CURLING IN OTAGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21861, 25 July 1934, Page 15

CURLING IN OTAGO

SUCCESSFUL BONSHEL PERFECT ICE CONDITIONS CHAMPIONSHIP TO MOUNT IDA The bonspiel conducted by the New Zealand Curling Association was held at Oturehua, Otago, last Thursday and Friday. The matches were opened on the dam under the most perfect conditions. After a heavy frost overnight, Thursday morning broke clear, and bright sunshine prevailed throughout the day, the curling attracting a large number of spectators. In addition to a rink comprising the Australian visitors, there were representatives of 10 different clubs in Central Otago, a total of 88 players taking part in the bonspiel. During the early part of the morning the ice was inclined to be slow, but as the games progressed it improved considerably, and in the afternoon was very keen.

Two matches were decided on Thursday—the province medal match and the two district medal matches. These were won by Upper Manulierikia a-nd Cambrian and Mount Ida Clubs, the last two having played to a tie.

The final two matches were played on Friday, when again fine weather conditions prevailed. The curlers were on the ice at 9 a.m. and found the surface very fast, but a thaw set in during the day, and before the last ma;tch had progressed far, the ice was slow. Nevertheless, excellent sport was experienced and in the afternoon there was again a large number of visitors, who watched the progress of the games with close interest.

As a distinctly Scottish sport curling is attended by many customs of a characteristically Caledonian nature, as was shown by the many coloured "tammies" which adorned the players and the piper who paced the ice and provided a background of national music that put a finishing touch to a scene that was first enacted on a frozen loch among the mountains of Scotland. The morning match for local medals was won by the Otago Central Club with two wins and 42 points, second place going to Mount Ida, two wins and 36 points. Naseby won the afternoon match with two wins and 50 points. The winner of the championship snuffbox for the club with the highest grand aggregate was Mount Ida, with 7* wins, and the shield for the champion rink went to Mount Ida 1. with four wins. The leather medal was awarded to the Alpine C-lub. A "beef and greens" dinner was celebrated on Friday evening according to the traditions of that ancient ceremonv, and afterwards the curlers assembled at Oturehua for the Curlers Court, when many new players were introduced to the mysteries attending the game. Lord'' was the president of the New Zealand Curling Province, Mr. Ira Eraser, and the ceremony was carried through in the proper spirit of conviviality.