NOTES BY JACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 1933, 25 February 1892, Page 29

NOTES BY JACK.

"Strong hands at the bellows and water tap ! " were the exclamations of the bowlers on Sunday and Monday, the 7th and Bth inst. ; and truly, from the appearance of the sky it seemed as if the powers of the air had combined to do their utmost to make our tournamant a total failure. Better counsels prevailed amongst them, however, on Tuesday, and on that afternoon a commencement was made with our annual carnival.

The campaign was opened on the Dunedin green with interclub matches between the Dunedin and Christchurch Clubs and the Caledonian and Canterbury Clubs. In the former three rinks were played, in the latter only two. The Dunedin Club proved of too heavy calibre for their opponents, and defeated them by the large majority of two to one, the total scores being— Dunedin 72, Christchurch 36 ; whilst the Caledonians also beat their old friends, the Canterbury men, by a more respectable number, they being more moderate in their demands—in other words, they were content with " being up " five points. The total scores were —Caledonian 41, Canterbury 36. More than that, one of the Canterbury rinks, the one skipped by Mr President Hale, defeated the Caledonian one skipped by I\lr Secretary Capstick by two points. That was in the natural fitness of things, it being proper that the president of the association should be a peg or two higher than the secretary. The usual complimentary speeches were made, toasts drunk, and cheers given for each other when the adjournment was made to the bowlhouse. Dr Thomas, of the Christchurch Club, whose rink

only scored 5 against their opponents' 32, wa especially humorous'and witty, promising that when they got Mr M'Dcrmid and his men to Christchurch next year they would give them " beans " and sundry other good things.

On the Roslyn green the first ties of the rink tournament were played, when the Dunedin Club sustained the first of their unbroken record of defeat in this particular department of the carnival. And here ib is worth mentioning that the Dunedin Club have been peculiarly unfortunate whenever they have contested in a tournament. Their teams go to pieces somehow or another, and as a matter of fact they never yet have won a first prize in a tournament since these contests have been instituted in New Zealand. In ordinary matches with other clubs they carry everything before them ; but when the rinks are selected to play in the other and more important matches which are usually included in a tournament programme they alwaj's come off second best. One reason of this is, I think, that the players are nearly all of an equal calibre, and — I hope to be pardoned for saying so— everyone wishes to be skip, and there is not the same discipline in their teams as I have observed in others. When members of a rink do not play harmoniously together, each playing his own gfime, there is not much chance of success.

But to return to the carnival proper. Some remarkably good play was observed in nearly all the rink contests, and more especially in those contests between the Oamaru (Martin, skip), Roslyn (Carlton, skip), and Caledonian (Ogg, skip). When it is considered that in these contests Carlton's rink only defeated Ogg's by one point, and were defeated themselves only by one point, after tying with their opponents at the 21st head, rendering an extra head necessary to be played, there is not much between them all. This was no milk-and-water play, and in the contest between Carlton's and Ogg's rinks above referred to there were several times three bowls all touching the jack at one and the same time. Whilst these three were the principal events in the rink contests, yet any reader of these notes in last week's issue will see that the play all through was very close and even

Another club from which great things were expected also was rather unexpectedly defeated in every one of its rinks. I refer to the Taieri Club. The players from the plain have ever since their rink won the principal prize at the Easter tournament, some four years ago, played in every contest consistently and well, and it just shows the uncertainty of the game when a strong rink like CarswelPs goes down at the very first. They were the very same men, with one exception, that won the first prize at, Christchurch last year, and yet what a change of circumstances ! There they carried everything before them — invincible indeed ; here they were weak and unstable as water — none so poor as to do them honour.

The contest in the North and South match also had its peculiar idiosyncrasies in the playing-oft' portion of it. No one ever imagined for a moment that the Kaituna Club would carry off first honours. In playing off on Saturday morning the Caledonians seemed to be off colour, and fell an easy prey to the Taieri team skipped by Carswell. The Milton boys were defeated by the Kaituna representatives by only 3 points, whilst Green Island made but a poor show against Hoslyn. The Dunedin team obtaining a bye, the Kaitangata men not waiting to play it out. In the second ties the Roslyn rink sustained a crushing defeat from the Dunedin team, bub during the course of the forenoon intelligence was brought to Mr Carlton, the Roslyn skip, that one of his sons had been thrown from his pony and had broken his arm in three places. This naturally upset him, and in the afternoon he could not play a shot, which no doubt partly accounts for the miserable score. But in bowling, as in many other things, there is many a slip the cup and the lip, and, as the saying is, there is nothing certain in bowling until the numbers are up. The team from the Taieri which defeated the Caledonians in the forenoon fell easy victims in the afternoon to the Kaituna team, and in the final battle the proverbial illluck of the Dunedin Club followed its representatives, and they were defeated by 1 point only by the Kaituna players.

On the whole it is to my mind rather a matter of congratulation that the first prizes went to clubs which had never been successful before. The Oamaruvians, who took first prize in the rink match, 'tis true, were the winners — two, at least — in the double-handed tournament held in Oamaru last Easter, but never before in a tournament proper ; whilst the Kaituna Club, which is only two years old as a club, though its members are all old players, showed by the victory they achieved that their right hands had not forgotten their cunning. The prizes going to these clubs will act as an incentive to more practice and keener play amongst other clubs that have not yet been successful in wresting the blue ribbon of the green, and will encourage them to try again, being assured that some day their turn will come,' and also that they will be the proud winners of the first prize.

In the single-handed matches the same peculiarities of the game were displayed, Mr White, the winner for three consecutive years, going down like snow before his old club mate and friend, Mr Taylor, of Milton, whilst other well-known good players were defeated by comparatively new chums. Mr Carswell, the wellknown Taieri player, carried off first honours, defeating Conchcr, of Oamaru, Smellie, of Green Island, Carlton, of Roslyn, A. T. Anderson, of Dunedin, Fraser, of Dunedin, and Taylor, of Milton — a very creditable performance indeed. Mr Taylor, of Milton, who was second in command, is an old general at the game, and a very hard nut to crack. He defeated Turnbull, of the Taieri. White (late champion), J. Thomson, C. Haynes, and J. Hunter, all of the Dunedin Club, not one of them players to be sneezed at. Mr Hunter, who came third on the list, and who is the best all-round man in the Dunedin Club, conquered P. Fagan, of the- Caledonian Club (a young player, but one who shapes remarkably well, and who will make his mark ere long), It. Blair, It. T. Wheeler, of Roslyn, and W. Cowie, of Dunedin, all good players, Mr A. Fraser, who came off best, is another member of the Dunedin Club. He is also a very consistent and steady player. He put down I). Campbell, of the Taieri Club, E. A. Atkinson, of Oamaru, P. Dow, of Roslyn, H. Oakley, of Christchurch, all of them bowlers whose names are familiar as being in the first rank, and steady, reliable players.

What would strike a stranger going on to the green during the progress of a contest would be the peculiar attitudes of the players after they have delivered their bowls. Some twist and turn their bodies and make the most extraordinary contortions of the face and body that it is possible to imagine. One well-known player makes a spring forward, plants his feet firmly on the ground and seizes his legs just above the knees at the same time, narrowly watching his bowl in its course all the while. Another I noticed so soon as be had sent his bowl upon its errand stood upon one foot, putting the other over it, as onjj would cover one hand with the

other, and there he stood until his bowl stopped. Each and everyone had his peculiarity about him, and although I believe none observe it in themselves, yet their postures are very ludicrous to those on the banks of the green. It was a matter for regret that our good friends from Christchurch had to go homo empty-handed, but that is just the fortune of war. They, however, cannot complain, as they have ere now had a fair share of the honours, aud have scooped the pool several times before this.

A feeling seems to be growing amongst bowlers that these tournaments come off too often. They think that if they were held every second year that would be often enough, and the opinion, from what I can hear, is forming that after that of next year, which will be held in Christchurch, the following one will not be held in Dunedin until 1895. To attend one and take part in all the contests means to a working man the loss of almost a week, and that is more than people can afford nowadays. The smoke concert on the evening of Friday, the 12th, and the presentation of prizes went off splendidly. Mr Hale, the worthy president of association, as a matter of course presided, and was in a peculiarly happy humour. The speeches, if short, were good, racy, and to the point. While the musical part of it was the best I have ever listened to at these annual gatherings. The arrangements of the tournament committee for the whole affair weie very complete, and were admirably carried out. The secretary, Mr Capstick, was " all there," aud kept up his reputation for his readiness to give all information and assistance that lay in his power. The thanks of the players are also most certainly due to the press for the admirable and correct reports of the various contests, and especially to the Daily Times for the insertion^ each day's fixtures in its daily issue, as well as for its detailed reports of the various matches. The umpires, 1 think, had a very light task placed upon their shoulders. Mr A. Mouat, who officiated in that capacity on tho Dunedin green, was always at call, and although he had all his work cut out in assigning rinks wherein the various players could try their skill on his green, yet so far as I heard his services were never called on to settle any dispute; and upon the whole, barring the weather in the beginning of the week, the tournament of 1892 must be looked upon as being like its predecessors, a very successful one. The greens also were in splendid order considering the weather, the Dunedin one especially receiving the highest commendation from the players. After nearly a whole week's continuous play upon it, not a bare spot the size of a penny was to be seen. Most certainly that club ought to be proud of Mr Martin, their caretaker, as well as of their green. A couple of excellent photographs were taken by Mr W. R. Frost at the Dunedin Bowling Green during the progress of the match North v. South on the 12th inst. The day was a ladies' day, and a sprinkling of ladies in each group gives the photos a pleasing appearance, which they would otherwise lack. A friendly match between the Euglish and Scotch members of the Christchurch Bowling Club took place on Saturday afternoon, and after a very enjoyable game resulted in a win for the former by 41 points. At Balclutha the final ties for the vicepresident's bowls was played off between Messrs Sievwright and Fruish on the local green on the 17th, with the result that Mr Sievwright came off victor, scoring 21 to Mr Fruish's 13. The tics for the president's presentation pair of silver-mounted bowls will now be played off. The certificates presented by the New Zealand Bowling Association, in connection" with the recent tournament held in this town, are now ready. The certificates are lithographed in black on finely enamelled cardboard, the design, which is exceedingly neat and chaste, being after the style of a steel engraving. Taken as a whole, it quite sustains the reputation for high-class work already gained by the lithographers, Messrs Fergusson and Mitchell. The final tie for Messrs Scoullar and Chisholm's prize was played off on the Milton bowling green on Monday between Messrs M'Laren and M'Pherson, and was won by the former after a keen tussle. oamaitu woollkn factory v. j. Amd t. meek's mill. The return match, Oamaru Woollen Factory against a team from Messrs J. and T. Meek's mill, was played on Saturday evening last on the Oamaru Club's ground, which was kindly lent for the occasion. The turf being in splendid order, though a trifle slow, some very good play was shown on both sides, the result again being in favour of the flour mill by a majority of 10 points. The following are the ecores : — M. !•'. Miller, Calder, Dawson, Meek(s) 23 Alexander, Scoon, Haining, Patterson (s) 12 Stephens, Hewat, Brockie, Thorpe (s) ... 22 Whyte, Cairns, Orr, Symington (s) ... 23 Totals 45 35 Meek. Factory. 7th Head ...18 3 14th Head ...28 18 21st Head ... 43 35 UU.CI.UTHA V. KAITASfGATA. The above match was playel at Balclutha on Stturday, and resulted in a win for the home team by one point. A very pleasant game was played, only marred a triHc'by the injudicious barracking of a few lookers on. The following are the scores :—: — I). K. J. Taylor, A. Bishop, A. Sievwright, J. Hogg(s) 10 A. Carson, W. Poole, W. M'Laren, J. Shore (b) 17 J. Chapman, J. Gow, W. M'Hutcheson, W. Frouch(s) 10' J. Carson, H. M'Farlane, A. Smaill, J. Nicholson (s) U J. Turnbull, J. Porteous, J. Bentley, J. Nelson (s) W A. Bissett, A. N. Hi&lop, J. Hislop, W. Shaw(s) ... " _ W Totals 51 50