BOWLS Without Bias

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12357, 29 January 1926, Page 9

BOWLS Without Bias

(By

"ARMADA.”

Bowling was somewhat of a family character last Saturday, practically all being engaged in club games, so a run out to Lower Hutt was made, expecting to find most of the members of that club on the green. The attendance was not over large,, but amongst those enjoying a roll up were several who are old and enthusiastic supporters of the club, and no difficulty was experienced'' in getting a few pictures, As usual on the green, the utmost hospitality was again extended, and in addition to the sketches which appear in this issue, others will follow in due course. • * • * It is surprising how many bowsers were burying supposititious aunts and grandmothers to excuse their absence at their .greens on Saturday, and some of them must have been a hit late for the funeral, judging by the speed they were making down the Hutt road, which, by the way, is a long way round for Ear or 1. But Trentham is usually the graveyard of the punter, although occasionally some of 'cm get away with a nice little divy. • • • Lower Hutt Club had two or threo rinks competing in the Dominion tournament, and although they did not distinguish themselves they were not downhearted. and Quite enjoyed the games in which they played. One rink came up against the British player Mr Wade, and only lost by a point. Wellington did not achieve any great notoriety, Karori and Kelburn do better than the others. It is rather a feather in the cap of the Dunedin centre that the rinks, pairs and singles events were won by clubs in that centre, for it is big odds against any centre achieving such disinnctionv and as the British bowlers were also competing, the success is all vshe more noteworthy.

Considering tbe amount of money that has been spent on the top green at the Wellington Bowling Club) is by no means giving the satisfaction which might have bean expected. The rinks vary on the different hands, and some of the members are now declining to play on the green at all. Needless to say, the gfreen committee is as disappointed as the players, for no expense has been spared in endeavouring to get the green in good order, and the excepttonalljrJarge membership demands that it should/oe in fair order to provide the games required. The lower green is in good condition, except that the edges have been wearing, to which the long spell of dry weather has been a contributing factor. In consequence the playing edges have been protected with scrim during the club games, which has saved them to some extent; but on Saturday the high wind got underneath some of the sheets, with rather disconcerting effect. It is a pity that the top green is so unsatisfactory as the surroundings are very pleasant, and it has a good measure of protection from the njind.* Would the sand topdressing treatment—which has been very successful at Island Bay—lrelp matters at ail? ••• N • In some of the clubs a small proportion of the members are disposed to cavil because they are not selected for pennant games, but on the other hand there are some consistent players who have earned their selection, out would often rather, enjoy a friendly roll up on their own green with a few pals than play in a strenuous competition, often involving a trip to the other side of the city. One or two clubs, which entered less than eight rinks, have arrived at the conclusion that unless they enter at least eight rinks, thus providing games for 82 players, it would be better not to enter for the pennants at all. The latter, however, is rather an inadvisable step, for it would mean a diminution of revenue to the centre, which is already working on what is practically a minimum income, and surely all affiliated clubs should support the centre contests.

Mr M. Hodgins, "Mick” his pals call him for short, is an of the Lower Hutt Club, delegate to the centre, and the centre's delegate to the Dominion Council. He went down to Dunedin in his official capacity, not to play in the Dominion tourney, and he returned on Thursday lAst week, leaving two days before the finish. He joined the Civil Service in his younger days, ’his father being a farmer at Pahiatua, although "Mick” was born on the banks of the Wanganui River After 10 years in the servfce he resigned to take ur> the form on the death of his father. He has also been in the hotel business, ten years in Lower Hutt, and he has sferved on the Borough Council for a dozen years. When the war begnp he went into the Marine Department for years, and has since engaged in electoral werk at election times. He is of a very genial disposition, loves his game of bowls, and attends very thoroughly to his duties as a member o? the centre and the Dominion Council. * + * •

The top green at Lower Hutt is not in too good h condition, but it will improve with attention. It is corapgrativelv new. slightly smaller than the bottom green. It was originally a. tennis court, but the club gave the tennis folks two grass courts on the other side of the hard courts for giving up this one. thus enabling the club to got a green in reserve, It was not too good, and was rather fast on Saturday. Tho lower

green has been spelled for three weeks in order to have it fit for the British bowlers, but it will be in use for 'the pennant games to-morrow. * * * *

, Some of t|ie mats in use at Lower Hutt have the shape of a foot painted on them, a reminder to members of their obligation to observe the rule to that effect. There are some ’ other clubs who might adopt this little device, with advantage to their players.

Mr E. Guinness, past president of Lower Hutt Club, is another member who has now served a good many years in the Public Service, for he is Controller of stores on the N.Z. Railways, a very large and important responsibility. He was indulging in some nnk practice, and we noticed he had four badges on his sports coat—he was correctly wearing his club colours—these including the British bowlers, N.S. Wales, and Qtieensland. The last iq the laughing jackass, just as the kiwi is used for New Zealand. Mr Guinness had the pleasure of playing against both New South Wales and Queensland when those teams visited the Dominion three years ago. 0*• • • It is 23 years since the Hutt Club was formed, and the only member to-day who was cne of the original members is Mr W. Hendry, who has been president, green superintendent, and bas held other offices, besides having served on the committee for 19 years. He has resided in the borough for 23 years, and used to take a good deal of interest in school committee work. He is known in the city as manager of E. C. Brown and Co., Willis street. He still takes a keen interest in the welfare of the club. • • • • Dead heads do not count, in any circumstances, the only exception being by mutual arrangement in order to save time The inquiry was made on the Hutt green last Saturday. Dead heads must he replayed, and are not recorded on tho score card. * * -* • * It happened on a suburban green by the sea. He Was a nice genial person,* and very eager to become initiated into the mystic signs and rites of wood trundling. He was carefully instructed to the last degree on the laws of bias and green, and was then told to follow the instructions of the skip implicitly. Preliminaries thus being settled, he dispatched his first bowl on the usual "forehand,” his opponent following with a short bowl completely blocking tbe "draw.” The skip, in stentorian tones, called out to the apprentice, "Change your hand, sir.” With the gravity of Solomon, looking sorely perplexed and remarking that there was more in the game than one would think, the initiate changed *the second bowl from the right to the left hand, and befo*3 the astonished skip could realise it had made a serious attempt to perform the ambidexterous feat, What do ye bowlers know about this. There is a "clue” to this story. • # • •

"Great shot, Mac.” The kitty was all but in the ditch and the nearest bowl was about 18 inches to the left jack high. Allan McCaekill had to put his thinking cap on, for the shot was agin him, and he didn't want to burn the head. What did he do? Played the backhand with a stunning shot, got o gentle wick off the shot bowl and took the head. It wks a shot worth seeing. When the summer game is over Allan* gets a good deal of enjoyment on the green moth and is by no means a novice with the cue. He also is a member of the Borough Council and in business hours as to be found with the Westland Timber Company, of which he iB the manager. • • • •

He's following in father's footsteps. Mr D. F. McArthur, son of Captain McArthur, is not only following up his father in business matters, but in Ins feisure hours delights in the ancient game, and if he doesn't Happen to have one of father's cigars—which he keeps in the desk at. the office —he puts on his favourite old briar. It is doubtful if liis hotter half would let him sihoke it indoors anyway. One of these days ho will get hold of a certain black cheroot that Captain McArthur told ''Armada, and if that doesn't moke him cough he can smoke anything. Thiß year D.F. has tho honour of being president of Lower Hutt Club, and wilt have the pleasure of welcoming the British bowlers when they visit this green, which will be particularly homely to the Old Folks owing to the hedge of honeysuckle which surrounds the green. D.F. also takes some interest in civic affairs He has a bigger waist measurement than his father, but keeps himself fit with an occasional game of tennis, at which he is no dud either. • • • •

Thst well-known knight of the road, the Eastbourne ventriloquist, was the leading man for Woods against Milner, Lyall Bay. last Saturday. Valentine Vox had his bowls well trained, and backed un by Harry, looked like beating the world, hut after the tea interval Billy Wells, the Lynll Bay No. 3, came to light with his super-trained bowls, and things wobbled in the Bay's favour. CJheyne was also on the job. Well done .

Lynll Bay’s "King, of now appeared tu advantage, while JSveson

was still pursuing his old tactics "on the ball" with such monotony that "Ex" lost his voice in an "echo" that failed to mature from the bush end of the green. So the twenty-first head arrived 15 all. The lead drew the shot and was rested out. No. 2 fought just as hard* while No. 3 played 60 well that kitty was absolutely blocked, and Downs lay the shot by an inch. • • • *

The skips stalked to the mat, and Woods put in a block. Syd. Milner failed to draw. Woods put in another Scotchman, whereupon Sydney, l getting down on his hands' and knees, caught sight of a whisker of a shot bowl protruding about an eighth of an inch from the jungle of ''Woods," and elected to drive. "You can’t do that, it’s an impossible shot," said one. "Don't worry me—just watch." Talk about billiards shots, or shooting—well, it came off, and Syd. is the hero of the hour. It’s a 'downy" game is bowls, isn t it, Harry P • • # •

The pleasant walk through the Lower Hutt Recreation Ground past the Plunket building is a pleasant short cut to tie croquet lawn, bowling greens and tennis courts, but as the gate is kept locked there does % not seem to be much advantage in it, unless all the members have keys. We managed to surmount the obstacle going in, and we didn't tear anything. Coming out a charming vision in summer fashions produced a magic key, and enabled us to avoid another gymnastic feat. •*' • •

Mr Charles Trevethick is the green superintendent at Lower Hutt, and is hoping to have the lower green in tiptop order when the Britishers arrive. Eight rinks can play on the old green, but the new one is a trifle narrower than the other, and will only take seven comfortably. He is a native of Cornwall—his name is a real Cornish one. Brushmaking provides bis bread and cheese, but he never brushes the bowlers up the wrong way. He enjoys the relaxation afforded when trundling, and is one of the genial souls of the club. • • • *

Denail Ardell, pf Hataitai, recently returned from a delightful holiday in and around Picton Sounds, giving his beloved bowls a spell. With him were Brighting, of Hataitai, and a pal from Lyttelton, and they just had a glorious time. If you are in a hurry, don-’t mention fishing to them, for they will talk fishing till further orders.' They went out with lanterns one night, wading to spear flounders, and Denail had the record of spearing the only herring ever speared in Picton Sounds. They also had a few enjoyable games of tennis and thereby hangs a tale. * *' * o

Brighting may know something about the use of the racquet, but his partner doesn’t know as much about tennis as he does bowls. Two young ladies in their teens were playing one day, and the Hataitai pair challenged them to a game, no doubt thinking they had a nice soft thing on, without too much exertion,. But the fair maids set about them in dead earnest, and gave them a good trouncing, making the pace so warm that the veterans were glad to say " 'Nuff." Friend Ardell was the life of the party down there, and there were no dull moments. One day the boat got bogged and couldn't be shifted, so he turned up his trousers and pick-a-hacked the whole party ashore. He's been back long efiougn to get his eye and hand in for the pennant games to-morrow. • • a •

Our readers will have no difficulty in recognising our two Mussolini friends of Eastbourne. They belong to the Mussolini rink which challenged the Aberdonians for the Eastbourne Btars—unsuccessfully. But they are not downhearted. And there is no need to 6ay much about the "green" plumber. He is a noTed figure on the green and elsewhere, for where jhe is therfe is usually some fun going. * * * *

J. A. Davidson, who in the old days we should have called "school gaffer" —he controls the destinies of Epuni School —has just returned from a holiday on the West Coast, where report says he cleaned up everything and everybody. One would nardly pick him to be a schoolmaster, but the friendly spirit radiates from him, and has no doubt a good deal to do with his success and popularity in the school. It is the greatest thing in the world to secure the confidence of the youngsters, and he looks upon his school children as a big damily. * * * *

Thomson's rink from Southland was responsible for the elimination of Tom Gray's rink from Kelburn in the semifinal of the Dominion rinks tourney, but in the final Thomson succumbed to Harrautay’s rink from Dunedin Club, in which Siedeberg, the ex-amateur billiards champion, was No. 2. Wellington rinks have twice won the Dominion rinks, Wellington in 1914 and Nowtown in 1916. Tho honour has gone round wonderfully evenly.

The following is a list to date of the winners of the championship rinks:— 1914—Wellington Club: W. Grenfell, A. E. Erskine, W. J. Thompson, J. Porteous.

1915 Palmerston North: N. H. Nash, S. Dixon, F. J. Tasker, J. A. Nash. 1916 Newtown: C. Davis, A. H. Davies, A. B. Duff, J. Laughton. 1917 — Auckland : J. A. Ryrie, A. R. CoTtman. W. Coltman, G. B. Osmond. 1918— Otacro: W. Robson, J. Spinks, E. Falconer. C. R. Smith. 1919 — Karangahake: A. J. Andrew,' W. Given, O. Gallagher. E. J. Jury. 19*29—Wanganui : H. Brookfield, F. L, Anderson. H. F. Tilley. A. P. London. 1921—Karnnpfthakc • B. Hilton, A. Bell, O. Gallagher, E. J. Jury.