BOWLING

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11411, 6 January 1923, Page 8

BOWLING

CENTRE, TOURNAMENT KMD FOB SOIL STERILISATION. In the centre tournament it was rather hard luck that the two Hataitai teams should have drawn together in the round preceding the semi-final, for this meant that one of them was bound to go out, whereas if they had drawn against others both would have had a chance of getting', further. As it was Halli-day’s team just scraped home by a couple of points, only to go down to Fairway’s quartette in the semi-final. Brackenridge- combination had to go all out to put the lead. on Gooder’s Wellington team, this being one of the* hardest -fights in the semi-final. Newtown went ahead in the second 'half of the igame to win by- four points. Both the Fairway and Brackenridge combinations are pretty well known in Wellington, and it was expected that they would hare a ding-dong battle for the final honours. Such was the case, for only a single point divided thorn when the last (head had been played, and this was in favour of Fairway, the score being 15—16. The winning team (takes the Flyger Shield and ' the Edwin Feathers, the : members a framed certificate, and the runners-up the Gisborne rose bowl. This trophy was to have gone to the winners of the consolation tournament, but there were not sufficient entries to warrant it being run. The centre tournament has been a most successful and enjoyable event, and except for one or two windy days the weather- could not have been better. The greens, have been very been, and the greatest harmony has existed all the way through.

This was the first occasion on which Mr Bi. W. Shallcpass had conducted the centre tournament, and-he is to be congratulated upon the excellence of the arrangements. Besides keeping the r fficial records 'he kept a record specially for the use of the pressmen, and greatly facilitated their work. It is by no means every secretary who studies the newspaper men, and t\ey full the courteous treatment extended to them. ..

Where new soil is being placed rn greens, or where new greens are boing niade, there is still need for the greatest care being exercised, especially in the sterilisation of the soil to bo used, for no matter how good the soil there will be a -big crop of weeds unless it .has been properly 'Stefilisrol" Of ; ooufse this can be overcome by backaching work, but prevention is better than cure in dealing, with bowling greens as with,anything; else. It is stated that the Christchurch Centre is thinking of disposing of its plant, as it is used so verylittle. so it would stem to "offer an opportunity .to the Wellington Centre to acquire such a plant. \ Seven rinks took part in the New Year's Day tournament on the Wellington green and 10 rinks were played, E. ,T. Hill’s team being the winners. Five teams played in another tournament on Tuesday, and ■Duncan’s team were the winners after playing ten rinks. The fifth round of the,colour competition is due ',toV;be played on Januafy 27th. and the fourth round of the junior pennant, at present held by Lyall Bay, takes place the same day. There are still two rounds of the colours to be played, and where club competitions are well in hand it 6eems as if some of the postponed games might be played off by mutual arrangement. If they are all left to tbe end of the season it is. doubtful if all the arrears will he bleared up. , The Queensland bowlers arrived back from the South Island, on Thursday morning by the ferry steamer, and caught the 9.10 train to Palmerston North for the match to be played there. They were seen off at the station by' Colonel Collins, Councillor C. J. B. Norwood; Mr B. W. Shallerass, hon. secretary of the Wellington Bowling Centre, ani Mr J. Muir. Surprise hasten expressed that there was not a more representative gathering to see the visitors take their departure, tor they will nut visit Wellington again as a team, although some of them may he seen in the city again before they leave the Dominion. It is rather a pity that they were not accompanied by someone ,who could have told them something' about tne country through which they “were passing, at any Tate as far as Palmerston North, but they made the trip alone.. From Palmerston they go on to .Rotorua and Auckland, where they catch the boat for Sydney. During their visit south they found the Caledonian green at Dunedin the keenest, and the president described it as being like a white shirt well ironed.