Bowling Notes

Evening Star, Issue 23657, 17 August 1940, Page 5 (Supplement)

Bowling Notes

by Draw

Questions and Answers. “ Interested ” writes: Some 12 months ago a company was formed to start an indoor bowling club, and I understand shares to a large amount were issued to many persons in this city. I would appreciate any information in reference to this indoor bowling venture.—With the advent of the war and the introduction of legislation in connection with building permits and financial arrangements, there has been some delay, but I understand that just recently many of the obstacles have been overcome, and that next winter may see the building in course of erection, if not completed. Of course, everything in connection with the project is subject to the consent of the Minister of Finance. Green Matters. “ Browntop ” has written me asking for some information in connection with a disease which ha§ apparently taken charge of most of the playing area. It is somewhat like moss in placet, and has also formed a sort of scale on the ground. The_ disease is called algae, and is sometimes called green scum. This occurs on bare ground that has been scalped with the mower, or where grass has been crushed out by heavy careless rolling. A thin green covering forms on bare spots and gradually creeps outward, turning darker as it develops. Later it forms a scale on the ground as thick as heavy paper. When wet it is slimy, and when dry it cracks and curls up in small scales. It is the forerunner to moss. Algoa is caused mostly by rolling when the water is lying on the green. Rolling when the green is very wet causes the water to rise to the surface and form a scum. The treatment is to spike-harrow the green immediately it appears, or to use a rake. Spray with perchloride of mercury, loz, to 15 gallons of water to each 1,000 square feet and lightly topdress with sandy loam. Frequent light watering, which keeps the surface soaked, will encourage alga?. It is controlled in reservoirs and dead water by using copper sulphate at the rate of 11b to a million gallons. (2) In regard to preserving the ends of your green. It is a good plan not to cut the first 6ft or Bft nearest the ditch too closely. When playing north and south, the east and west ends may he cut down, but always leave the ends a little longer where the mats are placed for play. Mercury Bay Weed.

Some little time ago 1 mentioned this class of weed, and Mr J. Scott, of the Dunedin. Club, has arranged for a small quantity of it to be delivered to the green supervisor of the Dunedin green. I understand that this weed will be tried out in special plots. Persons interested will be able to see it about the end of next week. I understand that this weed is a fast grower and a good rooter, and the experiment of trying it at this end of the Dominion will no doubt be watched by all interested in the playing surfaces of bowling greens. Alexandra Club. Tho annual meeting of this prominent Central^ Otago club was held last week, and it is pleasing to note that affairs are in a very healthy state. The retiring president stated that the future may be a little difficult, but he felt that the members would find ways and means of safeguarding tho interests of the game and providing clean recreation for tho community. It is pleasing to note that the Hewitt brothers are still taking an active interest in bowling affairs. Mr Robert Hewitt has signified his intention to present a cup for tho champion singles competition of the club. E. IRavenswood, well known in Dunedin, is again taking an active interest in the Alexandra club. A motion that play be allowed on Sundays was substantially defeated, only the proposer and the seconder of the motion voting for the proposal. Mr A. K. Hamilton is the club’s new president. Points or Ends. At the annual meeting of tho Dunedin Club, some little time was spent in discussing the merits of points or ends for deciding singles games. Several prominent players advocated the points system, but a substantial majority favoured the ends game. Last year in England there was much correspondence on the subject in the various papers which deal with bowling, and a few of the arguments may be of interest to local players. “ The main objection to 21 points instead of 21 ends, is that it would rob the game of a lot of interest. I have seen many singles games where one player happened to be a poor starter, or for some reason failed to find it in tho early part of the game. Tho other player obtained a substantial lead. With 21 points this would frequently have been a ‘ winning ’ lead, and the game ‘ fizzle out ’ like a wet squib. But with the player in arrear having a chance to retrieve his fortunes, the game retains its interest to the end. I like the theory, and the spirit, of the old saying that ‘ a game is never lost until it’s won.”'

It is said, perhaps with some truth, that bowls is not a spectacular game. There is, however, nothing more fascinating in bowls to an than to see a man well behind in a singles gradually “ wipe off ” arrears and make a close fight of it. We should try to preserve this attractive aspect of the game—in the interest of both player and spectator. As far as tournaments and competitions are concerned, another good reason for the 21-end singles game is that it ensures that the competitor who is knocked out in the preliminary or first round gets a decent run for his entrance fee, whereas under a 21-point game it is possible for him to be beaten in as few as seven or eight ends. To sum up the position: If two players cannot settle which is the better player in 21 ends, whereby each puts up a total of 84 bowls, but can only obtain a verdict by a long-drawn-out test of endurance rather than bowling ability, then the singles game as a form of recreation loses much of its value. So here’s wishing success to tho promoters of the 21 ends for singles. Another player writes: —About two years ago I wrote to your paper about it, and many letters supported me during the weeks which followed; nobody took the trouble to defend the old system (21 points). Since then, in conversation with bowlers all over the country, I have been amazed at the number who are sympathetic to this change. Tho time has arrived for the “ powers that be ” to sit no and take notice. In Australia and New Zealand the advantage of playing 21 ends has been realised and acted upon, and now the tournament officials are following suit in this country. It is only a matter of plain common sense, , because the length of a game can he judged to he about an hour and a-half, and I wish

to stress this point as it is becoming imperative to make certain that singles games should not occupy a rink on the green a whole evening in club competition,! during the height of the season when there is such a demand for accommodation for members to enjoy at least a little play.

“ Observator ’ writes: I am not asking readers which game they prefer. That should be a matter for themselves. What I want to know is: (1)) Why is the basic or main feature of the game —viz., 21 ends—laid down when four or eight players are engaged? , (2) Why is an altogether different principle, points instead of ends, introduced when only two players are engaged? So far as I can see, there was nothing to be gained by changing the principle from ends to points in the singles game. There are niany advantages to be gained by making the singles a game of 21 ends like the others, and these are so obvious that they need not be listed here.'