NOTES BY JACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 36

NOTES BY JACK.

The new oonncH. has met at last. It is certainly a talkative body. The outline of the business transacted given below conveys but a faint notion of the oceans of talk indulged in. Possibly, as the members come to know each other better, the business will be put through more expeditiously and the presiding officer assume a firmer attitude and limit the number of amendments to a motion before the meeting at one time, and so avoid confusion. The j council has, after a fashion, granted assist- j ance to the Dunsdin Centre to carry out j the tournament. Personally I should not j be surprised to find that if there is to be i a tournament in January the council must take the' running of it itself. We shall know more on this point when the Dunedin Centre meets on Thursday evening. • In connection with the first meeting of die old executive, when it constituted itself 1-he N.Z. Bowling Association, the pica Is put forward that the council elected- - this year will also have to pass its own report and balance sheet at the end of its term of office. But there will be. this difference: the report and balance sheet of the ceunoil have to be in the hands of the various centres at least three weeks before the annual .meeting. There will thus be ample time and opportunity . for discussing these j documents and the "general administration of the council, and, better still, an opportuity of giving effect to any dissatisfaction by voting against those councillors who may be supposed not 'to have carried out their duties as the centres think they snould have done. If the executive, therefore, was the proper body to hold the first ] annual meeting, clearly the balance sheet j and report should have -been before the centres with the lust of nominations. In dealing with this matter it must not be supposed it was intended to blame the secretary for what happened. He read the constitution as others had interpreted it, and had originally called the meeting as the first meeting of the new . council. I am informed he "had actually prepared the notices to .councillors of the result of the voting, with a notice of the meeting, but was instructed to on no account send out such notice*. • North-Bast Valley put up a gallant fight against St. Kilda on Saturday on both their own and the St. Kilda Greens, and to lose by only 24- points in an eight-rink match against such enthusiasts as the " Saints " is nothing to be ashamed of. There were some surprises, such as the downfall of Molliaon before H. Thompson and Murray's defeat by MtJurdy. The colts' match between Roalyn and Balmacewen was won by Roelyn by 91 to 38. The wisdom of matches between teams of colts is very doubtful. Personally I think the skip of each such rink should be a veteran. "Things are not always what they seem" at bowk, and colts who succeed when playing what is obviously the wrong shot in the eyes of a senior get wrong notions into their heads. Their opponent is not able to take full advantage of the mistake, and the wrong impression thus gained may be most difficult to eradicate. The Green Island Club continued its victorious career by putting down Balmaoowen Club on Saturday by 35 pomte. Belicacewen is a young club, but it contains many players who will in all probability yet be heard of. Without in the least belittling the performance of the I&landers, it was only reasonable to suppose that seasoned efcips like Wattera, Smellie, A. Young, D. Buchanan, and Co. would prove too much for the young players from Maori Hill. The Green Island Green was in beautiful order,, and is «t present probably the keenest south of Oamaru. Fairfield put six rinks forward against the Caledonian Club on Saturday. They could scarcely have expected to score a win, in view of the fact that the club has only just been formed, and the further important point that they have no green on which to practise. Their play under these circumstances was most creditable, and as they are no doubt profiting by experience a good beating, taken in the proper spirit, is the best -thing in the long run that could happen. A win might jive rise to a wrong impression as to the necessity for practice and experience. Caversham players 'were naturally elated at putting down a section of Dunedin Club on their own green, and fervent were their wishes that the meeting on the Caversham Green would have a similar ending. The reverse was the caee, and for the moment the Caveraham boys were unduly depressed. They made a gallant fight with their eight rinks, and if they keep up their practice they will provide a tough proposition for any club. On the Dunedin Green Harming accounted for T. Neill by one pomt — a most meritorius win, for Neili was strongly supported. Each side secured a fourer, •but for the most part singles were the order of the day. Tillie also obtained a one-point win over W. H. Smith, scoring S at one end. G. Walker is an old Caledonian skip, and his defeat of W. A. Scott was not altogether unexpected. On the Caversham Green tne rink skipped by the veteran Hunter was the only one from DunedTn that did not have the best of the play. St. Kilda are entering four or five rinks in the January tournament. Those definitely arranged are to be skipped by G. P. Mollison, J. White, F. Carter, and J. M'Curdv. Another rink may be arranged by one of the several Camerqne on the green. A welcome addition to the St. Kilda pavilion is another new set of lockers. Nearly 100 lookers are now erected, and only half a dozen unoccupied. The "Saints," tinder President Marlowe direction, are a ■progressive club, and each member is an enthusiast, and the olub ties are causing much interest. 9r. Kilda hopes- to have its green second to none at tournament )rme, and Mr Mitohell will do his best to please oil who play there. The Taieri bowlers defeated Kaituna very "badly, five out of the seven ricks sustaining severe reverses. Doubtless the want of regular evening practice owing to the green being closed accounts for the indifferent display of the Kaituna men. C. T- Peterson accounted for Stevenson by 17 to 9. The Taieri players' total was made up of all singles. Tait scored at U heads to Sandere's 7 'heads. Campbell smothered F. Smith, who managed to score five singles. Campbell's to«aJ \ncluded two ¥s, two 3's,

and four 2's. M'Pberson had the best of the game against M'lntyre, winning by 22 to 18. Smeaton scored at eight beads against D. L. Christie, and Forestej scored at exactly the same number against Qarswell. In the ding-dong game between Davidson and Connell the firet-naxne4 came out best at the final by 24 to Kaituna's 16. St. Kilda Clubj>lay their annual fixture with Palmerston ' on Boxing Day, and on January 1 and 2 play Milton and Laurence respectively. The genial "J. G. R." will manage the southern visiting rinks. On Christmas Day a doubles tournament will be Held on St. "Kilda Green. . Two rinks of Wednesday players from North-East "Valley, after a pleasant game on their own green, defeated two rinks from the Cavershain Club by 8 points. Mr Holman of the Mat&iira Club, who, I should say, is a model secretary, informs me in a chatty note that the match beJbween. Te Rangi Club, Invercargill, and "Mat aura took place on Wednesday last, Mataura sending fire rinks to Invercargill. The weather was net so good as might be desired, but despite this drawback a really good game was enjoyed by aIT. Some excellent individual play was witnessed on both sides, "but in the aggregate victory rested with Te Rangi Irp seven points. As a prominent member admitted, they had to play for the coveted honour. The visitors to a man declared they , could not praise too highly the provision made by Te Rangi Club for their comfort and enjoyment. Brief speeches were made by the presidents of both clubs, in which they, referred to the good feeling displayed by the players. The first pennant match between Balclutha and Clinton was, played on the 11th inst. at Balelutha. Fairly heavy rain fell during the greater part of the game, and the green -was very heavy. The Clinton players won "by 72 to 66, although Clutha was successful in two out of the three rinks. A 'Clinton skip attempted a drive with five shots against him. He cut out the nearest bowl of his own side and increased his opponents' advantage to seven points. The Olutha Free Press reports that strong rinks are being formed for the South Otago Tournament at New Tear. Milton is expected to send three rinks, and Stirling will be strongly represented. It is anticipated that most of the play will be on ' thevKaitangata Green, which is reported to be in first-class order. A Rangiora rink challenged the holders of the inter-club challenge badges. The Canterbury rink (Barnett, Thompson, Greig and Reese, skip) scored 30 points, ana the Rangiora rink (Bridgett, Gulliver, Gibbs-Jordan, and Sansom, skip) 4. A motion to prohibit the bringing of liquor on the green was defeated by the Southland Club by 19 to. 18. The discussion was .somewhat animated. The prohibitionists thoughf it would be a courteous act on the part of the majority to fall in, with the views of the prohibitionists. Another speaker said this argument out in the opposite direction, and thought it would be courteous on the part of the minority to allow tho3e who thought they wanted it to bring liquor oh the green for their own consumption — in other words, to allow an old established custom to continue. So long as £he liquor is not openly- exposed and temptation is not placed in the way of those who are unable to resist it, the prohibiting a member keeping refreshments in his looker or bringing a flask in his pocket for" his own use, seems somewhat arbitrary. There are men playing bowls who have reached the allotted span t>f life, and if they believe that they are benefited by a stimulant it is rather late in life to insist on their mending their ways ,or leaving a club which, they may have been largely instrumental in founding. After all, as one speaker put it, there is a social side as well as a bowling side to every club. Mr Wheeler has handed to me a copy of the programme of the 'Northern Bowling Association's tournament, to be held at, Auckland on January 6 and following days. It is on the usual lines. Competitors belonging to a club affiliated to "an" ■ association are now allowed to compete, but the association's champion banner and shield can only be won by rinks from clubs affiliated to the Northern Bowling AssociaI tion. * j Mataura Club will meet Gore to-day , (Wednesday), in a friendly contest on the j ! Mataura Green, and a keen and enjoyable ! game is anticipated. Mataura players are | making the most of the weather by pushing on club ties. Good progress has been, made with the club champion singles, for the president's bowls, and with a handicap singles match for colts. A start Was to be ' made this week with the doubles. , The secretary of the Temuka Club writes: — "Almost all the bowls^jelonging «to the members of the Temuka Bowling "Club have only the stamp of the Scottish Association, being ' Taylor's ' make. I understand that before taking part in any N.Z.B.A. tournament these must be stamped in New Zealand. Will you be good enough to tell us to whom we shall have to send them, and how long it would take to get them officially stamped." My correspondent see from the report of the first meeting of the council that the members of his club can take part in the tournament with bowls of Taylor's make with perfect confidence. There is at present no official bowl-tester. A match between the Dunedin and Caledonian Clubs was played on the Caledonian green on Wednesday last, three rinks from eaoh taking part. After an enjoyable game the former were victorious by 19 points. The green was in splendid condition, and an enjoyable afternoon was spent. In connection with the Citizens' Match, to be played at the North Island Bowling Association's tournament in Auckland next month, it has been decided that it will be open to members of clubs affiliated to the Northern Association or olnba acknowledged by the North Island Bowling Association. Each rink will require to be composed of members -of one club only. Each ' club can, however, en-ter as many rinks as it chooses. All arrangements for the tournament are now well forward, and a very successful gathering ie anticipated. OUTBAJI V. ROSLYN". The above match was played at Roslyn on Saturday, Roslyn winning by 41 point*. Afternoon tea was dispensed by lady friends. Scores : — O. R J. Wildey, A. Chiahqlm, W. "Watson. * .. W. Scott (b) 17 — W. A. Smith, E. W. Walden, W. Wilson, R. Crawford (s) — 13 G. Morgan, T. Snow, J. M'Bryde, T. Mackie (») 15 — B. Thompson, A. M'Dougall, G. F. Dodds, A. W. Crawford (a) .._ •=» 25

W. Leash, W. Strang, A. Anderson, J. Buchanan (s) „ „ „ „ .. 12 — J. S. Webb, J. Cameron, A. Matheson. W. Weir'(s) — 29 E. ITLeod. C. Mills, F. Hartley, I R. Websier (s) 12 — A. C. Alcock, W. Nicolson, J. Secular, G-. Wedderspoon (s) .. — 30 Totals .» , c .. _/. .. „ 56 97 KAITUNA BOWLING CLUB. A special meeting of members of Kaituna CJub was held in the pavilion on Monday evening to decide the question of when ' the green should be opened for play, and other n-atters.- Mr C. R. Smith (president) occupied the chair, and about tO members were present. The first business was the passing of a resolution regretting the death of air T. Sneddon. and 1 of condolence with the relatives of the deceased gentleman. At a later stage ft was resolved that an enlarged photograph of Mr Sneddon be procured and hung in the club's pavilion. The Chairman then announced that Mr Gordon had been appointed caretaker of the club's green. Mr Gordon had been assistant groundsman at the Cartsbrook Ground for two years, and has had considerable experience. The principal business of the evening was then proceeded with — the question as to when the green should be opened for play. The Chairman said* Mf* Collins (contractor •for the relaying of the green) had recently visited the ground, and was well pleased with the progress it had made. Mr Collins had put in a written report, in which he advised the club to postpone its opening for three weeks from the date of his report (December 13). Mr Smith said his opinion was that members vould be adopt iner a safe course it they decided to follow Mr Collin.o's advice, and open after New Year. Mr J. C. Stephens (vice-president) said an impression had got abroad that the executive of Kaituna Club had called a general meeting of the dub to influence its members to postpone opening' the green till after tihe N.Z.B.A. tournament, and thus avoid the responsibility of handing over the green for tournament purposes. Such an idea was altogether erroneous, and he hoped members would not allow the question of playing the tournament on the green to influence them in -voting on the question- of opening. That question should be settled on its merits. After considerable discussion a resolution was 'carried in favour of opening on January 4. 1908, a« against one in favour of December 21. The Chairman explained the position as to the use of the green for tournament purposes. He said they had obtained a report on the subject from Mr_ Collins, and did np» anticipate sny difficulty, as the executive of the centre was 'composed of reasonable men. Messrs J. Stone and J. Melville were appointed delegates to the centre in place 1 of the late T. Sneddon and "F. Smith (elected treasurer of the council). The defeat sustained by Kaituna on Saturday at the hands of the Taieri Club 1 is believed to be the hsaviest ever inflicted ion the town club. The only reason put forward by the Kaituna men to account for it is tha-t they met better men.