BOWLS AND BOWLERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 17 August 1929, Page 3

BOWLS AND BOWLERS.

NOTES BY “SKIP.” It wiil lie <ji general interest to bowlers to read o! the doings oi the Dominion Dowling Association during the past season, 1928-20. That bowling has progressed rapidly during the past few years may be gleaned from the fact that the increase in registered players during the past four years alone was 992. The total number of clubs on the register to-day stands at 314. with a total membership of 16,086, and it is interesting to know . that the North Island’s total is 10,328 to that of 5768

in the South Island. This will, no doubt, occasion some surprise; nevertheless, these figures are given officially in the Year Book. AUSTRALIA v. NEW ZEALAND. The most important event of the past season was the representative match Australia v. New Zealand, played for the first time in the Dominion; indeed, it might be considered the most important development in

bowling which has taken piace since the game was first played in this country It marks a new era, placing, as it does, the game of bowls in a similar position to other games, to excel in which is worthy of friendly international competition. The fear that this highly developed competitive spirit will destroy the social side of the game has yet to be proved, and it is very doubtful whether the seriousness of even ail international, contest will ever rob the game of its sociability for which it is world famous. To make the social side go hand in hand with competition should he the

aim of all bowlers, and the results up to the present go to show that this is their desire.

Six rinks represented New Zealand in the Test, and to pick 24 “bowling All Blacks” from the outstanding talent available in this Dominion was no mean teat for the selectors The rinks chosen will be remembered, no doubt, by followers of the games, and skipped by M. Walker (Auckland), N. Bell senr. (Hamilton), R. Pilkington (Hamilton), E, Harraway (Dunedin), A. K. Smart (New Plymouth), and J. Scott (Caledonian), upheld the honour of the Dominion by winning each of the three test matches.

The first game was played on tli Hataitai green, where New Zealam won bv 175 to 113. The second game played at Thorndon, was won by tli narrow margin of 126 to 125; and tli final game, played at the Wellington green, saw tliem win by the comfort able margin of 144 to 125. The position is that Australia ha won one Test (the first, in Australia and New Zealand one (the second, ii New Zealand), The next Test matches will take plac< probably in Tasmania, at a date to b< .fixed, to be followed by the fourtl series in the Dominion again in 1934 AN APPRECIATION OF BOWLS During the past few years, undei more sympathetic conditions, there ha? been a remarkable revival of in tore si in the game, which, with the possible exception of archery, is the oldest surviving outdoor game in the world. Herodotus attributes its introduction to the Lydians. It improves the conditions of life for many a man, who by its medium is taught to know and understand hi« fellowmen. It breaks down the barriers of exclusiveness which lit' between one good man and another whose friendships would he mutually profitable. Many an old howler declares that in it for him 1 it's the secret of perpetual health, and the ijoys of youth itself, and makes .a man (glad to be alive. One charm lies in the 1 facility with which the beginner is l initiated. Young men sometimes l>eI come experts in two or three seasons, land again, scores of good skips played [their first howl when, like Wendell i Holmes, they were “well over 70 years j young.” j A howler dies young no matter how long he lives. [ A medical man of high repute writes thus —and one may believe that the game of bowls was in his mind: “It is not strenuous exercise that counts,but the kind that hits the mark is the kind that a man likes for his own sake, and that kind is something; with the play spirit in it, the life and go of a good game.” “The best form of exercise will cal! the big muscles into play—the muscles that do the work ol life.” Health is ensured by the air and exercise, good spirits by the zest ol the game, friendships by the social intercourse, and, though they should not enter into the question, business interests are promoted by the iellowships of the green. On fine summer j evenings ardent players are very irregular in their homecomings, and they owe much to the forbearance of their kindly womenfolk, who, it is a pleasure to find, are these days making the green a favourite resort. They, however, reap an ample reward in the good health and improved temper of their howl-playing men. and in the opportunities for the friendship of the wives of members As with the chess player, happily the spirit of the true bowler will never tolerate gambling in connection with the game. It will, therefore, always remain what it is—a clean sport.

• I’liiy not too wide, with motion eye your cast, Use not extent of green or life to waste; Nor yet too straight—in life observe the same, The narrow-minded often miss their

aim. sowlmu too ishort. you but obstruct the green, ,ike him who loiters on Life’s publn scene.”