BOWLING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18954, 30 August 1923, Page 4

BOWLING.

By Jack.' In conversation with one of the members of the dominion team which recently toured Australia, he stated that the New Zealand bowlers were very much surprised to see the difference in the standing of their favourite game in New South Wales as compared with Queensland. In the former State their experience was very similar to that of the touring party which went to England a couple of years ago. They found that hockey players, footballers, scullers, and even prize-fighters received all sorts of attention, and were interviewed' and given civic receptions in Sydney and elsewhere. hen, however, a party of 32 bowlers arrived, representatives selected from all New Zealand, and consisting almost entirely of men who have been prominently cqnnected with business and professional interests here, as well as occupying the highest civic positions in the dominion, they were officially ignored, except in the Northern Rivers. In Queensland it was just the opposite. Aiderman H. J. Diddams, the Mayor of Brisbane, an old Aucklander, sized up the position to a nicety, and set the pace by giving them a civic reception, and this seemed to come quite natural to the congenial spirits, which they also met in other parts of Queensland. While in Brisbane they were entertained at luncheon at Parliament House, and official functions were showered upon them in lavish profusion. They greatly appreciate the kind attention of Mr K. J. Archibald, president of the Queensland Bowling Association. On most of the greens in Australia they found that a drought-resisting variety of grass had been cultivated, which was allowed to grow much longer than we allow ours.. Consequently the strength of the greens proved very , puzzling to the New Zealanders until they got used to it. Only one green was as fast as ours, and on that one our representatives simply romped all over the Australians,

The heavier greens, caused by the longer grass, have encouraged the use of wider drawing bowls than we use in Now Zealand, although occasionally some very straight ones were seen. The Mornington Bowling Club’s annual social in honour of the club's prize-winners was held jn St. Mary’s Hall last week, about 300 being present, and everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Dancing, cards, and singing were indulged in till 2 o’clock m the morning. Mr D. Cunningham (president) extended a hearty welcome to all, and with the able assistance of Mrs Cunningham did his utmost to make the function a success. The following were the prizewinners:—

Champion singles, Mi’ Jas. L. Smith; runner-up, J. H. Hardie. Handicap singles, Mr W. Hobbs. Champion doubles, Messrs W. Easton and H. E. Wilson.

Billiards, Mr J. H. Hardie. Ladies’ Club—Champion singles, Mrs J. Wallace; doubles, Mesdames Morrison and Connell.

x»xr Cunningham, in the course of his remarks, pointed out that the ladies had been a great asset to the club. It was intended as soon as practicable to make an addition to the pavilion in order to cater successfully for the social side of the club. Songs rendered by Miss V. Brown, Miss P. Carolin, and Messrs Jones and Guyton added in no small measure to the success of the evening. The singing of “For The" are Jolly Good xellows” —a well-deserved compliment to Mr and Mrs Cunningham—concluded a most enjoyable social. It can be said with truth that in whatever man does he reveals himself. We are inclined to think that we can hide ourselves, but there is nothing more patent in life than. that general demeanour conveys fairly accurate impressions of actual character. The persistent trier reveals himself ip bowls, and will meet with success in the game as in every other phase of life, providing, of course, lie has keen vision, enthusiasm, and judgment that are the national equipment of a bowler. The player who has no confidence in himself as an exponent of the game, will reach no goal, whilst the one who has plenty of confidence, but no ability, will get no further. Swank is of no use in bowls. You may bowl for ail you are worth, but you must bowl in order to achieve success. The swanker is soon found out, and if it is at all possible for such a type to be sensitive he must have some very humiliating experiences. It can also be said with truth that most successful bowlers are_ quiet and undemonstrative, and behind their calm exterior there is usually a deadly earnestness. They are too busy in mind' to shout.' Their conduct is in accord with natural phenomena, in which the greatest power is exerted silently. The best type of bowler is the one who is not blatant, puffed up with or conscious of his own importance on the green, but is like the man who in ordinary life proceeds ; calmly *to the work set before him without ostentation, but with quiet enthusiasm and cheerfulness. Bowlers do not fear the man who wears bowling medals so much as the skill these medals should indicate.

A smoke ooncerfc, held, in Dunodin Club's pavilion on Tuesday night proved an unqualified success.- Mr Alex. Steel, the club's president, was in the ohair, and he "was the right man in'the right, place. The large attendance waß entertained with a really first-class programme. There' were representatives from the Centre Executive and many clubs, and during, the evening the good service rendered to the game by Dunedin Club was acknowledged by the visitors. The usual toasts were heartily honoured, one which received special • recognition being "Veteran Bowlers," proposed by Mr E. A. Rosevear and responded to bv Messrs H. F. M. Mercer and John White. The former, who has just returned from Australia, received an uproarious welcome, and Mr White (an established favourite) was also warmly received. The recognition of Mr Mercer's work in instituting Veterans' Day was a feature. The prizes won during the past season were presented. Pleasuro was expressed at the presence of several members who had been laid asido by illness—Messrs Claude Young, G-. Morrison, and H. F. M. Mercer. The humorous side of the programme was strongly represented by Mr George Mearns and Mr Percy James; a clever ventriloqnia] item was given by Mr Gilchrist; quartet numbers by Messrs Newton, Mills, Blackwood, and Cooper; and Mr B. Rawlinson and Mr J. Alexander gave songs. Mr Les. Bur'k presided at the piano, and was of much service. Another Indies' night was_ held in St. Kilda pavilion on Tuesday, with a good attendance. Mr D. Duncan presided. Progressive whist was played for a couple of hours. Mrs S. Minn and Mrs Fnlck winning the ladies' prizes, and Messrs F. J. Lough and G. Claridge securing l the gentlemen's trophies. SKILL v. WHISKERS. . By the uninitiated bowls is usually disparagingly described as a game that was invented for the amusement of "old bewhiskered buffers" (writes Blue Disc in the Sydney Daily Telegraph). This description has been heightened bv even the makers of bowls themselves. Their advertising literature and show cards invariably depict players c.f the sere and yellow order. How erroneous is.this description when one considers ttie virile type of to-day's bowlers who in their earlier years achieved fame in more strenuous spheres of sport, and are now champions in a game that demands the mental more than ftie strenuous physical effort. Notable examples of thie can be found in every State—Harry Moses, international cricketer, is looked upon to-day as the best bowling skipper in Now South Wales; whilst Clem Hill was only beaten in the semi-final of the singles championship of Australia in his first season.