BOWLING. NOTES BY JACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 64

BOWLING.

NOTES BY JACK.

Secretari«s are rsqueeted to forward particulars of games p'.ayed and of- forthcoming matches.

Opening Fixtuees. Temuki — Thursday, October 22. Roslyn. — Saturday, October 24. Fairfield. — Saturday, October 24. Otago.— Saturday. October 24. Bluff.— Wednesday, Octobei 28. Clinton. — Wednesday. October 28. Kaituna. — Saturday, October 31. Port Chalmers. — Saiuiday. October 31. Balnjacewen. — Saturday. Octcbav 31. Kia Toa (Timaru). — Thursday, November 5,

It would appear that, after all, there is a prospect of a representative Commonwealth team touring Now Zealand in January ne\t and taking part in the tournament at Christchurch. The secretary of the N.Z.B.A. (Mr Alloo) writos that he is in leceipt of cable advice from Mr T. P. Hannah, secretary of the Victorian Bowling Association, to the effect that Commonwealth secretaries are conferring with the object of promoting the Commonwealth team. The intimation conveys the information that nominations fo* inclusion in the team clos-3 on November 16. Mr Alloo adds that it may now be considered certain that not only will a team come across, but that it will be a thoroughly representative one. ThU is good news, and I trust that tho optimism of the secretary will be justified by events. Those who have attended the Australian tournaments arc convinced that if the visitors lake part in the Christchurch gathering, they will open their eyos at its magnitude, and they will go back determined to promote similar gatherings in Australia. There was a splendid muster on the Caledonian Club's Grounds on Saturday for tho opening day, many putting in an appearance to have a roll up on the beautiful sward prepared by Mr Hocking, while many more attended for the purpose of paying their respects Io the worthy president, Mr C F. Gi-eenslade. A punctual start was made \vith the first batch of players, Mr M. Coughlan (vice-president) welcoming visitors in a few appropriate words, and to the poinl, and then declaring the green open. The ladies turned out j in fair numbers, and were reqalerl with afternoon iea. The green appeard vo be in splendid order, but, as might be exp:cted. was on the heavy side. Saturday will see four greens in and about the city formally opened for the season— namoly, Roslyn, Otago, Taieri. and Fairfield. I have be^en favoured with invitations, bul I cannot see how I can put in an appearance on the four greens. Roalvn and 0-iago greens should be in capital order. I hear good accounts of that at Fairfield. Of the Taieri green an obliging i inomber reports: — The green i-> looking parrirulaWv well, and it has not been in anything like its present condition for years. A number of flower-beds have be-?n

laid out on the approach to the green, and will catch the eye as soon as the visitor enters the gate. The Green Committee intend to plant a number of annuals in the plots. Messrs A. M'Leod (acting for the Green Committee) and F. Seaton (local nurseryman) have put in a large amount ot work, and devoted much time to bringing the property to its present stage, and ■ they are to be congratulated on the 6ucj cc« which has attended their efforts. fowling is making rapid strides in limaru, and it is not surprising to learn that there was a large turn out on the occasion of the opening the Timaru Club's green, about 50 players taking part in the game, while many were content to remain on the bank and watch the play. Mrs M. White, wife of the president, dispensed afternoon tea. The new club Kia Toa i* attracting new members, while those who have joined have caught tho fever badly, and put in every spare moment practising! Although not "officially" opened, play- goes on daily on the Kia Toa's two greens. ' My friend, Mr James Taylor, of Invercargill, is inclined to think I threw, cold" 'water on the proposal to hold the association tournament in Invercargill in .the near future, and he writes- somewhat indignantly about the question. My comment was on the report of the Invereargill " Centre meeting, in which it> was statedthat as there were three greens in the town, no objection could now be raisd about the question of playing aceommoda--t-ion. Mr Taylor points out -tha-fe in addition there are greens at. Bluff, Mataura. and Gore within easy reach* whioh makes six lull-size greens available. Mr Taylor brings out the very point which the report failed to do. I quite agree with 'my correspondent that the Invereargill Centre, -in asking that the association tournament . should be played on its greens, aske no more than what is its just due. The idea of doing so was very prominent in tha minds of the frame rs of the new constitution, and they eliminated the clause in tho old constitution which provided that the tournament should be held alternately in Christohurch and Dunedin. I believe ve?y few of the bowling fraternity, at least in* Dunedin, will rako any objection to tho Invereargill Centre being called . tipon to control and manage the tournament. Tha journey from Christchurch be accomplished by train in one day, so that except for the few hours additional that will har« to be spent in the train, Invereargill ie practically^as easy to reach by bowlers' from Oamaru northwards as is- Dunedin. Wo all know they are true sports at InvorcargilC and that if they are given the management next year, nothing will be left undone on^ the^y part to make the meeting a succ&s3. ~" In conclusion, I hope Mr Taylor and his friends will be satisfied that no cold water will be thrown on their enterprise from this quarter. The fallowing items are from an esteemed Invereargill correspondent:— - Last Wednesday the Invercaa-gill bowlers once again got oui their sljppars and bowls and ' made their way, some to Te Rangi, others to- Northend, The weather was unpropitious, but, nevertheless, a jolly afternoon was spent, for everyone was ia ths mood to* make the best of things, ahA the committees of both greens had made complete arrangements for the comfort of all players. Northend' was the scene of a special function, as it was the first timo the green had been us-ad. The decision of the committee to keep it closed all last season was proved to\be most judicious, as • now there is a fine sward, and the careful top-dressing it received last autumn, followed by another very light one in August, rendered the surface smooth and perfectly even. "The be3t new green I have yet played on," was the rerdict of one of our oldest bowlers, Mr P. L. Gilkison, and the remarks were backrd up by such seasoned 'players as J. Ronnie, Wesney Taylor, and others. In addition to the accommodation in the pavilion, a marquee had been erected on the reserve, and here the Mayor and councillors of Invereargill foregathered with the committee. His Worship recounted how the town had become possessed of the fine park, and come of the councillors spoke in hearty congratulation to the Northend Club on the splendid success that had crowned their work. This was pleasant hearing to tho president, Mr T. A. Wallace. He has b^en indefatigable in attending to the multitudinous details always oropDinsc un in the making of a newgreen. It h«us not been smooth sea and plain sailing all the tine since Mr Collins began excavating, but the management of The president has ever been excellent, and now it looks as if trouble lies behind. I hear f»-om various players who attended Te Rangi that the gpacri played well: therefore, if Northend is equal to present promise, Invereargill will bo well served in the matter of good bowling jrreens this season. Mataura and Gore have eacn started operations, and Bluff is to follow 6uit on tho 28th inst. I was on the Riverton preenlast week, and I was much disappointed in its attp?arance. From its situation I tljink it will always ha out of the question to row seed thero in the spring. With the hills lyirwr as they do, there is far too little punshine. The seed-sowing and principal ton-drcesins must take rlac* not k<er than the firrffc week in April. IF our Rivprlon friends can make up their minds? to be content with a bare five months of bowling— November to the end of March,— there is eomo hop* for their arcon ; but unless they close for play in the last week of March, and proceed immediately to the work of attending to the eresn for the next season, there will always b trouble. A little self-denial in this niatle.l- will, I am sure, secure an ample reward. PROPOSED AUSTRALIAN TEAM. Mr W. Alloo. fcci-efary of the New Zealard Bowling Af^cciation. i« in receipt oE rab)c advice from Mr T. P. Hannah, secretary cf the "Victorian Bowline: Association, to tho offeet that Commonwealth secretaries are conferring with the object of promoting a Commonwealth team to tour New Zealand in January next. The intimation conveys the information it.ha* nomina.fcione for inclusion in the team close on November 16. It may now be considered certain

that not only will a team come aoro6s, hut tJiat it will be a thoroughly representative one. NORTHERN ASSOCIATION. WEMiINGTON, October 13. The annual meeting of the 'Northern Bowling Association of New Zealand was held to-night. The report showed that the number of affiliated clubs is 44. The Champion TTburs tournament would be held in Napier next January. A return visit from Australian. Clubs was expected early next fear. The receipts for the rear totalled £263, and the expenditure £242. The following officers were elected: — President, Mr J. C. i^V^j (Napier); ■•iee-presidemy "Colonel Colliira (Wellington}; secretary and treasurer. ZVIr J. H3£entip£av iWeHington); auditor, Mr H. F, Alien" (Wellington). At a meeting^ o£ the- council a lettsa^from the Gisborne I'lob •was considered asking if a regulation could nW made allowing members to play with both feet on the mat. this being opposed to- association rules. It was decided that i such, et rule could "be made for members, \bvtt cotdd not be enforced en visitors. It , was decided that the Napfer tournament , open on Monday; January 11- Twenty -one j rinks will be "available. Representative*! of all clubs in the. district are to be asked j to join, a deputation to the Prime Minjsten | asking, for .relief from payment of munici- i pal rates. A committee- was appointed to go- into the*- question of the cost oL tournament, owing to an Auckland communication which suggested the possibility of a number of northern clubs seceding from the aesociatiqn. TAIEJTELD v. KAITANGATA. The match, Fairfiald v. Kaitangata, was played at Green. Inland on ihe morning i>r Labour Day. 4Tiuj r-catfeer wsa very unpropitious for bowling, but-.th* players being Jpeesi at the first of tlra Beasor, - play wens on merrily from beginning to end. despite the squalls of rain -and hail which occasionally crept up from the £outh-west. The green, although a trifle heavy, played very true, resulting in some very close beads being played. Scores : — F K. H. Mann, J. B. Kirkwood, J M*Lachlan, T. Anderson (b) ... 26 — J. Midland, A. Middleman A. Ripp, W. Brown (s) — 15 Gca. Miller, H. S. Christie, H. .SfGrath, A. Cook (s) 20 — A. Middleman. E. M'Fadycn, H. Carson, D. Clements (s) -• — 18 J. M. Moor. Jj. KiKson, J. Anderson, J. M*Ororie;- Ben. (s) ... 14 — B. Caraon, A. K&no, T. Middlemas, Captain Rutherford (5) ... — 20 ;W. Allan, R. Christie. J. M'Crotie, Jack M'Crorie (s) ... 7 — J. Rutberford, I* Magee, H. Brown, 6. Midttleroaa (s) ._ — - 34r 67 87 Majority for Kaitangata, 20. GREEN ISLAND v. KAITANGATA. This -match was played in the afternoon. Afternoon tea was provided for the visitor?, and snared very acceptable in such cold wea.ti.tr. These were also a number oi visitors from other clubs, and there being two or thro* spare riots, nearly every bowler had a game. Appended are the scores: — G.I. K. J. Hair. W. Evans* T. Campbell. J. SraiuUan (») „ 16 — Rutherford,. Ma^, Brown, Middlemas <s) — 25 W. SireJlie, A. Harrawar. W. McDonald, J. Aitr-hs-son (s) ... 13 — E. Middleman, E. M'F.ad'ren, S. Careen, D. Olemanta $s) ... — 23 A-. Buchanan, J. Dempster, A. Yonny. A. SroeLLie fe) 21 .—. — J. M'lellaxid, A. MiddteitMia, A Tripu, W. Brown (s) — \\ W. Johnston. H. Stott. D. Buch- ***•»! «T. Lindsay (g) . . ..20 — J. Carson. J. Hollows, T. Middk*mas, Captain Rutherford (s) •• — 17 70 76 Majority for Katina-iAta. 6.