THE NEW ZEALAND BOWLERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13697, 13 September 1906, Page 2

THE NEW ZEALAND BOWLERS.

'JHEIR BRITISH EXPERIENCES,

(Ftou Qua Own Oorrespokt>t;xt.)

LONDON', J„ly 27. The Eve bowlers from Auckland—Messrs 0. Tutt, W. H. Mercer, W. Lyons.' G. Fletcher, and J. Butt—have opened their fortninht.'.s coiitpaißii in London with much success. lir ivory' game they have* gone off with tho lea.d, and though leiug defeated upon three occasions, tlioy uero in. each instanco down ivlian playing iti the semi<ta.rkneKs into which tho games hero are so often prolonged. Tho visiting howlers held Dr W. 0. draw's intoiwfwna. rink «t the Crystal I'alaco until tho. vary-last ond, when'the doctor, by a realty wonderful "wood," cut out tho colonists, who, with five bowls in, wero lying to win. The visitors lost only by 4 poinU—22' to 18. On tho South london Green tho New Zealanders stood at 3 to nil in their favour, when a remarkable reversal of fortnno took place. Tlipy <|kl pot Ecoro a finglo. ehot,' in tho hut'nino heads, tlio failing light evident!* handicapping theiii. They lost by 3 pojnt6. Tho opponents were a strong rink captained by Mr J. Bryant,, tho old internationalist.

At. Iho North London Greon, Mr W, 11. Mercer and Mr Tutt won a clever victory against. W, If. Ilood, the Gold Badge champion of the London and Southern Counties Howling Association, and Mr E. Meyrick; Taking tho lead from tho first tho colonists ran ' p'.it by 10 points! Mr Hood stated that Mr Mercer and Mr Tutt were the two finest bowlers he had over seen. In a second match played at North London, the >.ew Zealandcru were well ahead, when Mr Lyons v.as taken ill'through a severe attack of JmnHgo, which still confines him to his room. A doeior was sent for, »nd muob sympathy was felt and expressed for tlio visitor. In conse<|itonco of his illness Mr Lyons will not he able to tako part in trio match to-day, in which tlio New Zealanders 3iad arranged to meet an English team captained by Dr W. G. Graco at tho Crystal Palace. ;

Yesterday the Auckland men met tho Read, ing Biscuit. Faotory team, and they woro acoorded quite a' town's wolcomc. They had as their leading player Mrs Rhoda Bowles, tho well-ktiown authority upon ohoss. Tho game wont in their favour intil the twelfth end, when tho light became very bad. Tho latest part of tho contest. took placo with lights shown to. indicato tho position of tho jack. To-morrow tho Now ZcaJaml gentlemen . intend to witness tho. Kngland versus Scotland match, arranged under tho auspiccs of the London and Southern Counties Bowling Association; whilo on Monday next they arc to meet Dr W. G. GracoWour internationalists at tho Crystal Palace in a match, tho losers of which aro to nay for hats for tho winners.

The Earl of Cavrington is displaying a specially keen interest in tho various matches which the visiting Now Zoalanders aro playing, and ho has notified his pleaeuro in proposing thorn as honorary members of tho National Liberal Club during their sojourn in Loijdon. T[ioy wcro cntcrtainod at , the club a few days ago. On one occasion the visitors were assisted in thoir game by Mr S. Fortesque, who is woll known to colonial playere. In each of tho, earlier coptcste Mr Lyons cap tained the New Zealariders. It "is hoped that tho ; unfortunate attack of lumbago from wliicjrMy Lyonfj'is nojr suffering will not provp of long duration; but at present he is quita incapacitated and unablo to, move from his lied at the Kcnilworth Jlotel, ; I understand that all arrangements for the colonists havo been' mado by Mr F. j. Fasliam, who makes a 6pecisl feature of bowling, and who introduced tho visitors to' Dr W. G. Grace a"d - other prpminerit howlers in England. • In tho eoureo of a .vfcek or two Messrs - Mercer and Tutt will leavo England for 1 Egypt on their way baok to Auckland.