NEW SOUTH WALES BOWLERS,

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 58

NEW SOUTH WALES BOWLERS,

Mr H. C. Evans (the manager of the New South Wale* team) kindly submitted to a short interview. It can readily be understood that ho was a busy man, and I did not harass him with a pile of questions. In reply to a quesy regarding comparison of greens and bowlers in New Zealand and New South Wales, Mr Evans said : " Your greens are much keener than ours ; they seem to run much smoother ; and,, taken all round, I should say they are better than ours. As for the bowlers cf Now Zealand, they are ahead of us. You appear to make a study of the game — that is to say, the bowlers here take Ilc game more seriously, and 6eem to have more leisure. Of course it must not be imagined that the team touring New Zealand is by any means the strongest we could send over from New South Wales. The pick of our players cannot find the time to come over here, although many would be delighted to come if it could be managed. Mr Evans wished particularly to mention the fact that, on behalf of his team, he thanked the bowlers- of this c»lonjr for the hospitality everywhere extended. It was amazing, and they Ijad never expected such spontaneous and whole-souled treatment. It made them all feel that they would like to linger, but circumstances precluded a longer stay. Speaking of the Australasian Singlehanded Championship which is to take place at Waverley Green, at Easter, Mr Evans said that a team from these parts would be specially .welcome. There would be a large gathering of bowlers in Sydney at that time. For the first time the intercolonial match Queensland v. Victoria would be played in Sydney, and Svdneyites tooCc it as a very great compliment that so important a fixture should take place in the mother State. The M.C.O. would also send a team to Sydney, and it was quite possible that Tasmania would also be represented. "We would welcome a team from New Zealand." "Do you play progressive bowls over here to any extent?'' said Mr Evans. In answer I said we did not go in for that feature largely. "It is becoming quite an institution in Sydney," he continued, " and it is generally acknowledged to be a desirable and enjoyable side of the game. We are encouraging it in every way." You have not many proprietary clubs — No. not yet ; but I think the time will come when proprietary clubs will become necessary. Most of the Sydney greens are situated on the reserves, and there are people who would make it rather uncomfortable for the bowlers. There was friction some little time ago over the City Club. This club has spent an enormous amount of money on improvements, and it is only a few months ago that the council refused the club permission to build a new wooden pavilion. It was thought the building should be of a more substantial nature — brick or stone. In reference to Waverley Green, of which Mr Evans is hon. treasurer, the club has bought the property for £5000. "It seems a tremendous sum, but we are going along splendidly. Our income is £1000^ a year. The pavilion cost £950: and witn our rates and taxes and caretaking (£208) we spend close on £500 yearly. Finally, getting back to bowls again, I a«>ked Mr Evans what bias was recognised in Sydney. "No. 3," he replied: '"but our wood takes far too much groon for U6 over here. Perhaps it is the greens. We have been amused, howeveV. to notice the enormous sweep of greens the bowls take, and in our play we have- practically been lost." Mr J. P. Lister, president of St. George Club. Sydney, who was a. member of the N.S.W. team, renewed his acquaintance with Dunedin alter an interval of 40 years. He was here in the early " gold " days. The New South Wales bowlers played a three-rink match at Napier against rinks from each of the three local clubs. The games were very even, the visitors winning in two out of the three rinke, but being beaten in the aggregate by 60 points to 58.