indulged in, and tho very largo crowd of lady visitors took full advantage of the chance. ' A largo meeting of ladies interested in the formation of a ladies’ bowling club in connection with the Port Chalmers Club was held on Tuesday evening. After Mr Miller, the president, had addressed tho ladies as to conditions, etc., those present decided to form a club. The following officers were elected President, Mrs Braithwaite; vice-president, Mrs Newman; secretary and treasurer, Mrs Clatworthy; General Committee, Mrs M'Donakl and Miss Gunn. After discussion it was decided to officially open tho season on Wednesday next. Last Tuesday evening tho St. Clair Club hold another successful social evening, card> and a short dance being the programme. Between eighty and ninety members and friends were present, and all thoroughly enjoyed what proved to be one of the most successful functions promoted by the Social Committee of the club. St. Clair .Club is now well established on tho social side, and the committee in charge is highly gratified with the success attained. Bigger things are promised for future seasons. Balclutha Club intended to open last Saturday, but tho recent wot weather compelled a postponement till to-mor-row, Waitahuna Club reports finishing up last season with a credit balance of close on £4, which is wonderful considering that tho total income was less than £lB. At the annual meeting of South Otago Centro the membership was stated at 240 ; a falling-off of 30 from the preceding year. The following office-bearers were elected: —President, Mr J. G. Henderson; vice-president, Mr J. M'Namara: secretary, Mr R. Culhert (re-elected); auditor, Mr Poynter; selectors—Messrs M'Namara, Pryde, and president. The secretary of Dunedin Centre wrote suggesting February 12 for the intercentro matcli Dunedin v. South Otago at Balclutha, and it was decided to accept this date. Tho Auckland ‘ Herald ’ bowling writer says that for some years several local clubs have dispensed with an official opening on account of previous illluck in elaborate preparations being spoiled by bad weather, and instead have held “at home ” days later in tho season, when the weather is more dependable. Such procedure has, of course, much to commend it; but tho average bowler looks forward to tho custom qf ringing in the new season. Thus it is that tho old custom prevails in the majority of clubs, in spite of tho uncertainty of the weather. The following appeared in the ‘ Daily Mail,’ Brisbane, on Wednesday, September 29;—“Much publicity has been given to tho proposed visit of a Queensland team to New Zealand at the end of tho year. Last Saturday was ine date fixed for tho receipt of names, but unfortunately very few names have been received. A further effort is to be made this week to form a team.”

Every winter it is usual for numbers of New Zealand bowlers to cross tho Tasman and remain in the warmer climate of Australia until the return of the New Zealand spring. Tho hospitality which these bowlers receive is lavish, and at the last meeting of tho Wellington Bowling Centre Mr Marcus F Marks, who recently returned from an Australian visit, suggested that it would be only fair if the Dominion Bowling Council were to write to tho bowling authorities in Australia to thank them for the kindness at all times extended to bowlers from New Zealand. Other delegates thought likewise,. so it was agreed to request the Dominion Council to write accordingly. A test match, five rinks a side, between the visiting South Africans and the English Bowling Association team resulted in a decisive win for England by 105 points to 78. Up to this match the South Africans had played 24 games winning 18 and losing 6, their shots being 3,022 against 2,559 by the English county associations and Welsh clubs, a majority of 463 shots. From the first end the visitors found the green faster than any they had encountered, and this made the difference between scoring and jst missing.