BOWLING NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 5002, 17 October 1918, Page 3

BOWLING NOTES.

(By “Touchor.”)

Kahutia Opens its Season. ' Play on Thursday ? Yes. Where ? Kahutia. What was on? Opening. Enjoy yourself? Yes. Score anything;? Licking. (Rotten!) It was not under the most favorable of auspices that the Kahutia Olub opened its season on Thursday last. _ Heavy rain fell during the preceding night and early morning, and though th G day was fine it lookod threatening throughout, while the cold southerly wind did not improve matters. However, the green looked pleasing to the eye, and played much faster than the bowlers expected. It worked true and I never heard ore remark unfavorable to its condition, a state of affairs that is highly creditable to the caretaker, Mr A. Sawyer. The greens and their surroundings I were looking in splendid condition. Flags and bunting of all kinds gaily j? floated in the wind, the French tricolor being prominent at tho entrance to the grounds, _ while from the flagpole on tli e pavilion flew the club’s pennant. Music by Messrs Vita Bros.’ orchestra helped to enliven the proceedings, tho selections being very popular. The Fair Sex and the Pastime. ' The ladies were present in strong jjj force, though of course the cool * weather prevented their appearance in- their summer finery. However. 1 they seemed to enjoy themselves, and j§ the cheering afternoon tea waif to 1 them a very welcome institution that afternoon. The presence of the ladies was remarked upon by Sir James Carroll in his speech in opening the green, and' he stated we were much indebted to 'them in these strenuous times for their assistance in helping defeat the “civilised savages’’ of Europe, and for their courage and endurance in time of great sacrifice. As usual, a lady threw the .jack, and on Thursday tho lady selected was Lady Carroll, and she threw it well and truly. If ladies can throw a jack why should they not play bowls? This is a question we often hear in the present day, when discussing bowls with tho fair sox. Shakespeare fell’s us that they played in his day as evidenced in Kink Richard II (Act 3, Scene. 4. The quotation was given in the Garden Scene in the Duke of York’s garden at King’s Langley in Hertfordshire. Queen: Wliat sport shall wc devise here in this garden. To drive away the heavy thought of care Lady: Madme, we’ll play at bowls. Queen: ’Twill make me think the world is full of rubs, And that my fortune runs against the bias. Then wo notice a side light on the game in Cymbeline (Act 11., Scene I) “Was there ever man had such luck! when I kissed the Jack, upon an upcast to 1)0 hit away.” Here wc see that the object ball was called the Jack many, many years ago. Is a Bowler’s Uniform “Swank”? There was a large number of visitors present at the function last Thursday, and the members of the Gisborne Club were in strong force. The weather was against the wearing of flannels, but blazers were in evidence. A conscientious lover of the game prefers best to play as the spirit moves him and in any clothes. In our tournaments and bi<r functions it is always desirable that players should turn out in white flannel trousers, blazer, badge and hat to match. And it is very nice to see contestants arrayed in uniform dressing. Blazers and badges, hats and ties (as a bowler once put it), are quite right from the point of view of “swank.” , I know one bowler who dearly loves to play collarless. Tho greatest shock lie ever had was when he found a man lie had to meet in a match parting his hair before a mirror, and trying on the American dodge pf “messing” his opponent by keeping him waiting on tho mark. Bowls is a straightforward game 1° be got over as skilfully as possible. Bowlers and Hospitality. All those present at the gathering enjoyed themselves thoroughly, for the hospitality of the members was of the best, the wants of the inner man being well attended to. Hospitality and sociability is proverbial where bowlers ar c concerned. At a meeting of a certain municipal council in a certain Australian State some weeks ago, it was reported that a certain team of bowlers was to visit the town. Aid A. moved that the council resolve to entertain the visitors, and Aid. B. seconded the motion, remarking that the proposal was to entertain the visiting bowlers at lnnch at the town’s expense. Aid. C.: Any champagne (Laughter.) The Mayor: No, I think we should accord a hearty welcome to the visitors. (Applause.) The motion was adopted. There arc two things here which puzzle* me muchly. In the first place, why should there be laughter at Aid. C’s very hospitable suggestion ? And, in the second place, why should the worthy Mayor think (as he evidently did) that champagne was not compatible with a hearty welcome? The War and Bowls.

The opening speech on Thursday was made by (Sir James Carroll, whose remarks were mainly on events in the theatre of the great war, and bowling entered very little into it. There was one point, however, he touched on in relation to bowls and war that I have also stressed on previous occasions, and that is that a roll of honor of thofie members' who had gone on active service should he instituted . The club (as well as other clubs) had lost many active members who were now fighting in the ranks of freedom, and it was up to the club to recognise their services and their sacrifice. Such a roll of honor could be hung in the pavilion, and a public unveiling could bo arranged. The suggestion is one that bowlens would like to see adopted. In relation to this same subject of war and bowls I notice that Sydney howlers are considering' a suggestion to provide a lasting memorial of thenappreciation of the soldiers’ efforts. The suggestion is that each club provide a cottage for a soldier, and it ifi pointed out that even the smallest clubs could provide a cottage, ior, spread over 12 months, half a crown a week from GO members, or os from 25 members, would go a long way towards providing the necessary xcoO per cottage. A Game Between Veterans. One of the games played on opening day was one arranged between bowlers over GO years of age. the teams were: W. J. Witty., Gei-raid, Thelwall, Sir Jas. Carroll (skip) and Jeune, Bruce, Ley don and Ponsfoid (skip). The result was a win to the Knighted Bowler’s side by 26 to 19. It is worthy of suggestion that a match bo arranged during the season between bowlers over 60, and that it be made a feature of the season. They have these gamesm otliei centres, so why not in Gisborne. I Gisborne Recovers its Laurels. A game was also played forthe B Grade Challenge Trophies of the Gisborne Club, aud the result was. that the (T F f home, the , margin being two points.