NATIONAL BOWLS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21607, 9 January 1945, Page 4

NATIONAL BOWLS

TOURNAMENT OPENED

OVER 1700 COMPETITORS

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 9. Under threatening skies, the thirtieth national bowling championship opened this nun-nine- with the record number of over 1700 competitors * n the field lor three titles. The play to-day was confined to five rounds in the singles event, in which there were 7-14 competitors, playing on -17 greens in Auckland ami suburbs. ... The screens have been specially prepared for tile tournament and are in excellent condition, although fairly heavy following overnight rain. In welcoming the competitors, the president of' the New Zealand Bowling Association Mr W. J. Truscott, referred to the recent death as the result of an accident o, Mr. A. E. Whitten, a member of the Dominion council. “No man has given more to the game, he said. At the president’s request, bowlers on all greens showed their respect by standing in silence. , , , , Mr. Truscott. said that some howlers had been delayed by the late arrival of trains and advised that it might bo necessary for some lirst-rmind losses to be recorded against late arrivals. The Mayor of Auckland. Mr. J. A. C. Allum, who ollk-iall.v opened the tournament, congratulated the organisers on their splendid work. CJootl luck messages included one from Mr. F. Hosking. Melbourne, who was New Zealand president in 1939. when’ the tournament was. last held in Auckland.