BOWLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2955, 2 November 1910, Page 64

BOWLING.

Secretarial are r-equeeted to forward parlioular« •( games played and of forthcoming matches.

NOTES BY JACK. Saturday last was quite a field day as regards opening ceremonies, no less than four clubs celebrating the occasion in that respect—Dunedin, Roslyn, North-East Valley, and Wakari. The attendances at both the Dunedin and Wakari greens were exceptionally large; indeed, it is estimated that the number at the last-named reached 500.In opening the Dunedin Green Mr J. White, the president, made feeling reference to the loss the club had sustained through the death of Mr A. Fraser, and Mr J. Coventry, the former of whom was a very old member, who had participated in numerous battles on behalf of the parent club, while Mr Coventry was a player much esteemed by all his clubmates. The whole ten rinks comprising the two gieens were utilised, and each played well. There is little doubt that the greens_ will {.till further improve, and thus maintain the position it has so long held of being one of the best, if not the best, green in or around Dunedin. To Mr J. Taylor, the caretaker, much credit is due, for ho has been unremitting in his attention to his work, sparing neither pains nor time in preparing the sward after the very heavy ordeal it underwent last year. At Wakari the eight rinks were insufficient to accommodate, at one.time, all those who were desirous of a game, so that after eleven heads had been played those engaged retired in favour of the remainder of the bowlers, and the green was again almost filled. There was a decided, improvement in the condition of the green as compared with last season, and with good weather it will -soon bo in tip-top order. The membership of the club has largely increased, and now totals about 80. With a generous patron in Mr Groenslacle, an enthusiastic president in Mr Fea, and an energetic committee to support his efforts to provide real enjoyment for members, the Wakari Club has a bright future before it. The Roslyn Green is not in a too satisfactory state, the grass being patchy and tufty, causing the bowls to bump very much. Some members of the club assert their conviction that with ..the advent of good growing weather they will, in the course of a few weeks, have a much improved surface to play upon. That, of course, remains to bo seen. The Valley Green is not uniformly good. Some of the rinks played well enough, but others were the reverse. There is •omo very coarso grass in at least one of the rinks, and unless that is eradicated it is very doubtful whether it will ever run truly. '

At a general meeting of the Wyndham Club last week (ho secretary submitted an approximate statement showing the financial position of the club. The total estimated expenditure for the season, includTbo estimated receipts were £B7 7s 3d—pavilion, and caretaker's salary, was £225. The estimated reecipts were £B7 7s 3d> viz., £54 14s in subscriptions .already paid, £ll subscriptions payable. £ll 13s 3d from Recreation Reserve Trust towards improving the ground, and £.lO from the same source towards a pavilion. This left a debit balance of £l3B. Aftor some discussion as to a means of reducing the indebtedness below the bank guarantor of £l2O, it was decided to ask the local Dramatic Club to stage a play in aid of this fund, or in lieu thereof, a concert be organised; further, that th-e ladies he requested to arrange a carnival in aid of the club's funds, samo to bo held next year. The secretary was instructed to apply to the Recreation Reserve Trust, reouesting that some seats be placed around the green. The official oneninp: of tho green takes place to-day (Wednesday). In communication?; in this issue from our Lake County and Outram correspondents, particulars are ;dven of the opening of the greens in those centres. Under the most favourable auspices tho Tiokonui' Club (Gore) opened the season last Wednesday. Th" members of the club and the visitors were th** cuests of the oresident of the club QL- W. Robson). . There were many visitors from th-e Gore Club pre'•ent and =ides were chosen, President v. Vice-nresident. Tho green was in excellent condition with the excention of one of the side rinks, where the play was across ''old heids" of the Drevious year, and the caretaker (Mr Perks) deserved tho many commendatory .remarks passed ut>on his work. A feature of tho afternoon's oroceedincrs was the large number of ladies present. Refreshments were provided in a large marquee, and were dispensed by the Ladies. The sides were captained respectively by Messrs W. Robson (president) and A. Mar-. tin (vice-president). Considering that it was really the first game of the season the play on the whole was very creditable. The came resulted in a win for the President

The Mataura Club experienced ideal weather last Wednesday on the occasion of the opening of its green, and theT© was a large gathering of ladies and gentlemen. A match New Zealand v. The World was played, resulting in a victory flft the Maorilanders by 10 points. THE TOURNAMENT QUESTION. At a meeting of the directors of the Danedin Bowling Club held on October 23 the following resolutions were carried unanimously: —• " That the directors of the Dunediu Bowling Club approve of the action of the council of the NZ.B.A. in. refusing to pass the programme of the Christmas tournament presented by the Dunedin Centre. "That in their opinion the multiplying of tournaments and champion matches is not in the best interests of bowling. " That close on 75 per cent, of bowlers join the ranks of bowling for the purpose of taking part an the social and friendly; games, and anything that interferes with or unduly deprives these bowlers of the use of the greens would injuriously affeot the finances of all clubs. " That olubs would not be able to finance and maintain their greens were their membership to depend upon tournament players. " The council being elected by the general body of bowlers, this club strongly objects to any one centre trying to force its own opinions against the wishes of tho governing body." NORTHERN ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, October 24. The council of tho Northern Bowling Association met to-night and passed the programme for the Auckland tournament next January. It was decided to limit the number of rinks in each section to eight. In the Pairs" Match all games will be 16 heads except the final, which will be 21 heads. It was resolved that the champion banner and shield (for record purposes) shall be hold by the club whose rink wins the rink championship at the an-nual tournament, if that rink be affiliated to the Northern Bowling Association; but if it be not affiliated, then the shield will be neld by the club affiliated winning a final between the olub rinks so affiliated. The banner is to be used by the winning club on special occasions only, and returned, together with the shield, to the secretary of the association 14 days prior to the following tournament.

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, October 27. At a meeting of delegates of club* affiliated with the Auckland Provincial Bowling Association held this evening to consider the effect the new constitution of the Northern Bowling Association will have on the Auckland Association, a resolution was passed affirming the principle that a Dominion Bowling Association was desirable. The association decided not to open negotiations until after the Northern Bowling Association Conference, which will be held in Auckland in January. The trend of the discussion, which was patriotic to the local association, was conciliatory to the Northern Bowling Association.