BOWLERS AND BOWLING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16071, 12 May 1914, Page 8

BOWLERS AND BOWLING.

SYDNEY VISITOR INTERVIEWED. INTERESTING VIEWS. There arrived in bitnodin on Friday night Mr A.'J. Whitehousu, a Sydney gentleman, at present on a holiday visit to the dominion, who occupies a very prominent place in governing circles in the bowling world in Australia. Sufficient evidenco of this is conveyed in tho statement that Mr Whitehou.se was primarily responsible for the despatching to this country of an Australian bowling team, and also for the sending of a similar team to England a year since. He made his stay in this city a very brief one, as he loft again yesterday, but his time time was very fully occupied, and, accompanied by Mr J. J. Marlow, Mr Whitehonso on Saturday afternoon visited some of our city greens for tho purpose of meeting local bowlers. In conversation with a Daily Times reporter 011 Saturday evening, Mr Whitohouse, who is New South Wales delegate to the Australian Bowling Council, had some exceedingly interesting remarks to say on various aspects of the game. Of /most value, however, woro his views on tho larger questions concerning the control and governing of the game and on the rolations existing between Now Zealand and Australia. " The relations between tho two countries are most fcordial and loving," said Mr Whitehouse, • " but since tho formation of tho Australian Bowling Council certain difficulties have arisen. Tho council is composed of representatives from the various Australian States, and room was also left for tho inclusion of New Zealand. Were this inclusion ever accomplished tho council was to have boon called tho Australasian Bowling Council. At tho first carnival held under tho council's rules no mention was made of Now Zealand. For the second carnival, held at Brisbane last Easter, the initial programme intimated that tho tourney was open to affiliated clubs in Australia and New Zealand, but "in the book mention of New Zealand was dropped. So far Now Zealand has not competed at these tournaments, it is unlikely that she will ever apply for affiliation, because she has always endeavoured to work out her own destiny in everything. New Zealand stands in a very different position to any of the Australian States with their -borders , touching and with their up-to-dato facilities for communication. Tho centres in New Zealand practically take the part of the States in Australia, and then 'there are so many bowlers.!'

"it has been reported," remarked the interviewer, " that there is a question of New Zealand bowlers being debarred from playing at the next big tournament. What were the reasons that caused that question to be raised, and is there any likelihood of the rule being enforced?" "V ■. " When wo had the last conference- in Brisbane at Easter time," responded ;Mr Whitehouse, " the question was raised whether New Zealand could take; part in the next carnival. It came up in this way: When the report of the team that recently visited Now Zealand was presented to the Australian Council it was mentioned that the president of the team had invited New Zealand bowlers in _ no' mincing terms to come over to the big carnival in April of next year. The president and the vice-pre-sident of the council and others said that under the constitution New Zealanders could not comp. A few of us still hold, however, that under the constitution, which is to ' promote, manage, and control inter-State and international matches,' New Zealanders were quite oligible to compete, but the president of the council ruled that that was not sufficient, and it was decided that a vote should be taken of the different States in order to see whether New Zealand, or, say, Canada or Great Britain, could take part in such a tournament. However, New Zealand should not worry about the matter because the Australians are sporting enough to admit that it had got to be and was going to be. It is only the pot-hunter who thinks that New Zealand would be taking something from him, who is opposed to New Zealand's admission. If a New Zealand team expresses a desire to come over and complete in the carnival it will be admitted."

" We principally differ with you "in New Zealand "on two points. One is as to having both feet on the mat at the' delivery of the bowl. Under tho rules of the Australian Council, all players must have part of both feet on the mat when delivering the bowl, and tho mat must be 4ft 6in by 18in wide. Over here, of course, you have a very small mat, and the player is only, required to put part of ono foot on it when delivering the bowl. Australians coming over here are under a great disadvantage, because they have been used to playing from a specified base, while the players here have greater froodpm of movement. On the other hand, a New Zealander coming to Sydney, would also bo at a great disadvantage, as he would not be accustomed to playing from a confined base. In 1909 New Zealand passed a rule that all bowlers should play with two feet on the mat, but that rule has-been honoured more in the-- "breach than in the observance." Mr Marlow who is president of the New Zealand Bowling Council, hero remarked that New Zealand would be prepared' to concede that point to Australia. " There is one other main point," continued Mr Whitehouse, ' but it is one that Australia would be prepared to concede. Wo say that a "toucher" is alive wherecver it rests, whereas you say that if it goes outside the playing area it is dead. New Zealand is right in fhis instance." After making reference to the great progress which the game is making in this country, and to the numbers of young men taking part in it, the speaker proceeded to refer to tho bowl-tcsting machine, which he described as wonderfully interesting. There was no doubt that the man who manipulated it knew thoroughly what .he was doing, but he could not understand how Mr Scott was going to convey his expert knowledge to other operators. A wrong opinion existed in New Zealand over the table tests conducted in Australia. The table used was a 35ft one, not 12ft, and had a resisting force, making :t equal to a 76ft green. Like any other test, it had not given universal satisfaction, but it has been qujto satisfactory under the weather conditions ex{>erienced. and no opportunity had yet arisen of trying Mr Scott's machine. " I believe that if it were ever tried it would givo satisfaction, but the bowlers over in Australia are not so keen on it as tho people over here," concluded Mr Whitehouse.