BOWLING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19503, 11 June 1925, Page 5

BOWLING.

By Jack.

At a recent meeting of the Australian Bowling Council the most important business before the meeting was to consider tho .system of bowl testing. The report of (he Testing Committee was discussed and a recommendation that the table test bo continued was adopted. The consideration of details of tho Standard table to be adopted was deferred, but it was decided that each State be supplied with a set of standard bowls to govern the draws of rubber, composition, or rubber bowls nowin use. The question of the weight of bowls of different sizes was also considered, and tho recommendations of the committee adopted. They wore as follow-: —Diameter, 4Jin to 4 15-16 in; maximum weight, 31b 2oz; diameter, sin ; maximum weight, 31b 3oz to 31b 4oz; diameter, 5 1.16 in; maximum weight, 31b 4oz to 31b soz; diameter, maximum weight, 31b soz to 31b 7oz; diameter, 5 3-16 in; maximum weight, 31b 8oz; variation of l-32in either way. A handful of bowling enthusiasts in Suva have a new bowling green in tho making. It is almost fit to play on, and is situated on the watrfront amid lovely surroundings. The Suva Club held its annual meeting recently. The balance sheet was a rather remarkable one. In Suva tho club faced a time of great stress, but in spite of all that the club showed in its balance sheet that during 1924 it had spent £738 8s 9d upon the new green. There w-ore over SO members in tho first year, all of whom wore satisfied to practise on a rough rink, where only one “tianu could bo played. In spite of sucli disadvantages two singles and one pairs competition have been played. The election of omcers resulted in the now Governor, Sir Eyre Hutson, being elected pal ron. Dunedin bowlers will regret to hoar of the death of Mr W. Glasso, which occurred at Rakaia last week.' Mr Gla c se was a prominent member of the Caledonian Club, and wn« w-ell known as mine host at. the Caledonian Hotel for several years. About three years ago ho sold out owing to the state of his health being unsatisfactory, and he went for an extended trip to tho Old Country. On returning hh took over the South Rakaia Hotel, and for tho past two years had been a prominent member of tho Rakaia Bowling Club. The interment took ploco at tho Rakaia Cemetery on Saturday, and was largely attended. Tho pall bearers were four of hia fellow members of tho Rakaia Club. There is every likelihood of Palmerston North being included in tho itinerary of the English howlers who are to visit New Zealand this vear (says tho Feilding Star). Why not Feilding, with its two clubs? THE CHARM OF BOWLS. Some of tho charms and benefits of bowling were described in tho illustrated Mail recently by that groat traveller. Mr Frederick Stubbs. Ho lias wandered tho earth lor 20 years, and the only place at which ho did not feel himself a stranger wuk a bowling green. There ho was welctined aA a brother bowler, and given a game, and found happiness. He was tendering confirmation to the Reality of the howling brotherhood. Ho dealt also with the physical and mental benefits that come from being a bowler, and all he said on that score was true. There is one aspect of his admirable article that must have struck many who read it. and it. is that a confessedly inexpert bowler should he able to write so 'enthusiastically about the game. All bowlers know, however, that after his first efforts are over, ami ho has taken part in a game or two, tho desire of tho novice to master hia bowls becomes a passion. He feels that there is a mystery abonl their behaviour that ho must solve. Koine days they get beyond his control; on others ho begins to dream of the singles championship. Though he may leave the green disheartened one day, his voice may ho the jolliest m the pavilion after tho game on tho next. Thus ho is led on from day to day and season to season, until ho finds himself being considered with respect by the selectors. _ Throughout tho travail of his apprenticeship his eagerness grows. Bowling is a game that never stales. Thus we have an exi-lanat lon of tho enjoyment, of bowling by the world wanderer. ’Mr Ktnbhs, though probably if lie settled down anywhere ho mighty never be considered for a place oven in a C grade pennant match. Had he been an expert—that is, a howler with n fairly high average of successful shots he would have got satisfaction as is when tho player has really_ mastered the contrary imps, which at times take possession of his howls, that he gets out of tho game all it lias to give. The golfer thinks it. is a thing to see the ball soaring through the air but that is n ponr thing compared with the way in which a bowl, like an inspired live thing, turns, as if looking for the jack, sweeps gently up and snuggles lovingly against if. When (1m plaver has really concentrated body and brain on tho shot, his bowl carries out his instructions like an obedient servant. There are players who talk t.r their bowls, direct thorn what they aro to do ns they travel up the rink and shout warnings when (here is danger. And often tho bowl takes heed ! It. will be seen that there is a great -Dal more in the game than appears on the surface, more than any novice will find out in a season or even more seasons unless ho is a good sportsman- Tho novice needs to approach tho green in a humble mood, treat his howls with proper resnect. and when things go wrong, place the blame where it. should lie. He must, learn the right stance (lie right grip of his howl t'-e right movement of the body, the right method of grassing the bowl so (hat it. shall slide smoothly from his hand, tV.e right wav to Lake the green, and (ho right way to judge distance. When ho lias mastered these points, he can gc yn endlessly making discoveries, for the shots that may be made are countless. And that is whore the fascination of bowding is found. It is a game of infinite variety. Nu two ends are exactly alike, no two games follow the same course; no bowler has tho same degree of skill from day to day. _ As the mood of the man. so is the behaviour of the howl. Whether the sun shines, or the vault, of he<ven is hidden Ly clouds makes all the difference in the temper of the green. Tn its ups and downs, and chances good fortune to the unworthy as well as to the worthy, times )f jov and times of disappointment, it is very much liko playing the game of life. \KROCI ATION EGO'! BALL. rO THE t "a| T on Sn? - To my surprise I notice that T-Bgii School Old Bovs are to visit Rcaeliff ni, Satm-dav to fulfil them engagement with the Roaeliff team. 'Io doubt c eacliff is entitled to have the match played no its own ground, but surely the Otago Football Asso ciation could have made tho necessary arrangements to have this important match played in D-modin. A little forethought on the part of the Q.F.A. would have put I matters right. For instance, on May 30 Keacliff had a bve, and on Juno 6 Pencliff played Technical Old Boys on Culling Thick. Would i!t not have been more satisfactory if Technical Old Boys had journeyed to Roaeliff on that day, and so left next Raturday’s match to be played in Dunedin? I am quite confident that even at, tho present date if the. Reaeliff Club were ap preached in tho right manner it would ho | quite willing to come to town and give the “Sncoer” followers of Otago an opportunity of witnessing the two loading teams in action. As neither of these teams have so far been beaten (his year there should he a record gate. If, would even nay the O.F.A. to pav the expenses of the ?ea-4iff men Io travel to (iswn, altho-’gh th/ry might not ask for stub a concession. Another matter that requires rectifying is tho publication of the .Saturday’s fixtures together with the names of the referees. Ts there any reason why this cannot be done on the Tuesday before (ho match, as is the case with Rugby, Rugby League, hockey, etc.? —I am, etc.. Lover oe Spoet. June 10.