BOWLING NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19129, 22 September 1925, Page 6

BOWLING NOTES.

THE PENNANT COMPETITION.

COMMENT ON THE QUOTAS. CHANGES FROM LAST SEASON. BT SKIP. The list of the season's fixtures in the pennant competition, published in yesterday's Herald, no doubt made very interesting reading for the majority of bowlers. The constant inquiries as to when the information would bo available indicated the popularity of this competition. Undoubtedly, the interest this season has been considerably increased by the inclusion of the four-rink championship. Praise is due to the compiler, of the quotas and the officials responsible for the arrangement of the various clubs. On this occasion the work was more complicated, but, thanks to the entry of the two clubs, Epsom and Dominion Road, to facilitate matters, a very satisfactory solution was made. Some clubs have gone up and a few have gone down, but, in view of the double issue, on this occasion, there will not be the usual complaint from clubs which consider they are overloaded. The two most noticeable changes from last season's quotas are those of West End and Mount Eden. The former have an increase of four teams, while Mount Eden have four less. Grey Lynn and Epsom have gone up two teams. The former, with 10 teams, are not now unduly weighted, as they are not competitors in the four-rink championship and can thus concentrate on the pennant competition. The two large clubs, Remuera and Ponsonby, have each dropped back a couple of teams. This is net unexpected, as previously their quotas were too high. A3 regards the dates of the seven rounds, an otherwise perfect programme has been unfortunately marred by the utilisation of two Saturdays in January. There was apparently no way of avoiding them. January is a more or less unsettled period of the year, on account of holidaymaking, and, in addition, the players taking part in the Dominion championships at Dunedin will not be available to assist their clubs. However, these are circumstances which are not easily avoided Uniform Starting Time. The management is to bo congratulated on fixing two o'clock as the general hour of starting games. This is an improvement that has long been advocated. Previously the hour of starting was left to individual clubs and the result was a mild state of chaos on account of the different times adopted. Now the centre has given a lead it is to be hoped that every club in Auckland will fall into line and make a two o'clock draw on every playing Saturday in the season. Previously ties in games havo been played off, but this season they will not be, half a win being credited to each side instead. This is a good change, as it is not fair to throw the onus of a whole game, which ends all square, on to an extra head. However, there are many old and seasoned players who do not agree with this course and prefer to play off. Although changing the reckoning of the percentages will not be quite as simple as before, the cases where it is necessary are few, and very little extra calculation will be necessary. A meeting of'club secretaries will be held on Thursday in the Auckland club's pavilion at 7.30 p.m. There should not be many more matches to arrange in view of the programme arranged by the centre, but the various officials will have more time to discuss matters concerning the general welfare of their clubs. Ponsonby Prize Night. It was a kindly and happy thought which prompted the president of the Ponsonby Club to tender a smoke concert to the prize-winners of last season. Functions of this kind, especially those held during the off-season, do a great amount of good in bringing together members and bowlers in general. The Ponsonby Club, by its deeds on the rinks, has a great record. One had only to look round the walls of the pavilion on Thursday evening to see ample evidence of this in tho shape of photographs, flags, pennants and shields. The Ponsonby pavilion is a veritable bowlers' museum. It was appropriate, too, for Mr. Letham, one of the youngest presidents in the club's history, to be complimented by the oldest member, Mr. W. J. Rees, on his capabilities and his worthy effort that evening. Mr. Jas. Pascoe, president of the Auckland Centre, presented the prizes. Mr. J. W. Hardley, who was recently elected vice-president of the Dominion Association, was present, and gave the gathering a good account of the business of the association at the . annual meeting in Dunedin. He predicted an enjoyable time for Auckland players when they attended the tourney in January. Epsom Retain Edwin Stars.

Epsom successfully withstood a challenge for the Edwin Stars by a strong Onehunga rink, skipped by that wellknown player, T. Weight, on Saturday. Victory went to the holders in the first four heads. The Onehunga men were slow to find the green and Epsom notched a couple of threes and two singles before the opposition scored. From this stage it was a very even game, each side scoring in turn with nothing higher than & two registered on the score card. Wright was in good form with his driving, but the opposing skifc, Crabtree, gave a fine all-round exhibition of bowls.

As the season for this competition is fast drawing to a close thpre will be some desperate games for possession of the trophies during the recess. It was originally proposed to open the new pavilion at Mount Albert on October 17, the day of the official opening of. the green. However, in deference to the wishes of some of the members,, a change has been made so that the opening of the pavilion will be in the nature of a house warming on October 14. The centre officials have been invited to attend.

The St. Heliers Bowling Club intends to hold its official opening next Saturday. Notwithstanding the recent unfavourable weather, the green is in splendid order and given a fine day a successful and enjoyable afternoon should, be assured.