BOWLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11544, 1 December 1900, Page 7

BOWLING.

The returning Auckland bowlers from the Victorian Bowling Championship speak in the highest terms of the play of Mr. W. Ledingham at the championship. He was fifth from the- champion. His play was the feature of the championship, and he only lost the championship through hard luck. The rink that ho played at was always crowded by onlookers. The Argus and the Age spoke in commendatory terms of his play, as being about the finest which had been seen on the green. During the play of the tournament at the M.C.Q. green, a rink game. New Zealand v. Bailarat, was played. The New Zealanders were: C. G. Laurie. M. M. McCalltim, D. E. Clerk, and W. Ledingham (skip). Bailarat being represented by Norman, Hellard, Pobjoy, and T. A. Williams (skip). The New Zealanders won easily, scoring 55 to Ballarai'a total of 20. It was intended to have arranged to have a match between Auckland and the Victorians, but owing to somo of the Aucklandcrs having to leave, the arrangement did not come off. At a meeting of delegates of the Australasian Bowling Association, held in Melbourne, at winch Mr. A. Campbell represented New Zealand, the following resolutions were passed:—"l. The adoption of bowls of a standard equal to Scottish No. 3's. 2. The. necessity of keeping portion of both feet on the mat until after the delivery of the bowl. This not to apply to New Zealanders. 3. Touchers in the side ditch not to be considered ' dead.' 4. Minimum length of ends to be 60ft. 5. Blocks not to bo less than 20ft from the mat. Some of those alterations were owing to complaints of the New Zealanders as to straight bowls being used at the championship tourney. At a meeting of the Australian Bowling Association, Mr. A. Horrocks presiding, on the motion of the Chairman, it was decided to send a team to England next April, and to issue a circular to the association asking for names of members willing to make the trip. Mr. John Young, president of the New South Wales Bowling Association, intimated that he expected to take a team of 20 players to England next May. The following New South Wales players have intimated their willingness to take the trip, namely: Messrs. W. Bigg, M.L.A.. A. Horrocks, J. Hannigan, J. Brogden, H. Evans, J. C. Scott, J. Silcock, and J. Strong. Mr. Brogden was in tho first intercolonial team that visited Auckland, Mr. Hannigan in the first and second teams, and Mr. Alfred Horrocks in the second team that visited Auckland. Mr. Young adds that he expects eight players from Victoria will join the team, bosides others from South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, and West Australia. He adds: "If wo succeed in our object, as I beliovo wo will, P great filip will be given to bowling generally. Australians have pertinacity and pluck, if nothin- else, and we should go as a Federal Australian bowling team, and would have nothing to complain of in our reception in the Mother Country. Tho clubs sending teams to the Christchurch tournament from Otago are said to bo so numerous that it is difficult to see how tho Christchurch and Canterbury clubs will be able to accommodate all the teams.

The Thames Bowling Club is said to owe it? origin to the local manager of tho Bank of New Zealand (Mr. A. Smith), Messrs. .1. Hague Smith, T. A. Dunlop, A. and G. Price Brothers, and W. McCullough. There is a membership of from 50 to 60 in the club. The holders of Bartlett'fl champion buckles (Ponsonby Club) were again challenged on Saturday last. The holders, after their triumph over what was regarded as the strongest team in the club, boating the challengers by eight points, were on Saturday last beaten by what was regarded as a weak team, but such is tho glorious uncertainty of bowling that thoy were defeated by one point, after being a tie at the 15th head. The plaudits of a crowded green were given to tho winners. The then holders were Messrs. J. Court, Coutts, Stichbtiry, and Hutchinson (skip.), and the winners were Messrs. Munro, J. Montague, A. Bnrtlett, and Watson (skip). Tho new holdors have not been suffered to hold their prize unchallenged, as another team intend to try conclusions with them. The Devonport Club intend to commence to play for their club matches on the Bth inst. Jack.

OPENING OF NEW GREEN AT THAMES. [BY TEI/EGRAVH. —OWN OOTIHESrONDTvVT.] Thames, Friday.. The opening ceremony of the Thames Bowling Club's new green took place this

afternoon under most favourable conditions. The pavilion was gaily decorated with bunting. The attendance of both sexes was verylarge, and the weather was perfect, so'that a most enjoyable afternoon was spent, and the whole ceremony from beginning to end was a great success. The club was only formed a few months ago, but during the period that has since elapsed it has secured for itself a green which the visitors who played on it to-day affirmed will be second to none in the Auckland province in a very short time. It is situated between Baillie and Mackay Streets, in the very centre of the town, and there is no doubt but that it will be made good use of during the forthcoming summer. The officers are as follows:—President, Mr. Alfred Price; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. Smith, A. Court, and R. Wilson; trustees, Messrs. A. Price, T. A. Dunlop and J. Hague Smith; committee, Messrs. W. M. Foy, J. Watson, W. Burton, and the abovementioned officers; treasurer, Mr. Alfred Smith; secretary, Mr. W. Price; auditor, Captain Bayldon. The club's list of membership is a strong one, so that it commences its career under circumstances that ensure its prosperity. Amongst the guests who were present today were the following delegates from the sister bowling clubs in the Auckland district :—Auckland Bowling Club, Major Pirie and Messrs. A. R. Carnio and H. Green; Remuera Bowling Club, Messrs! J. M. Lennox, G. Court, T. Finla}'son, F. W. Court, 'and A. Holden; Devonport Bowling Club, Mr. J. C. Entrican; Newmarket Bowling Club, Mr. W. G. Fletcher; Ponsonby Bowling Club, Messrs. R. Valentine, J. Stichbury, A. Coutts, J. Buchanan, and J. Court; Mount Eden Bowling Club, Mr. K. Hovte; Hamilton Bowling Club, Messrs. W. Taylor, A. R. Cox, C. 0. Cox, and A. T. Creighton. The new green was opened by the president, Mr. Alfred Price, who, in a few remarks, expressed the pleasure it afforded him in seeing such a large attendance ,of the public. Ho said the club was deeply grateful for the presence of those who had come from a distance to represent kindred clubs, and he trusted it would not be the last occasion on which they would be prosent. He was also rileased to see so many ladies present, and thought with their presence, the club was sure of a good start. Mr. ( Price then, amid loud cheers, rolled the ' jack across the green, and declared the green open for the season 1900-1901. A ' match between teams representing the president v. the vice-presidents was tnen played, five rinks being occupied in the game, which eventually resulted in a win for the president's team by 115 points to 78. The result of each rink was as follows:— • , , . , No. 2 Rink: A. Buckland, A. Court (skip), 22. v. E. J. Milnes, Wm. McCullough (skip), 10. „ __ ... No. 3 Rink: R. N. Smith, T. W. Newman. F. W. Court, J. Stichbury (skip), 31, v. Captain Bayldon, J. Watson, J. Buchanan. A. Holdon (skip), 19. No. 4 Rink: J. M. Lennox, W. Burton, N. R. Cox, W. Taylor (skip), 15, v. A. T. Creighton, T. Wood, C. C. Cox, R. Ballantyno' (skip), 26. No. 5 Rink: C. J. Windsor, T. A. Dunlop, G. Court, A. Coutts (skin), 23. v. R. Wood, A. Price, J. Court, EY Hoyte (skip), 12 / No. 6 Rink: R. Wilson, F. H. Claxton, A. R. Carnio, T. Finlayson (skip), 24, v. W. Bane, W. G. Fletcher, J. C. Entrican, Major Pirie- (skin), 2. , At the close of the game Mr. Price again returned thanks to the visitors for their presence that afternoon, and expressed a hope that a strong fellowship would exist betwoen the clubs they represented and the one they had so kindlv come forward to assist in its ouening ceremony that afternoon. He concluded by calling for threo cheers for the visitors, which were most heartily given. . Messrs. Lennox. Stichbury, Entrican, Hoyle and Major Pirie each responded with a few remarks, in which they wished the Thames Bowling Club a most successful career. , ~ During the progress of the game, afternoon tea was dispensed to all present, under the auspices of the following Ladies Com-mittee:-Mesdameß A. Price, Court and Burton, and Misses Price (5), and Court, to whom at the close of the Proceedings three cheers were given at the call of His Worship the Mayor (Mr. F. Trembath) It may also bo mentioned that the afternoon's proceedings were further enlivened by a well-chosen programmo of music, rendered by the Hauraki Band, under the baton of Bandmaster E. Williams.