BOWLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 59

BOWLING.

I 8«r«t»rln are requested tt forward particulars srgauu plays* tad «f forthcemiuf matches. BY TOUCHER. It is with pleasure that I have to note tho manner 111 which tho St Kilda Club is pushing on its improvements. Messrs Henderson and Barclay were the successful tenderers for the pavilion. The building is to be up-to-date, and will be the finest of its kind in the South Island. Mr Saunders is attending to the topdressing and final preparations. Messrs R. ('. Hocking, ot Kaituna, and J. Perry, ot the Caledonian, recently journeyed to Palmorston and top-dressed the green, putting the finishing touches on it, much to the satisfaction of the local bowlers. I The Kaituna green is looking well. The ! caretaker rolled it on Saturday. It is to 1 be hoped that the top-dressing will not ', bo put on for another month. 1 expect to see this green one of the best in j and around Dunedin when the time comes ; to roll up. ; I am told that the Dunedin green has been top-dressed and sown, and that the caretaker is putting the lawn mower over the green. ' Whether this be true or not ; I cannot say definitely; however, I shall probably be able to give bowlers tho facts of the case in next issue. i The St. Kilda Club has among its members one of the most enthusiastic bowlers to be found in New Zealand. I refer to Mr T. S. Culling. While in Mataura last month a meeting was held with the object of starting a bowling green, when Mr Culling announced his intention of donating the sum of 50 guineas towards the funds. This will assist them very materially in laying down the green, which it was decided to endeavour to open in December. Very quick work this ! The Queenstown Club has received the assistance of the Gore caretaker (whose work is spoken very highly of) to top-dress its. green and put the final touches to it. Visitors to Queenstown will do well to remember to take with them their bowls, as there will this season be a splendid green for them to enjoy themselves on. The green at the Bluff is progressing, aad it 13 intended to have ii ready by December, if possible. There is still another green on the way. The residents of tnvercargill aie going in for a third green, and intend, if possible, to have it ready by 1906, when visiting bowlers will have no trouble as regards green accommodation. There is, however, still another' trouble th.it the Invercargillites have to provide against, and that is ro make sure that all water taps are kept turned off during tournament week. Messrs Ham, Findlay, and J. Rennie, please to bear that in mind ! The appearance of the Sydney City Bowling Club's grounds on a recent Saturday was' by no means suggestive of a place over which the shadow o feviction hovered. The place was gay with flags, and bowlers from various suburban clubs were present in great numbers, aleo representatives of the public, including many ladies. The occasion was the presentation to the club by the Lieutenant-governor, Sir Frederick Uarley, of the trophy (a massive silver cup) presented to the Moss Vale Bowling Club by Sir Harry Rawson for open competition. The City Bowling Club, which defeated the Moss Vale Bowling Club by the highest number of points, were the winners, the St. George Bowling Club being next. His Excellency arrived about 3 o'clock, and was received by Mr C. Forssberg (president), Mr S. C. Young (secretary), and other officials and members of the club. There were also present : Messrs A. Mowie (secretary Moss "Vale Bowling Club), E. A. Hind (secretary Manly Bowling Club), J. Hobson (secretary St. Leonards Bowling Club), Mr Rigg (president Victoria Park Bowling Club). In presenting the trophy, the Lieutenant-governor said he was sure they all deeply regretted that the distinguished donor was not there to present it himself, and they ttill more deeply regretted the cause of Sir Harry Rawson's absence. However, the very latest reports with regard to Lady Rawson's health were most encouraging, and they had every reason to'hop© that Sir Harry and Lady Rawson would be back among them again, and her Ladyship quite -restored to health. His Excellency also expressed the hope that the City Fathers would take into consideratioa tlie claims of the City Bowling Club, and spare them the use of those beautiful grounds. He did not see why bowlers should be treated with less consideration than the devotees of cricket and such games. Sir Frederick Darley also said that he had had but very little experience of bowling, as he had never had much time to follow up that or any other game. At a very early period of his existence, however, he made some acquaintance with bowls'— a brief acquaintance, however. In the year 1836, when he was a youngster of five or six years, he was travelling with his father and mother from Bristol to London. There were no railways in those days. They put up at the Old Castle Inn, a well-known hostelry jof that period, and were shown to their rooms. As he was leaning out of the window in the evening he saw just below it a beautiful bowling green. A bowl was close to the window, and be reached out and picked it up; but suddenly a loud and deep voice shouted "Drop that bowl !" "You may depend upon it, it was dropped quick enough," continued Sir Frederick, amid some laughter. His Excellency went on to say that later on the same evening a gentleman came to the room, and 1 presenting him with a bowl, said, "Here, my little man, here's a bowl for yourself." "I have never touched a bowl from that day to this," remarked Sir Frederick, in concluding his «tory of nearly 70 years ago. At the conclusion of the speechmaking a three-rink match was played by Moss Vale and City, the visitors winning by 62 to 51.

I have just, received the interim programme for the Invercargill tournament, which has yet to Be passed by the executive. It is noticeable that bowlers making the journey will have any quantity of playing, as it is to be conducted on the progressive principle. The prizes for the Rink are £36 and for the Pairs £20. I notice that our old friend Mr James Ham has again undertaken the arduous duties of secretary. They have also included the Singles. I don't think there is much chance to play singles, and the committee do well .to leave it out for oue

tournament, as it always causes a lot of grumbling if players should be in the Rink or Pairs.

In connection with art unions it may be said that " otill they come." The last to get the fever is the Outram Club. To be candid, one can put up with a joke once in a while, but when you come to be paddled with books to the tune of 10 (and from different clubs) it is a question as to what is to be done with them. In most, cases they will be returned, for it is not possible for one to bo continually on the '"' beg " in the shape of selling tickets to friends and acquaintances. I linve heard a great deal of grumbling this week over the art union business, and not ■without cause.

There is, I hear, likely to bo a notice of motion brought forward to have tho coming tournament run on the same lines as the Oamaru tournament, as there were complaints as to how some of tho games were finished at Christchurch.

It is with regret that I have to note tho death of Mr E. Cook, a member of the Kailuna Club. Mr Cook was a very enthusiastic bowler, and will be greatly missed by the afternoon players. Bowlers will also be sorry to hear of the death of Mrs Bee. of Oamaru, who has been in bad health for some time.