THE WANGANUI TOURNAMENT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11123, 16 January 1899, Page 4

THE WANGANUI TOURNAMENT.

NAPIER "WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP. [from our special correspondent.] [bt telegraph.] WAnganui, Sunday. The Bowling Tournament was practically concluded Wb night, although a few matches are still unfinished, and will probably be got off to-morrow morning if the weather permits. Your readers will be glad to learn that; the Napier men have maintained a worthy position right through the tournament, and they have carried off the firßt prize' (four pairs of silver-mounted bowls, or four gold medals of their value if they prefer them). In order to prevent any misunderstanding as to the position which has arisen over first place, it may be as well to state that up to yesterday afternoon Napier and New Plymouth were ties for the leading place. Napier was beaten by Newtown by one point, the last head resulting in a tie, which was won by Newtown. It looked then as if New Plymouth would come out on top, but the Thorndon men put the New Plymouth team down amidst great excitement, as this again equalised matters. Later on the positions were curiously reversed by Napier defeating Thorndon (which had just beaten New Plymouth) and by New Plymouth putting down Newtown (which had just beaten Napier). New Plymouth up to this time still held two byes from Nelson and Gisborne, and the byes were included in their 16 matches as wins. Both the Nelson and Gisborne men were anxious to play off their byes, which, as I have previously stated, were given by them solely because the two teams were a day late in arriving at Wanganui. The New Plymouth men, however, were not at all desirous of playing off the byes. On the contrary they absolutely refused to do so, and insisted on claiming the byes as wins. This was manifestly unfair to the Napier men, who had 16 matches to their credit. Not only that, but New Plymouth had already claimed a bye from Nelson on the ground that the team had not arrived, whilst Nelson by beating Napier had put them a game behind. I am informed on the best authority that both the Wanganui and Feilding teams were so anxious to see fair play that they actually offered to give them an opportunity to play Nelson and Gisborne, but the New Plymouth men refused to do co. The position, therefore, became somewhat unsatisfactory;'and it was keenly discussed yesterday afternoon amongst the other teams. The Napier men took no action at all in the matter, Evans simply stating that he was perfectly prepared to accept whatever decision the tournament committee arrived at. The committee met later on (about 16 being present;, when they decided by a unanimous vote that as Napier had won 16 matches, with four losses, and New Plymouth had only won 14, with four losses, Napier was entitled in all fairness to the first prize. They also resolved unanimously not to allow the New Plymouth team the two byes from Nelson and Gisborne. The decision of the committee appears to have given general satisfaction all round, except to the New Plymouth team, and it is felt as they refused to play the byes the committee oould not reasonably take any other course. ; Gray, the New Plymouth skip, evidently feels very sore over the matter, judging by his tone at the smoke concert last night. The president of the Wanganui Club (Mr Spurdle), in a happy little speech, proposed the toast of the " runners up." Mr Gray, in responding, whilst thanking them for toasting his team, said he felt greatly disappointed with the decision of the committee,, but it was no usp discussing the matter there, the inference being that he intended to discuss it elsewhere. His remarks were received with ominous silence. There is some talk of Napier and If ew Plymouth playing a friendly match to-morrow morning, but as the fine weather has broken up, and it has rained heavily nearly all to-day, the fihances are that the game may not eventuate. The other Napier team (Bluff Hill) are also wall up in the tournament. They occupy the position of third place with thirteen wins and seven losses, but as there are only two prizes New Plymouth, of course, takes the second one. It must be very satisfactory to Napier bowlers that their representatives so ably sustained the reputation of your city as a prominent bowling centre, It may be recollected that at the Northern Bowling Association tournament at Napier last year the Bluff Hill Club won tho champion rink prize, whilst Napier tied with Wftnganui for second place, but lost it in playjpg off. In the present case the Napier take first prize, Bluff Hill coming in a good third. The Hastings team to-day lost three matches to Nelson, Auckland, and Wanganui, but defeated Gisborne and Palmerston, Panevirke defeated Wellington and Wavarley, but fell before Blenheim and Carterton. The smoke concert at the Butland Hotel last night was very successful. About 130 bowlers were present, including the veteran Mr James Paul, of New Plymouth, who has watched the various matches in the tournament with great interest. Mr Paul last night strongly urged on those present the desirableness of substituting for tournaments an annual match between tfre North and Sputh Islands to be played at Wei) ington, and he aaked it as a personal favor, that bis proposal should receive consideration from the yflrious North Island clubs. Mr #sra»s, of Napier, replied to the toaßt of the''' Winnipg Team," and two of the Napier visitors contributed items at the concert.

Oisborno 20 v. Nelson 10. Newtown 21 v. Napier 20. Hastings 11 y, Wanganui 15. Feilding 14 v. Blenheim 15. Bluff Hill 16 v. Auckland 18. Hawera 14 v. Wellington 15. Kemuera 10 v. Newmarket 17. Victoria 8 v. Waverloy 13. Carterton 12 v. Danevirke 11. Fifth Round. New Plymouth a bye. Palmerston 12 v. Nelson 18. Thorndon 7 v. Napier 20. Gisborne 9 v. Wanganui 19. Newtowii 7 v. Blenheim 10. Hastings 15 v. Auckland 18. Bluff Hill 12 v. Newmarket 14. New Plymouth declining to play the Nelson and Gisborne games the championship was awarded to Napier at the meeting of the tournament committee on Saturday evening, New Plymouth being second. The Auckland, Bluff Hill, Newtown, Wanganui, Wellington, and Newmarket rinks tied for third place, and these matohes will be played on Monday, as also the match in the fifth round between Hawera and Waverley. It is understood New Plymouth and Napier play a friendly match to decide which is the better rink.