N.Z. BOWLERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 August 1923, Page 3

N.Z. BOWLERS

TOUR OF AUSTRALIA. The Auckland members of the New Zealand bowling ream which toured New South Wales and Queensland returned to Auckland oy tne lilanura tins week.j The bowlers were met by Mr. coltman, president ol the Dominion Howling Association. The boutnern members of the team left Sydney uy tne Llnnaroa tor Wellington, with the exception of Air. 11. I'. M. Mercer, of Buntdin, who remained in Brisbane to recuperate. The latest advice was that he was fast returning to his normal health.

The team played 29 matches, winning 22, losing six, and drawing one. 'i ne hospitality extended to tne visitors in New South Wales and Queensland was most marked and lavish, no efforts being spared to make the trip pleasant and memorable. The greens, with singular exceptions, were excellent, the award in every case being couch grass, which makes a good bowling surface. In Australia rubber bowls are mainly used, ami it was noticed that one brand ran cleaner and more evenly on the surface than the wooden bowl. So pleased were the members of the team wilii the results achieved by the rubber bowls that 11 full sets have been brought to New Zealand. lime will tell whether these will be affected by climatic conditions. The crouching attitude adopted by the Australian bowler does not appeal to the New Zealander, as it is considered the upright delivery tends to truer results. I’he New Zealand bowlers were allowed to play with one loot on the mat, but it was compulsory for the Australians to have both feet thereon. ]i. was realised that this gave the New Zealanders an advantage. There is no doubt the absence of restrictions makes one feel more at ease when delivering a bowl.

The official disbanding of the team took place at Brisbane on Thursday, July 12. At this gathering Mr. A. U. Thomson, manager, and Mr. T. H. Steadman, secretary, were presented with framed photographs of the team. Air. W. Smith, treasurer, was presented with a gold-mounted pencil; Air. Alfred Coutts (rangatira), with a fountain pen ; Air. James Whitelaw and Air. A. R. Crane, luggage master with a handbag and case of pipes, respectively.