NOTES BY JACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 33

NOTES BY JACK.

The season for 1893-94 is over, and no one can say that it has* been a success from a fine weather point of view, at any rate. The rain came down persistently Saturday after Saturday^ and many a match and game was played amid much discomfort, whilst a number had to be postponed week after week, and I can mention a few which are not played yet.

Taking all these drawbacks into consideration, it is a matter for sincere congratulation to the lovers of the game that its votaries are still increasing, and those clubs which have been in existence for some years find their ranks season after season augmented by new players. This is not to be wondered at, as each one who joins a club, and thoroughly enters into the spirit of the game, enjoys it more and more tho oftener he plays, and consequently tells his friends and neighbours what a fascinating pastime it is, and so the ranks are filled up. It seemed last winter &i if its popularity would all go to the winds owing to the ill feeling which had been engendered over the last tournament at Christchurch. Club after club began to secede from the New Zealand Bowling Association, and soon that institution would have been a thing of the past had not some ardent supporters stepped into the breach, and by judicious counsel* stemmed the torrent. The association was reconstructed, its rules amended, officers appointed, who infused fresh energy amongst tho remaining faithful few, the waverers were induced to stand fast, till now it is in as strong a position as it ever occupied. Much of this is due to the happy inspiration of the president, who proposed that a team cf four rinks at least from the clubs in and around Dunedin who had always adhered to the association should pay a visit to kindred clubs south of that city. It was not the intention to go upon the warpath hunting for scalps .in the shape of defeating all the teams they might meet, and thereby adding laurels to their own brows, but rather with the wish to hold out the olive branch and point out to the different clubs visited the advisability and advantages which naturally accrue from having a supreme body, in which every club affiliated would have an interest, and which would control all matters connected with the game for the general good. The peregrination of the representatives duly took place, and a glorious week they had of it from all accounts, being most warmly and hospitably received everywhere they stoped at, which hospitality and |kindness they generously reciprocated by losing every match they played — because they could not do any better, I suppose. I would not for a moment insinuate that this was done wilfully ; I honestly believe that they were well and thoroughly beaten — aye, and deservedly beaten— on their merits, but the consequences were of far more importance than the loss of a few friendly matches. The visit and social gatherings which were held in the evenings smoothed away all feelings of irritation which might have existed, and paved the way for the pleasant Easter gatherings, which was held in Dunedin on Good Friday and following days. Of that gathering it is not my intention to say more here than that it was a thorough success, and was well enjoyed by all those who took a part in it ; and it was a good omen for the tournaments, which will now follow as the years revolve.''

Not content, hpwever, with the prosperous issue of their visit southwards, another team from the association journeyed northward to visit our friends in Oamaru. There they were as kindly received, and, as usual, defeated, but that was a^ matter of no consequence The entente cordiale, as the politicians call it, was restored, and thus the principal object of the visitors was happily accomplished.

I do not wish to be invidious, but much of tli9 praise for these happy results is no doubt due to the president (Mr Horsburgh) of the association and the energetic and very courteous secretary (Mr Butts). I trust that at the annual meeting the delegates of the association will show their entire appreciation of the unwearied efforts of these gentlemen to promote peace and harmony by unhesitatingly insisting upon their retaining office for another term. It would be but a small compliment to pay them ; still, it would show that personally they are not only highly esteemed, but that their efforts to put bowling matters on a proper and more enduring footing than has been the case in the past are fully valued. By the death of Mr Crombie, of Wellington, the game has lost not only a good player but also a most genial enthusiast. On several occasions since I first began to write these notes I have had occasion to mention his name in connection with tournaments, &c. Now, alas ! I have to add my poor tribute to his requiem. And what can I say ? Only this and nothing more, that he was one of Nature's gentlemen. A higher tribute I cannot pay him. I write feelingly about him, as my acquaintanceship with him was more that ot a personal friend than a fellow bowler only. May the ashes lie lightly over his grave, and may He, the great ruler of us all, grant that consolation and comfort to his widow and fatherless ones as to Him seems meet.

I am glad to hear that there is a good inquiry for Mr Brown's " Manual of Bowling " It is a most readable little book, and contains a very great deal of useful information about the game which is of use to all players It can be obtained from Mr Horsburgh, bookseller, George street. Dunedin, who has been appointed, I believe, sole agent for New Zealand while its price, Is 3d, places it within the reach of all. I can strongly recommend it to all those who have not yet secured a copy. Annual meetings of the various clubs are now the order of the day. I observe from last week's Witness that the Phoenix (Oamaru) Club have had theirs, at which they reduced their annual subscription by one third. Tbis is a step in the right direction, as many in these dull times cannot afford £1 10s who can spare £1. There is one thing in the report $ha.t

I would like to know something more about, and that is the "feather badges" spoken of as being competed for in the North Island. Aro these on the same footing as the bunches of parsley and green stuff that tho ancient Greeks and Spartaus used to contest for, or are they to be worn in the hats of the players like the eagles' feathers in tho bonnets of the Highland chieftains, or what the mischief are they for at all, at all ?

The greens have, in and around Dunedin at any rate, now all been top-dressed. I saw from a paragraph in the Witness of a week ago that Mr Evans had done up the Caledonian one in a most approved style, and in a manner which betokens that next season the members of that club will have what they never have had before — a perfectly level and true green. Mr Evans obtained his idea, I believe, from the caretaker of the Meadowbank Club, Oainaru, who has for some seasons past top-dressed that green in a similar manner, and which has always given the greatest satisfaction. Mr Evans's work is the more praiseworthy as it is done by him gratuitously, the expense upon his club of making the various alterations and improvements which they carried out last winter having proved a heavy drain upon their funds. A number of members of the Caledonian Bowling Club, at the invitation of their genial president (Mr O. F. Greenslade), paid a visit to his summer residence at Burkes last Saturday. The drive there and back was very enjoyable, and tho view to be obtained from the property cannot be surpassed, taking in, as it does, the Peninsula, Port Chalmers, and the Heads. Tho visitors passed tho time away playing lawn tennis and skittles. Eatables, &c, were provided in profusion. Mr Greenslade was heartily thanked for his hospitality, and, in reply, stated that he expected to have many such trips on fine Saturdays during winter.