BOWLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3662, 20 May 1924, Page 49

BOWLING.

By

Jack.

The Leith Bowling and Croquet Club, which has now been launched, should have a successful and pleasant voyage. Judging by the enthusiasm that was displayed by those present the baby club should not lack for membership. Not many clubs start under such fine auspices as the newly-formed club. it has over £l6O of capital, and will have a green at a nominal rent. What is more the green is in a fine sheltered position, and as for beautiful surroundings will be second to none in the dominion. Mr Tannoc-k stated that the green, when it was finished, would be one of the best, in the dominion. They had removed a very large amount of soil in order to get, a good clay foundation. There was plenty of water available, and when the lawn was finished there was no reason why it should not last for ICO years. tie thanked the members for asking him to act as vicepresident, but considered he could do tetter work as a committeeman. lie would like to see the new club and every sports body support “daylight saving. ’ Just fancy finishing work at 4 o’clock instead of 5 p.m. That would mean an extra hour on the playing fields and out in the. open, which, as all knew, was the way to be healthy. Referring to the croquet lawns that were being laid down at Woodhaugb, he said they would be full match size—the only ones in Dunedin. That would mean that championship tournaments would in future be held in Dunedin. At one, time the council considered the advisability of laying down bowling greens and charging so much a game. Fie, however, thought the forming of clubs was much better —as in this way tournament play could be indulged in, and this tended to make friendships. At Wood!) a ugh they would have father playing bowls, mother indulging in croquet, and the young people trying their skill at lawn tennis. That was as it should be. He wished! the club every success, and said he would be pleased to do anything in his power to help it, A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Tunnock for the valuable assistance he. had already rendered. Mr W. Applegarth, who is in charge of the art union promoted to raise funds for the. new club, speaking at the inception of the club, deplored the apathy of some of the members in disposing of tickets. He said if the bookholders themselves were not able to soli them, surely they had daughters or friends who could dispose of them. He. stated that lie had sent four books to the secretary of every club in New Zealand, requesting that the respective clubs should help the latest arrival by disposing of the tickets. The, response had been very disappointing. In many cases the books were simply returned without any covering letter. One club was a glorious exception, it having forwarded a cheque for tho amount of the tickets (£2), and wishing the Leith Cluh every success. The committee of the Kaituna BowlingClub reports that the green is rapidly recovering, and tlie early closing, together with the care taken in top-dressing, has evidently had the desired effect. The club is without a greenkeeper and is now on (be look-out for one, but will not require his services before the beginning of September. When the christening ceremony of the Leith Bowling and Croquet Club was performed there was a great deal of discussion regarding the most appropriate name. Amongst the titles suggested were “North End,” but it was pointed out that there were already four North End Bowling Clubs in New Zealand; the “North Dunedin” and ‘Dunedin North” suggestions were both vetoed because it was considered that correspondence would be mixed up with that of the Dunedin Cluh. “Woodhaugh” and “Gardens” were also suggested, but were scrapped. UPKEEP OF GREENS. A largely-attended meeting of executives of clubs affiliated to the Dunedin Bowling Centre was held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms on Saturday evening to discuss the question of the upkeep of bonding greens. Mr W. Connor (president of the centre) occupied the chair. In introducing Mr C. R. Smith, the Chairman said the meeting had ben called at the instigation of that gentleman, but that if no agreement was reached it was to be hoped that the hints

thrown out by him would be useful in the future. Mr Smith (Otago Cluh) said he did not think he need apologise for introducing the subject of the upkeep of the green-’ as that- was the most important thing in connection with bowls. He had been actuated to speak on the subject solely with the idea of doing something to improve the game of bowls. It was nearly 20 years since the present system of tlie control of the greens had been organised, and it was (line something different was suggested, the question of tho upkeep of the greens had been left entirely with the clubs, and 'hoy had followed on the old system of employing a caretaker and a greenkeeper. It was quite safe to say that the greens m and around Dunedin had not shown anv signs of improvement for many years, and some of them could not be in a worse condition. There was something wrong, and some of the greens should not be i° n - for championship honours. The difficulty in connection with the greens was that they were more or les s untrue on toe surface. The speaker dealt at. length with the many faults obtaining tlirough such a state of a green, and said they put a handicap on the man who was trying to play good bowls. The whole trouble, continued me speaker, seemed to be the fact that the greens were r.ot properly levelled. Every green was subject to variations, but they should be watched and cared for. The next point was tha top-dressing, and that rione on the greens at tne present time was anything but satisfactory. Ibis raised the question whether the gleei:keepers had sufficient knowledge of greenkeeping, and, if so. did they apply that knowledge correctly? The question of green supervision now came up, and he considered that this was a farce. In conclusion, the speaker suggested that the matter be discussed, and if considered important it should be gone Into further. There was no doubt tlie greens were not what they should be. Mr YY. Jacobsen said he agreed that tha top-dressing as done at present was inadequate, and all greens should be top-dressed and levelled at regular intervals. Mr J. Allan stated that in connection with bowling green- they wanted intelligent labour and skill. They wanted a man with a knowledge of grass seed, soil, manure, and top-dressing, and only a scientific man had these qualifications. Something should be done to make such knowledge available to the clubs and lie suggested the appointment of an expert who would be provided with a retaining fee and who would be available ro each club. He would make a study of soils and manures, advi-e as to top-dressing, where it would be procured, and everything else which might be required. He therefore moved—“ That this meeting heartily thank Mr Smith for his suggestions, and that the centre be asked to appoint a sub-committee to go into tha whole question.” Mr I’. Mirams seconded the motion. Several speakers spoke in support of the motion, which, upon being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously. In conclusion the Chairman thanked Mr Smith, and said that if nothing came of it at present he hoped the future prospects would be brighter.