BOWLING.

Grey River Argus, 8 December 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

BOWLING.

(By "Btraignt Wood.”J Th.- first of a series of evening aiat<lies between Runanga and GreyiDoiiih was played on the Runanga green on Wednesday. The Greymouth players left for Runanga at 5 d’clock mid play commenced immediately on arrival and full 21 heads games wer« played. It is suggested that home and home evening visits will be fortnightly and from the success that attended Wednesday’s game it is anticipated that the full eight rinks on the greens will be required to accommodate all the players desiring to take part in these games in the future. The Runanga pjayers will visit Greymouth on the evening of Wednesday December 19th. ‘‘Straight Wood” desires to con gratulate the Runanga Club on the excellent condition of their green. In view of the fact that it is only a few years since the green was lail down its condition to-day speaks volumes for the great amount of work put into it by the members. There is no question that the Runanga green to-day is equal to the best in New Zealand. The surface is smooth, well covered, ano there is an even draw on either hand—as near a perfect green as possible. » Good progress is being made with the local club competitions, members taking every opportunity of getting matches off. So far no time limit has been fiexed for the completion of the first rounds and I would suggest that this matter should receive imme diate attention. It is necessary that the dub’s singles champion should be found before the West Coast Tournament takes place and therefore this competition shoul i be speeded up. The entries for the Champion Pairs are not large and it should not be necessary to give much more time for the completion of the first round of thu competition either. The remaining two competitions, in which there arc more games to be played, could pra baoly be given a little more time than the others. The Dominion Tournament this season will be held in Wellington, com mencing the second week in January and entries close next Saturday. As far as I can learn. Greymouth will not be represented this year. THE POPULAR GAME. Bowling—les. Bowling—Bowling pure and plain. The people of South Africa have Bowling on the brain. It is Bowling in the morning and Bowling in the night. It is Bowling when they’re tight; It is Bowling in the factory and Bowling in the street. It is Bowling —yes, ’tis Bowling whoever you may meet. It is Bowling for your dinner Bowling for your tea. It is bowling on the Mountain Toy and Bowling on the sea; It is Bowling with the pretty maids, and nearly every lad. So the Union as a nation is getting Bowling mad. (From the “Bowler.” Durban.) (From the above it may be taken that bowls have “taken on” in South Africa.) THE GAME IN AMERICA. The following appearcl in the Bn< h „e “Daily Mail.”:— It is wonderful how the game bowls is progressing throughout the world, and there is no doubt about its popularity. A few years ago the re were no greens in America, basebal and golf being the great pastimes. To day in California it is making wonder ful strides, for there are now sixteen elubs, and nine cities with greens. The association there has sent to associations throughout the world a pamphlet with pictures of many of the greens. English bowlers now visit California, and dtdge the winter in their homeland for winter does not come to ’ Southern California. Not a winter day - is wasted by the players who go to California. In some cities the greens have bee ndeveloped by the lawn bowling elubs; in others, bowlers have interested the city governments m the game, and their greens have been built and are owned by ‘he municipality. Several hotel keepers have built and now maintain their own greens, which are available to their guests. At the ’, Hotel Bavmond green matches for the n Fox trophy were played last February li by a team of British bowlers, sponsor 2 C,l by the “Bowls News,” London, t \n annual tournament is held in Los 1 Xngeles each March. A midsummer - tournament is held in Redlands. The. growth of bowls in California, the or1 g-inisation of clubs and interelub as 5. sociations. and the beueficient climate, that knows no winter—all these combine to make California the haven of Ie enthusiastic bowlers. There are se- ’• veral women’s clubs, and they have « many expert players. On a number of s the greens the players play off large r white sheets, which save the ends eon-

siderably. The annual West Coast lournamtnt is to be held early in February, but so far the programmes have not been issued. No doubt these will make