SELECTING A BOWL

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12314, 6 April 1933, Page 2

SELECTING A BOWL

SOUTHERN WRITER’S VIEWS. A rule (19) of the New Zealand Association states that bowls shall not exceed 3lb Boz in weight and shall not measure more than five and three-sixteenths inches in its major diameter. This is a good rule, but I am certain that at least a few bowls of larger diameter are in use in the Dunedin Centre, and it is up to the officials of the centres and clubs to enforce the New Zealand rules in their entirety, not only in regard to the size of the bowls but on many other points which some players totally disregard (says ‘Jack’ in the Otago Daily Times). In connection with the size of bowls the writer knows of one set which were stamped and passed during the last three months, and they had a larger diameter than that allowed for under the rules. I think that the time has come for more attention to be given to the width as well as the diameter. Some makes of bowls are coming on the market that resemble an “eye drop glassie” marble such as we used in our school days. A minimum standard in width is necessary, and if 4f inches was constituted the limit of narrowness it would, in conjunction with a minimum of 5-inch diameter, stoyi xhe tendency for too small a bowl to enter into our game. Rule 18 reads: “Bowls must be made of Lignum vitae (wood) or any approved material.” Is it not just about time that the latter part of the rule was tightened up a bit ? Personally I * think there is already too great a number of what we will class “campo” coming in to the New Zealand market. T have often stated land market. I have often stated that a good Lignum bowl and weight 3lb or 5 l-16*n, 31 b 3cz., is an idea] bowl in so far as play in New Zealand is concerned and T c*an see no reason to change my opinion. The best bowl, if it can be handled safely and surely, is s&ixi, 3lb 4£oz to 31b 50z., and I always consider a man fortunate who can handle this bowl, but don’t forget 5 1-I6in in 3lb 3oz to 3lb 3£oz also constitutes a good bowl. Overweighting in small bowls may be useful on special days, but week" in and week out give me bowls as above specified; and, further, when a player gets bowls that suit him he should look after them with all possible care. A good bowl deserves the best of attention

Many players advise different mixtures to apply to bowls. One says vaseline, another raw linseed oil, and others advocate floor 7>olish or some of the different, howl ]?o]ishes that are on the market, but if a plaver is careful and oils bis bowls when putting them away (oil lightly). all that is necessary to do is to give the bowls a good bard rub with a clean, dry rag, and the owner will. I am sure,, be more than pleased with the result.