SOME HEADS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2727, 20 June 1906, Page 53

SO ME HEADS.

A PROBLEM.

When, some months back. I published my first diagram I intimated to readers that drawings of heads played or problems of" an interesting nature would, if forwarded to me. be gladly accepted and duly find a place in this column, but bowlers, with one or two exceptions, Rave practically left nip to draw on my own resources. However, better late than never. A gentleman well known in the bowling world, who takes niore than ordinary interest in the publishing of diagrams illustrative of heads played and who has on innumerable occasions passed along information of an interesting nature, has kindly favoured me, with a couple of drawings — a problem and its answer. The former will be found below, and in the hope that some of the younger members of the fraternity may take a lively interest and favour me with illustrations of how the bead can be won with the la3t bcwl.^ I hold back the diagram No. 2. showing how, by steady play and a study of strength, without resort to inadvisable driving methods, a player might overcome a seemingly impossibe task. The problem and position of the head are as follow: —

A is lying two shots on last head, which makes him 1 point up. with B a bowl to play. How can B. get the shot and win without driving, A's two bowls being both in the draw?

<»X THE BASF.

Some games are remarkable for the extraordinary amount of interest by the spectators taken in the doings of the players, and, not unlike a game of cards (when oveiyone looking on knows ihe player has thrown down the wrong card), everybody on the bank sees quite plainly the only shot to play to make a win possible. So it happened that one aft&rnoon, when a. oertain tie was being played on a Dunedm green, the contestants being two wellknown and more than capable enthusiasts, a little knot of spectators gathered round, and various were the remarks on the play as the game progressed. Of course, the players msde many mistakes — in the estimation of bystanders — and as a consequence the game was thrown away quite a dozen times, till 'at last it came to the final head. Blank was 2 up, and led off by planting his bowl right, on the jack. Janks didn't like this, and fumbled his bowl for a moment or two. The bankers commenced to tell one another (in whispers) what Janks should do.

"He ought to bust it up J" said one. "Not at all ; it's only a draw," interjected ? not her.

"Jank« will spring the jack — open it a bit; that's what he'll do." said a third, assuming an air of know alines. But Janks di-ln't do anything of the kind. He played wid-e, strong, and— went into the ditch.

Then Blank, paying carefully, got in a second, much to Jank^'e di s comnture.

The spectators took the thing in at a glance : there was nothing for Janks to do but draw.

"He mist diaw the second shot now, or it's all up !" c aid a well-known veteran. "It's hi- only chance : get in a f-econd and ■■pring the jack with his next. That's how I'd play it, anyhow." "Rats!" chipped in someone at his plbow. "What Janks wants is back wood. If he ran only fret ore on the edtje of the crof-k (he ought to play it now) he'll beat Blank with his last bowl "

'Thipk that's the game?" questioned anodic- "What about a "

•Wlat about what"?" snapped the veteran. "I think — c— " "There's no thinking about it. It's just as I said, nothing else."

The 'thinking" cne said no more. Janks plavod his second bowl. It became stationary within a few inches of the ditch.

"That's the place for it, Janks," called out a partisan, at the same time showing hii approbation by a handclap. "You've no right to make any remarks on this game," cays Blank, turning towards the bank and looking dead in earnest.

Just then a /lcmber of the committee camp along, and in his usual rugged way mqu'r-fd. "What's all this d jabber about? Are. you playing bowli or -kiftles 9 Who"- .Links plavmjr Blank 1 ' Well. Janks ought to knock the stuffmjr out of

BlanV and his pokers." Then he lit H cigar and took up a position. Blank took up his third bowl. He was not by any means sure what he should do, and in tho excitement of the moment put down the bowl and went to examine the head, forgetting that be had alreadytwo bowls in. and his opponent's bowl 10ft away. Blank came baok, picked up his wood, and stooped to deliver, right awayback. Wrong bias ! Then someone made a. remark, and everyone laughed. This brought the committeeman round again, and he said, looking, or pretending 1 to look, serious, "Here, you fellows, you've no d— — right to open your mouths while * game's going on. You — eh?— yes, thanks. Is it a good smoke?" Someone had handed him a <ngar. He forgot all about the game then. "J»nks has a grand show now. Now'a the time to spring it," said one. of the orowd. "He can't miss it if "

But Janks had played his bowL It went •vvcU back. Blank did not improve with bis fourth, and then Janks, in real earnest, picked up his last hotel, wiped it very carefully with his handkerchief inste«dr of, the dirty rag he had sticking out of hi* trousers pocket, stood squarely on the- mat, and considered which hand he should: pfay. ~ Meantime the spectators held thei* tongues. They all knew what Janka would ' do: he woxild drive, spring the jack, ami get a couple out of the end. Little more remains to be said. Janks han expert driver. He knew what to do, and he longed for applause.. Well, the time came for his bowl to go .-on ito < errand.. Ay.ay across the, green it sped with lightning rapidity. That's all. it did !

CALEDONIAN Bf>WL!TO V.L€B.

The annual meeting of the Caledonian Bowling Club, held in the pavilion on Friday night, was attended by some 40 members. In the absence of Mr Jqhn Weddedspoon (president), through illness, Mr W., Dawson occupied the $hair. A Member •verbally apologised for the absence of Mr R. Orr. After the annual balance sheet had been adopted the Chairman said the club might congratulate itself upon starting this "year with a clean record. As a rule the club ran pretty clo=e to -the wind; sometimes, in fact, they 6tarted with a debit balance, but on tfais occasion, in addition to being clear, there were prospects, of another good j year. The club had emended a fair sum I on the improvement of the green? nnd this, no doubt, had reduced the credit balance (13s Id). Other improvements included the installation of gas in the pavilion, and he could safely &ay" that everything was in tiptop order. — (Applause.) , . The annual report (given, belbw) -was' i then read and adopted without comment. • The conunittee, in presenting the annual 1 report and balance sheet for the. season 1905-6, do so with a great deal of pleasure, inasmuch, ' as » ?maU surplus is showp. The' membership o£ the last year has not been on a p«v with former years. . , The new greens- have accounted for the depaiture of several members, but many new members have signified their inteutirn of joining the club for next season. During the last season many improvements have been made. The banks on. the north and south ends have been rai»ad, this proving very advantpgeous to those play-

The piece of ground granted by the Caledonian Society ins been 'filled in and topdressed. It has also been, fenced, and a holly bodge planted.

The club was represented at the New Zealand Bowling Association tournament in Dunedin by rinks skipped by Messrs C. E. Keaat, J. Cowie, J. Collins, and D. Murchison; and. at Oamaru by rinks skipped by Messrs C. "B. Keaet and D. Smith. In the four-bowl match Messrs C. E. Keost and D. Smith succeeded in getting third place. In inter-club matches tho club won six and lost five. The PaLmerston, Balclutha, Stirling, Kaitangata, Lawrence, and Oamaru Clubs paid the club visits during the season, and the club visited Palmcrston m return. During the season much enthusiasm was shewn by the young members in competing for the numerous prizes. Tho president (Mr J. Wedderspoonl has been absent from the green through illness, and all members hope for his speedy recovery and his presence on the green for the opening of the season. The committee this year decided io hold the social and presentation of prizes a fortnight in advance to the election of officers and adoption of the annual report and balance sheet. Messrs B. Collett and It, Powl-ey ara deserving of great credit for' the as&iduous work done by them iv the interests of tho club. Mr J . Perry, caretaker, has done everything necessary to make the green playable, and Mr J. Collins, green supervisor, ' has pard a great deal of attention to the green.. During the season the club- lost two members — Messrs C. Barlow and T. R. Dodds. The members;" 1 assisted, by sister clubs and friends,_ collected a handsome sum in aid of the widow and family of the late Mr Barlow, and Meaara GT. E. Keast and W. H. M'Lecd have been elected

trustees.

The Secretary read the balance sheet in connection with, the subscription list opened for the widow of a respected former member. Mr C. J Barlow. The subscriptions -

totalled the respectable sum of £168 Is 5d

(Caledonian Bowling Club, £60 3s 6d), ajid £120 19s 6d had been deposited in the Post' Office Savings Bank for Mrs Barlow. —

(Loud applause.) It was decided to communicate with the president (Mr John Weddcrspoon). sympathising with him in his illness, and expressing the hope that he would make a.quick recovery.

In accordance with -'notice o£ motion given, Mr J. C. Abernethv moved — "Thafc nominations for all offices be handed to the secretary at least seven days before the annual meeting, when nominations shall then be closed, and a list of the same be furnished to each member by the secretary." Mr Abernethv said the main ajdvan-.

fcage to- be gained by the passing of this motion would be to obviate any unneees- ' sary, delay in the .election o£ ofßce-bearera at annual meetings. — After considerable disov«;ion the motion was carried.

The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year was then uToceeded with as follows:— President, Mr C. F. Greenslado;-

vice-presidents, Messrs R. Orr 'and James Smeaton ; secretary, Mr A. B. Brown ;t treasurer. 3lr W. H. M'Leod; committeeMessrs B. Collett. R. Powley, D. Smith, J. Scott, and L. Warsaw; delegates to thai New Zealand Bowling Association, Messrs Greonslado and J. Evans : auditors, Messrs W. A Smith and J. Xo)'th : selector of teams. Mr D. Smith The meeting ronrlnded with vot<\s op ilianks !r> 'a = t v<*« r "s •jfi";ce bearcis and th« than man (or urc-iclina.