NOTES BY JACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2258, 10 June 1897, Page 36

NOTES BY JACK.

The summer is over and gone, and gloomy, stormy winter is already upon us with all its stern severity. As if in revenge for the lovely season we have just experienced, it has come with a vengeance, and we must put up with it as best we may. Having had such a beautiful autumn, or Indian summer, the greens in and around Dunedin were kept open far later than has been the practice in past years a but foe the last

month or six weeks play w&» only indulged in on Saturday afternoons, and that to a limited extent. After the middle of April, even with a warm season, the ground gets cold, and although tho beat of slippers may be worn the feet get chilly when playing a game. Consequently few care about risking colds or something worse. The interclub matches Were on the whole very well contested, and a very great amount of interest was displayed in them. On the whole, I think, speaking from memory, that the Dunedin nnd Caledonian Clubn will have come off best, but doubtless the full results will bs published by-and-bye. What has struck me as rather singular this year is the Urge number of youDg men who have joined the various clubs during this past season — a larger number having become members than ever I recollecb since I was % youngster myself — now, alas ! more years than I care to count — and some of them will maka their mark in days to come, many of them even in their first year showing great proficiency for and aptitude iv pioking up the salient points of tha game. Our northern brethren held a tournament in Wellington in the end of January, and a few of the members of the Dunedin Club who journeyed thither to try conclusions with our i'rierrds there were successful in winning the principal prizes that they could compete for. I use these latter words advisedly, as the competition for the "banner" wan so hedged round with restrictions that no club out of the North Island could compete for it. This, to my way of thinking, is a most suicidal policy for any : association to adopt. If a tournament is to be held every match in it should bs open and free to be contested for by any club, rink, or individual, as the case may be. If the opposito policy is persisted in the natural result will be that few or no other cluba will visit them, and thus their so-called tournament will, in the minds of many, rank no higher than a common interclub mateThe New Zealand Bowling Association's auuual vournament was held this season in Christchurch, immediately after the one in Wellington was completed, accl was, as usual, a great success. The Dunedin players who i visited the Empire City put in an appearancs there, and again were successful, whilst everything went smoothly, Mr Wheeler, the able secretary, gaining great praise, and a handsome present as well, for the efficient manner in which he managed matters. There was one notable incident in connection with this tournament. For the first time since these competitions were instituted the Caledonian Club was not represented, for what reason I cannot say, nov can anyone to whom I have applied for au explanation inform me : someone had blundered, and I have reason to believe that our Christchurch friends— particularly tho Canterbury Clvb — are in high dudgeon about it. Perhaps the true reason will bo given ab the annual meeting of the Caledonian Club, which takes place this month. Ifc is a pity this should have been the case, as the absence of such an old and popular club from the annual tournament is sure to be commented upon in unfavourable terms. The annual fixture at Oamaru was held, as usual, at Easter this year, and I believe the principal prizes were won by the Oamara players themselves. Teams from Dnnedin— Caledonian, Roslyn, Kaituna, and Sb. Claic Clubs — competed, but they had to take " back seats." The Invercargill Club resolved to have a bonspiel on their own account at Easter, and they sent invitations far and wide to it. I believe the idea arose principally through tie Caledonian Club having resolved to pay them * visit, and also from a desire to have a tournament amongst the clubs uoubh <3f Dunedin in the most southern city of the British Empire in the Record Reign year. The Caledonians sent 16 players, Port Chalmers, Milton, Kaitacgftta, and Balclutha also contributing their quota, and from all accounts a glorious time they had of it. The green was good, the weather most delightful, and the hospitality of the good folks down there unbounded, and as everything went off in perfect harmony, everyone was satiffied. The principal prizes, by the way, were won by two of the rinks of the Caledonian Clnb. . The greens have now got their winter jackets on, and nothing remains to be done in bowling matters until next October except holding the annual meetings and talking over the successes or reveroes of the clubs and individual players during the past season, and I am afraid I nill not be very wide of the mark when I state that a good deal of "blow," as AnthoDy Trollops called it, will be indulged in on these occasions. I hear that the Caledonian 'Club is likely to be very »fc-ong next year. Mr George Walker, an old and tried skip, has returned from Wanganui, and again joined this club. Mr John Yates, whose name and fame in bowling circles are household words, has also returned to Dunedin, and if he remains will rejoin his first love. I have also heard that Mr Morrison. M.H.R., and Mr J. H. Hancock have resolved to throw in their lot with the Scotchmen. With these accessions to their ranks, and their present strength, this club should next season be almost unconquerable, and they may with great gusto Blue i My name it is Little Jock Elliott, And wha daur meddle wi' me il

The Round Hill Syndicate are about to commence a water race 11 miles long. The Homing Pigeon Club held the first race of the season from Maheno, a distance of 50 miles, on Saturday last, Mr J. Shepherd* Flying Shot being placed first with a velocity of 1189 yds per minute. Mr W. R. Hayne's bird was close up with a velocity of 1065 yds per minute, while Mr R. Shepherd's Marquis of Zetland secured third place with a velocity of 880 yds per minote.