BOWLING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22233, 10 January 1936, Page 4

BOWLING NOTES

[By Dtuw.]

Club secretaries, or those in charge jf the social activities of their clubs, are invited to send along notices in reference to any club events. Inquiries relating to the rules of the game will He welcomed. Correspondence addressed to “ Draw" must reach this office not later than noon on Tuesday each week. . Fixtures. January 6.—Dominion tournament, now in progress. January 18.—Club day and appeal for contributions to crippled children’s fund. February 15.—Final of four-rink championship, elderly bowlers’ day, and South Otago tournament. March 7.—Otago v. North Otago. March 7 and 9.—Champion of Champions. March 14. —Otago v. Southland, at Invercargill; shield matches to be played the same day. March 21.—Otago v. South Otago. March 21 and 23.—Adess Shield matches and leads and seconds tournament. ' March 28.—Otago v. Canterbury, at Dunedin. April 10, 11, 13, 14.—Easter tournament. Southland Tournament. The singles competition was won by N. W. M'Gorlick (Bluff). This player will be remembered by Dunedinites for his many attendances at Dunedin tourneys. He is a very fine four-bowl player, and generally does best when playing singles, _ The pairs .were won by A. V. iveast and J. Ure (s.), who defeated M‘Dougall and M‘Kenzie (Te Rangi) in the final, 20-13. . A North End (Invercargill) rink, comprising H. Morton, F. Farquhar, J. Ure, and A. V. Keast (s,), won the rinks from A. Adam, T. Metcalfe, R. Buchanan, and G. T. Stevens (s.), of Waihopai Club, 25-16. A. V. Keast won the singles at the -Dunedin Centre’s toux-ney last Easter, and the present season is, I believe, his third at the game. Albe Keast was for many years prior’to his taking up residence in Invercargill a prominent cricketer in Dunedin, being a member of both the Grange and Albion Clubs. He also won interprovincial honours. This is another instance of men who do well at cricket making first-class bowlers. A. Keast is competing at the New Zealand championships at Christchurch. The Southland tournament from all aspects - was a most successful one. It was unfortunate that the New Zealand championships were so close, or there would have been a number of Dunedin players taking part. It was too much to ask prominent players from this city to go south and then straight on to the big games'; However, next'year Will give local players an opportunity of assisting our southern friends, )vho are very good to Dunedin at the Easter tourney.

New Zealand Championship Tourney. At the time of writing the singles championship had been reduced to nine players, one two-lifer and eight others with one life. A comparatively young player in Bt. C. Alloo (Cecil), a member of the Owaka Club, in the Gatlins district, is the two-lifer. Alloo for

many years represented Otago in the cricket field. He is a brother of Arthur, a past captain and Otago cricket representative, and of Bert, a member of the Roslyn Club. The one-lifers left in were:—Dr M'lunes (Temuka), A. P. King (Elmwood), F. D. Whibley (Greymouth), C. E. Hardley (West’End, Auckland), J. J. Kennerley (Spreydon), F. Livingstone (Onehunga), W. Bremnet (West End, Auckland), and M.'Walker (Auckland). Dr M‘lnnes will-be known to a number of Dunedinites. He is a bfother of Mr M. M'lnnes, an association legislator and a member of the teaching staff of the Otago Boys’ High School. In the rinks competition the doctor is playing third for T. Edwards, the wellknown Temuka player. With the pairs and rinks following immediately after the two days’ play of the singles, it will be well on towards the end of next week before the singles championship will be continued, Of those left in there is only one player who has previously won the singles championship, Maxwell Walker, who as a member or the Ponsonby Club (Auckland) won in 1915, 1919, and 1923. For about the last 10 years Walker has been associated with the Auckland Club. It is worthy of note to mention that on the' three occasions that he won the singles the New Zealand championships were decided in AucklandThe veteran, W. Carswell, did not show his old form at this gathering. J. Scott, of the Caledonian Club, who is I understand taking part in the pairs and rinks, did not enter for the singles, which he won in the Cathedral city in 1928 and again in 1932. The West-end Club, Auckland, had two very fine players left in the singles, W. Bremncr and C. E. Hardley. These two. with M. Walker, and F. Livingstone. of Onehunga, give the Auckland Centre a fine chance of providing the winner for 1936. The South Island has Alloc, MTunes, King, Whibley, and l

Kenner ley to do battle for it. So far there have been 22 decisions in this event, and each island has won it 11 times, so it will be interesting to see who captures it to secure a lean. All the players from the Dunedin Centre are eliminated, though many of them did really well. Ira Grant (Dunedin) won all of the five games on the first day, but lost the first two on the second day. Grant is a great trier, and fully deserves any success that comes his way. A. French, of West Harbour, reached the fourth round of post section play. .J. Hincjiclitf. of Caledonian, also reached a similar position. This player on his last visit to Christchurch also went far and played exceptionally good bowls.

E. Lambeth and T. Handle, both of Balmacewen, and J. Veitch, of West Harbour, all showed up well. After the first day’s play many were surprised to tee H. Gardiner’s name still in the list on _ Tuesday. The Tress Association omitted his name from the list of onelifers who were eligible to play on.

Previous Winners of New Zealand Championship Singles. Dunedin, 1914. J. S.Kilgour (Carlton Club, Auckland). Auckland,’ 1915, M. Walker (Ponsonby Club, Auckland). Christchurch, 1916. E. H. Fountain (Roslyn Club, Dunedin). Wellington, 1917, O. R. Ingram (Wellington, Club, Wellington). Dunedin, 1918, W. Foster (Caledonian dub, Dunedin). Auckland, 1919, M. Walker (PonsonbV Club, Auckland). Christchurch, 1920, :E. Harraway (Dunedin Club, Dunedin). Wellington. 1921, J. M. Brackenridge (Wellington Club, Wellington). Dunedin, 1922, J. 0. Rigby, (NorthEast Valley Club. Dunedin). Auckland, 1923, M. Walker, (Ponsonbv Club, Auckland). Christchurch, 1924. W. Carswell (Taieri Club, Dunedin). Wellington, 1925, J. D. Best (Dunedin Club. Dunedin). 'Dunedin, 1926, W. Foster (Caledonian Club,. Dunedin). Auckland, 1927. H. C. Clark (Rocky Nook Club, Auckland). Christchurch. 1928. J. Scott (Caledonian Club, Dunedin). Wellington, 1929. A, R. Coltman (Carlton Club. Auckland). Dunedin, 1930, F. Lambeth (Balmacewen Club. Dunedin). Auckland, 1931. N. C. Bell (Hamilton Club, South Auckland). Christchurch, 1932. J. Scott( Caledonian Chib, Dunedin). Wellington, 1933, W. M. Pafkhouse (Wellington Cliib, Wellington). Dunedin, 1934, W. Carswell (Taieri Club), Dunedin). Auckland, 1935, A. J. Etigebretsen (Napier Club, Napier).

A Reminder to Secretaries. To'-morrow week is set aside as “ Club Day,” and on all greens where matches are played l a collection will be taken up for the Crippled Children’s Fund. Special donations apart from the collections may be made to the secretary of the clubs interested. Shield matches will start again on Saturday, January 25, and the fourrink championship matches will also come ,to life again during week nights of the same week. Wednesday matches start again on Jauary 29 with a competition arranged by the centre for the Hope Shield. Elderly Bowlers’ Day is being held on Saturday, February 15, and clubs which have nominations to make should read carefully the particulars i sent out in circular to all bowling clubs.. CaVersham Club.

Ldst Saturday members of this club took part in a progressive tournament, three players a-slde. Four games were played during the afternoon, and 42 players had an enjoyable time, the green and the weather being tip top. The ultimate winners wereA. roomson (skip.)* E. James (No. 2), and H. Dowland (lead). A similar tourney will be held to-morrow afternoon. The Late David Brown.

Dave Brown was for about 20 years an active member of the Dunedin Club, and held many important positions. It was perhaps as a selector that he excelled. His ability to judge a player and to fit him in his correct position was a sort of second nature with him. Few clubs have possessed a man more fitted' for this thankless position, his fairness in all selections making tor a contentment in this department that assisted the welfare of his club materially. In his day Dave was » firstclass bowler, and skipped for the parent club in shield matches with gteat success. Prior to coming to Dunedin about 20 years ago, he was active in bowling affairs in Timaru, A serious illness about 14 months ago caused our late friend to give up active participation in the game and its administration, and a relapse late lost week brought about the death of a very worthy man, who_ will be missed by a largo circle of friends.

The Etiquette of Bowls. Although this article was written some two years ago, it is well worth repeating at this time of the year, when some tourneys have been completed and others are in progress o« about to start. •- “ We hear and read much of a controversial nature on what is termed th# technique of the game of bowls. Wo even have lectures and articles by skilled exponents on the method . oJ holding the bowls, the size to use, tlw stance, and how to become a chantpiort, etc. This certainly has its advantage in helping the beginner to play a belter game and the mediocre bowler to become an expert. “ But unfortunately we hear very little of what is of equal, or of greater, importance, and that is the etiquette of the game, and this phase has a material bearing on its success or failure. “ If bowls is going to properly function in the realm of sport it must be well endowed with the characteristics called for ip a correct demeanour and that gentlemanly conduct much desired and appreciated . by all gooc) sports. While we need not lose sight of the keenness of the game, its finer points on the competitive aspect (and liere I would specially refer to the skipper) the spirit of forbearance should be manifestly displayed. The nervous and overstrung player who may require careful handling will thus be encouraged to give his best.' The experienced and more mature player should command and receive the respect which is due to him. The result must prove more satisfactory, besides maintaining the spirit of camaraderie and good fellowship. “ Fortunately it is not a common occurrence, but occasionally there are

skippers, keen and expert players, who have hut a vague idea of how they should handle their men and are sadly lacking in the important essential —self control and those gentlemanly instincts admired by all bowlers. They rail at their men in language unfit for print, make remarks of a most uncomplimentary nature to onlookers, and act in- a way that would make a player extremely uncomfortable should ho happen to put up a bad one. There are several instances to the writer’s knowledge where this has happened while important matches were in progress. The offending skipper Would not dare to make such remarks off the green, and can only be said to have taken advantage of his position. Is it any wonder then that these oddities find themselves in a glorious state of isolation? Lovers of the game have no desire to be associated with them, and unhesitatingly refuse when selected to play in their rink. “ In the realm of bowls are men of .every distinction and class. What can the finished sportsmen, who have made their mark in the various branches of sport and who expect to find men of like calibre in bowls, think when they meet these ‘ snags ’ or perhaps ‘ misfits,’ is a more appropriate term? It must prove a bitter disappointment! “ Some of the characteristics developed in our fascinating game are good fellowship and healthful exercise. What appeals to us most is the sociability it creates. We may feel elated now and again at a victory over our opponents, but when we have the conceit taken out of us and got the deuce of a hiding, sportsmen hasten to congratulate the winner.

“Tn an important fixture recently we had an instance of a losing skipper picking up his bowls in a spirit of chagrin and leaving the green without offering a word of congratulation on the very excellent play of his opponent and his rink. Fortunately these cases are few, hut nevertheless, corrective measures should be applied and the offender severely dealt with, the harmony and good fellowship of this delightful sport made paramount and the strict etiquette of the game duly observed.