THE ROARING GAME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22627, 19 July 1935, Page 7

THE ROARING GAME

BONSPIEL POSTPONED BAXTER CUP TO-DAY On account of a warm wind rising and the consequent possibility of a thaw setting in, the officials controlling the bonspiel at Naseby, whicli was to have been commenced at 8 o'clock yesterday morning, decided to postpone the fixture! until conditions seemed more favourable. The ice, however, held sufficiently well yesterday to allow large numbers to participate in the sport, and numerous unofficial games were played. It was ascertained that the ice was up to six inches in thickness,'and the surface was very fast and smooth. With the snow-clad mountains making an attractive background, the scene presented on the ice was a vivid and pict/uresque one. About 100 people were on the ice, and their gaily-coloured garb made a gay scene on the mirror-like surface.

A party of Dunedin cm-ling enthusiasts comprising Messrs 0. Balk, R. S. Black, Moens, Crawford, C. A. Phillips and Mrs Cantor left for Naseby early yesterday morning. Illustrating thi speed of modern travel, it is worth noting that they had breakfast and tea in Dunedin, and yet spent some eight hours on the ice. The road to Naseby is at present in excellent/condition, and this will, no doubt, encourage other enthusiasts of the sport to make the journey to* Central Otago for the ice carnivals. It is understood that two or three teams from the Automobile Association of Otago will motor to Naseby during the week-end if conditions are favourable.

To-day the Baxter Cup will be competed for if yesterday's conditions prevail. There will be 12 teams competing for this coveted trophy, which will mean that 96 players will be engaged in the event. With the ice fast and keen, the stones, weighing between 321 b and 481 b, of Scottish granite, will be watched with interest by a large attendance. It is stated that the roaring game is gaining in popularity in the district, and residents of Central Otago travel long distances to watch a bonspiel. Two new clubs have been started—Lauder and Ranfurly—and both have attracted good memberships. Lauder is particularly strong numerically, and the keenness shown gives promise of more clubs being formed in the near future. To-day's competition for the Baxter Cup promises to be a keen one, and added interest will be created by the appearance of members of the curling team, that visited Australia recently. It is anticipated that the ice carnival at Oturehua will be held next week, as the ice there is in good condition, and with one or two severe frosts the required hardness will be obtained.