BRITISH BOWLERS IN MANAWATU

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2339, 8 January 1926, Page 11

BRITISH BOWLERS IN MANAWATU

District Wins 7 Games out of 8 GLORIOUS WEATHER GREETS VISITORS The visit of the British bowlers to Palmerston North has been awaited with interest by the various clubs that come within the jurisdiction of the Manawatu Bowling Centre. The visitors from overseas were promised a generous welcome and all that was desired to make the occasion a com* plete success was fine weather. One could not have wished for a better day than yesterday, a brilliant sun warming up the atmosphere that on Wednesday evening savoured a little of late autumn. For once, at any rate, there was no wind to speak of and later In the afternoon the added warmth generated by strenuous play, compelled most of the players to doff their club jackets. The games were contested on the Palmerston North Club’s green In Taonul street, where there was a large gathering of spectators. Including a number of ladies. Visitors Welcomed. A welcome was accorded the visitors by Mr, J. A. Nash, M.P., on behalf of the Manawatu Bowling Centre. Mr. Nash referred to the interest that had been taken in the visit by the Manawatu bowlers and the fact that special arrangements had been made to show their guests something of the country around Palmerston North, but In deference to the wishes of the visitors, the programme had been curtailed. However, he wished he could have shown them around the district, so that when they went Home their one desire would be to come back to New Zealand and become farmers in the Manawatu (hear, hear). Mr. Nash also referred to the arrangements that had been mad 0 to take the visiting ladles of the party to Felldlng for the afternoon, where they were to be the guests of the Feilding Bowling Club. The speaker also mentioned that New Zealand had not forgotten the hospitality that had been extended to the New Zealand bowlers when in Great Britain hnd to the progress of the game in New Zealand. It had been said that bowls was a game for old men, but there were many young follows on the membership roll of the Manawatu clubs and they took a great interest In the game. Mr. Nash concluded by calling for cheers for the visitors, which were heartily given. ' A welcome to the Britishers was extended on behalf of the muncipality by. the deputy-Mayor, Mr. A, J. Graham, who stated (that its warmth was accentuated by the recognition of the fact that th 0 visitors came from the heart of the Empire, which New Zealanders loved so well. "You are our own kith and kin,," said the speaker, “and I can assure you you will go away from Palmerston North With the good wishes of Its bitlzens for your future welfare.”

Mr. H. L. Young l spoko on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, and also referred to the meeting of the visitors as being made on common ground In that all were part of the great British Empire. He regretted that the team could not spend more time In Palemrston North and district, but everything that could be done had been done to make the sojourn a pleasant one. “Amongst Kind People.** Mr. G. "Wright, of the Lodge Bowling Club, Kettering, England, replied on behalf of the Britishers. He remarked that his team had had many receptions, all of which (had been heartily appreciated and were beyond their expectations. They knew they were coming amongst kind people, but did not think they would be received in such a hearty manner. “We have found your bowlers sometimes too good for us and your greens wonderful.” said Mr. Wright, ‘‘but we are not representative of the bowlers of the Old Country. Wo really came to see what sort of a country you had out here. Our Impressions are very favourable and we will havo nothing but good to say when wo get Homo.” Mr. Wright also referred to the progress ,'of bowling (in (Great Britain and mentioned that ther e were 820 clubs affiliated with the English Bowling Association and over IOO.OSD bowlers In England alone. Regarding the age of players, the present champion of England was 26 years of ago and in 1934, the champion was 24 years old. The game was' not entirely for old men.

Mr. Wright then presented Mr. Nash with the badge of the British bowlers and Mr. Nash reciprocated by pinning the Manawatu badge on Mr. Wright’s coat. Detailed Results.

The games ended In a win for the Manawatu players by 199 points to 127. Detailed results are as follow, Manawatu rinks being mentioned first:—-

J. D. Smith (Takaro), J. T. Bovis (Shannon), W. Broughton (Manawatu), J. Tantrum (Takaro), skip 12 v. Brodle, Hunter. Inglls, Mlnto (skip). 21. T. Clapham (Polldingr), K. V. Brown (Levin), M. J. Suhan (Levin), J. M. Bartholomew (Pelldlng),. skip 40, v. McAuley, Husband, Bryson, Main (skip), 7. A. E. James (Woodvllle), W. H. Gunning (Shannon), W. E. Duff (Eketahuna), G. W. Wardrop (Woodvillo), skip 2S, v. Baines. Watson, Quick, Clarke (skip), 22. K. Ross (Felldlng), Wm. Hunter (Manawatu), J. Wallace (Terrace End), J. Davidson (Terrace End), skip SI, v. Mobba, Whittaker, Edney. Wade (skip), 14. A. P. Stuart (Northern), P. D. Walker (Poxton), G. H. Trott (Palmerston North), P. Needham (Palmerston North), skip 21, v. Stephen. Baird. Fleming', Lawson (skip), 14. W. M. Tapp (Northern), E. Healey

(Poxton), P. O. Clark (Dannevlrke), E. Bissell (Dannevlrke) aktp 18, v. Hawkins, Wake, Dean, Wright (skip), 16. r B. O. Carter (Terraco End), C. Jennings (Pahiatua), W. Quayle (Peilding), J. S. Herdman (Felldlng) skip 31, v. St. Ledger, Harding, Thomas, MacDougall (skip), 16. J. B. Carruthers (Bkotahuna), W. Wakeman (Pahiatua), N. »H. Nash (Palmerston North), O- D. 'Fraser (Palmerston North) skip 28, v. Atyeo, Burton, Mathieson, Malcolm (eklp), 17, Notes on the Play. The Britishers approach the game of bowls from a very different angle to that of New Zealand exponents of the game. To commence with, their play is in the main confined to the draw, though the “yard on’’ shot is frequently brought into {requisition, and very ably executed as a rule, but very seldom Is the drive made use of. In a few respects the methods of the British players in action differ somewhat from tho practice of New Zealanders, it is in tire mannerisms of players that the chief divergence Is shown. For men of mature years, their activity on the green Is remarkable .and the sight of a skip or No. 3, or vice-skip, as he is called by the Britishers, sprinting in pursuit of the bowl as it went up the green proved somewhat amusing. The No. 3 in each team stands alongside his skip while the other two members play. This eliminates Instructions from the skip to his third regarding the method of dealing with the heads and tends to provide a more satisfactory solution of the mode of attack. One definite result of the British methods In running up and down the green Is that a game is necessarily of longer (duration. The time taken over consultations between the threes and the skips when they ar o at the same end, their changing ends when it is their turn to play, and the following up of bowls adds greatly to tho time taken over an average game of 21 heads. The fine sporting spirit in which th Q game was played by the Britishers was manifest throughout It was the fiftysecond game on their tour, and made their record read: 26 wins, 26 losses.

Afternoon tea was dispensed during the progress of tho games by Mrs. Wimsett and a party of willing helpers. British Ladles at Felldlng. While the men were engaged at bowls, the seventeen lajdies lot thq party were taken for a motor trip to Felldlng, where they were tho guests of the president (Mr. G. Bartholomew)

and members of the Feildlng Bowling Club. They were accompanied by Mrs. Wimsett and a number of other Palmerston North ladles and spent a moot enjoyable time. The return was made In time to witness the final heads of the tourney. Subsequently, In the evening the ladies were entertained at Palmerston North by Mrs. J. A. Nash. ROUND THE FESTIVE BOARD. Although the visiting British bowlers are. expressing a wish for the curtailment of as many public functions as possible while In New Zealand, the Manawatu Bowling Centre was unable to let the occasion of their visit to Palmerston North pass without some expression of the good fellowship that New Zee,landers always extend to visitors from the Old Country. Consequently, a smoke concert was arranged for last evening at the Empire Hall, when Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., president of the Manawatu Centre, presided over a large gathering. Associated-with him at the head of the table were Messrs. G. Wright (British Captain), Wake (manager). Husband (Captain of Scottish division), Thomas (Captain of Welsh division), Millar (Captain of Irish division), J. Linklater, M.P., A. J. Graham (deputy-Mayor). and the presidents of the various clubs in the Centre,

The proceedings opened with the usual patriotic toast, after which Mr. J. Linklater proposed that of ‘Success to Bowling.” In doing so, he said that he recognised the good that eventuated from such visits as the present One. It strengthened the ties between New Zealand and the Home country and he hoped that teams would come to New Zealand more frequently in the future (applause). Many persons might consider the game of bowls as a sport for old men. but there were many round the table who would bo offended if alluded to as old. Bowling in New Zealand was progressing and every small town had its bowling club. The reply to the toast was in the hands of Mr. R. W. Shnllorasa, of Wellington, who stated that the success of bowling in New Zealand was assured, there being no fewer than 15,000 bowlers in the Dominion and many organisations governing the progress of the game. Although ho was not in favour of too much government in games, yet perhaps something could be done in the matter of international play with tournaments, every few years, to which all parts of the Empire would send teams. True advancement, however, lay in the promoting of the social spirit, rather than the competitive one. Too much competition was not altogether for the good of a sport (Applause). In proposing the toast of ‘‘The Visitors,” Mr. Nash stated that his feeling was one of pleasure at the presence of the British bowlers yet one of regret that their stay in Palmerston North was so short. The visit, however, would serve to promote the ties of friendship between New Zealand and the Mother Country. The speaker expressed pleasure at the feeling of good fellowship that had existed on the green that day and hoped the visitors would leave New Zealand with splendid impressions of the country. Mr. M. Cohen supplemented Mr. Nash’s remarks and stressed the great part that sport had played in the making of the British nation. Mr. T., ,L. Harding replied for the visiting bowlers. The games had been thoroughly enjoyed and the visit to Palmerston North would be remembered for many years to come. In New Zealand he had met some of the best of sportsmen and the best of scenery In the world. He would be able to tell the young men at. Home who were willing tu work that in ‘New

Zealand there was a place where they could find a congenial home. All the visitors regretted the shortness of tho stay in Palmerston North but tho time spent had bonn exceedingly pleasant.

The toast of the “Municipality" was proposed by Mr. R. Husband, who stated that he bad an interest in municipal affairs in Scotland. One thing had surprised him and that was that towns In New Zealand wore so far ahead. Tho Ignorance of people abroad about New Zealand was tremendous and tho Dominion should advertise itself more. Ho had noticed the great Improvements and progress in roadmaking and the free way in which the Dominion borrowed money for such works. He had already received inquiries from a Scottish family about the prospects of emigration to New Zealand and he had sent back & favourable reply. It was a great undertaking to send a largo party of bowlers to New Zealannd, but the visit had been a tremendous success and of groat importance. “I congratulate you on the splendid town you have.” concluded Mr. Husband. “1 don’t know much about your town affairs but you appear to bo exceedingly prosperous.” Mr. A. J. Graham replied, and in doing so, expressed thanks for tho presentation to himself of a badge of the British bowlers. It was perhaps a coincidence that the Borough engineer, Mr. J. B. Hughes, came to Palmerston North on recommendation from the municipality to which Mf. Husband belonged. ’.

During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs. McKegg, Palmer, Ross, Runnlcles, Polklnghorno. Before concluding the proceedings thel* health was proposed by the chairman in a toast that was suitably honoured. TERRACE END GAUA DAY. The Terrace End Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Clubs are holding a combined gala day on February 6, when competitions will be held in all sections. Fuller particulars will be issued later. BOWES IN DUNEDIN. Palmerston visitors to the Exhibition and the bowling tournament may be sure of a cordial welcome from their Scottish confreres. Dunedin has no less than eighteen greens, all of which will be used for the tournament. On eight of these, the ladles are allowed the use of a rink. It Is whispered by a few old bachelors that .ladles should have separate greens. In any case, one never hears of mixed play. In proportion to Its pouplatlou Dunedin has more bowlers than any city In the Dominion. This is due to the twilight which enables play to be carried on until 8.45 p.m.