BOWLING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13449, 24 November 1905, Page 5

BOWLING.

Bt Rinkhr.

It seems iiarclh credible but it is a- fact nevertheless that Mr It. T. Wheeler as secretary of the N.Z.8.A.. receives a. budget of somelhing between 20 and 30 letters a week—all on bowls. There was a, suggestion thrown out at the executive meeting that in future gold medals bo given as association trophies instead of open orders, but nothing came of it. Mr M. Sinclair was not carried away with the gold-modal idea. Ho thought winners didn't want more than one or two medals. Mr Wheeler and one or two others thought likewise- Just so: it's all right for those who have medals lying all around their homes, but what about the 94i per cent, of bowlers who have not yet succeeded in carting home a portmanteau full of gold? I should infer from the conversation I heard that the South IslHnd rinks is " all over, bar shouting." It is to be hoped, anyway, that the south will win back " the- ashes" next January. The. 'Northern Bowling Association has issued the programme for the 1906 tournament. I find on glancing over the- halfdozen pages that there are 41 affiliated clubs, and that 19 of these clubs have chosen white amongst other colours for their blazers, etc. the tournament, which commences on January 8, includes interclub matches, pairs, singles, and a North v. South match. The entry for rinks is 10s per rink, 5s for pairs, and 2s 6d singles; entries December 30. N.B.A. s banner and shield cannot bo held by a South Island rink... The trophies throughout the pio'co are restricted to silvermounted bowls or "gold medals" "Toucher" (Ensign) in his remarks on the Southland-GonTgame:— "In future I think the rinks in matches should be arranged, not drawn, as we find a, strong rink often meeting a weak one- This should bo avoided if possible, and would make a much better game." There isn't the slightest doubt of the truth of the above lines, and I am sure that in many cases outside the big centres classification would infuse a great deal more interest, but in Dmicdiii-'-oli, my! I could fill to the brim a- large-sized jam preserver with delightful little episodes on "shunting" and other aspects! The clement of chance about bowling is one of its most desirable features: it is only chance that can possibly bring a weak team to oppose a strong one. The weak go down, lint they don't mind being bcalen by a stronger team—that is, in the city clubs, at all events. Gore players were disappointed the other clay, when only five .rinks put in an appearance from Southland after arranging that eight might be expected. "Toucher," in the Ensign, comments thus:—"Some time ago t-l-.o Southland secretary sent word that I hey would bring up eight rinks, but the day heforo the match • the team dwindled down to six rinks, and when they arrived here they had only five. Needless to say, a. large number of our players were disappointed, as they had mado their arrangements to suit the former agreement. This sort of thing dissatisfies players, when they find on arriving at the playing ground they are not required, when probably they could have made other engagements for the holiday." I quite agree with the writer. Tim above does not- apply solely to Southland, either.

Dimedin members are not losing time in forming rinks for iho big tournament. So far. I am informed. Messrs M. Sinclair, AY. M'Larcn, T. G. Young, A. Gillies. .1. Hunter. J. Thomson, and .T. Johnson have

"completed arrangements." and three or four other well-known skippers aro "taking in the situation." The parent club is indeed going to play a strong hand. It would bo nice to carry home the rinks, and it might ho fairly easy to keep the championshin in the district if—yes, it the North Island Prince docs not want another certificate.

As soon as a favourable opportunity offers Mr. W. Dall (official bowl-tester of tho N.Z.8.A.) will commence his duty of testing bowls not previously handled. He hopes to dispo.se of close on 500 sets before the 22nd of January. This is a rat.lier ponderous task, but, given fine weather, Mr Dall will make a big effort, and, what is more; the bowls which go through hTs hands are sure to be above suspicion.