BOWLING

Southland Times, Issue 19395, 8 November 1924, Page 14 (Supplement)

BOWLING

(By

“Measure.”)

The season has now fairly commenced and the first set of both the Inter-Club and Four-Rink fixtures have been played. It is early yet, however, to form any opinion of the respective playing strengths of the various clubs, although it may not be expected that the Waihopai Club which is largely comprised of new players, will be able to hold its own with the older established clubs until its players have gained more experience. Oue great handicap with which this club is faced in its first season is that its members will find it difficult to accustom themselves to the faster playing surfaces of the other greens. It is understood that the Waikiwi Club will be unable to take part in the first round of fixtures, but may join in later on in the season. Waikiwi was set down to play Northend this afternoon, and as the fixture will not be played the latter club has extended a cordial invitation to Waikiwi players- to come along and take part in a friendly game. This is an excellent idea and if followed by the other clubs it will enable the members of the new club to be better equipped for play when their own green is ready for use.

Entries for the Northend Club’s competitions have closed and both beginners and the older members have entered freely. It is intended to commence the handicap games immediately, and the first round of the singles and doubles must be played by November 20. The champion singles (played on the sudden-death principle), and the doubles (played on the sectional system), will be commenced early in December, so that the greater part of the games will be played before Christmas.

It has been arranged that all four-rink matches postponed from the Tuesday evening will be played on the foUowing Thursday.

Apparently some of the players are finding that the restriction of the game to 16 ends is not sufficient to enable them to finish their game before darkness sets in. On the Southland green on Thursday evening two rinks did not complete their games until long after the other players had retired to the pavilion, while one rink especiaUy had to keep playing long after darkness had fallen. Too frequent inquests on the heads, and too much following up the bowls was chiefly responsible for the long drawn-out games. A stricter application of the rules would be beneficial in such circumstances, and it is unreasonable for one or more players in a rink to compel the opposing players to play in the dark.

During the discussion in regard to the admission of ladies to the Southland Bowling Club, a member remarked that he was aware that the proposal had been adversely criticised in the paper, and that he did not like the way it had been put in. He also remarked that he considered that criticism might have been deferred until after the meeting had been held. Under the circumstances it is not difficult to understand that such, a staunch supporter of the proposal as the member referred to, would not like to have it adversely criticised. If, on the other hand, he means to infer by the remark that he did not like the way it was put in, that “Measure’s” criticism was ijispired by any member or members of the club, he may disabuse his mind at once. To have left the criticism over until a decision had been reached would have robbed it of any effect it may have had. Now, that the club has decided to admit the ladies, “Measure” has no desire to offer any criticism, and time alone will tell whether its action has been a wise one or not.

Very satisfactory entries have been received for the Invercargill Club’s Champion Singles and Ch ampion Doubles competitions. For. the singles 24 entries were received and 14 pairs entered for the doubles. The programmes for the annual tourna-

ment are now being prepared and will be issued early in the coming week. In view of the fact that the tournament is this season being conducted on the provincial and city competitions system, it is anticipated that there wll be increased entries.

Some difficulty has been experienced in past seasons in keeping a correct record of the inter-club fixture results and in order th a this may be overcome, club secretaries are requested to forward the results of all matches to the secretary of the Centre. It is evident from the correspondence received from the bowling authorities in the Old Country that the International Board does not intend to base the claims of players for inclusion in the team to visit Australia and New Zealand merely on the ability or otherwise to pay their way. Writing to the President of the Dominion Bowling Council recently, Mr Melbourne Orchard, who has been largely instrumental in bringing about the tour, states that only first-class bowlers will be accepted by the International Board which will not countenance an indifferent team. The policy which is being followed by the English authorities in this respect is a wise one, for after all these tours must be regarded as something more than pleasure trips for those taking part, although this fact does not always appear to have been recognised either in Australia or New Zealand, where very little attention was given to the bowling qualifications of the tourists. The Dominion tournament opens in Wellington on January 12 with the Singles. The pairs commence on Januyy 15 and the Rinks on January 19. Entries close on December 15.

Great preparations are being made in the capital city for this season’s tournament and many improvements have been effected to the Wellington Club’s green, even to the extent of placing pebbles in the ditch in order to keep the bowls clean. This is an innovation which New Zealand has learned from the Old Country.

Members of the Southland Bowling Club who were opposed to the introduction of the fairer sex were placed in a rather awkward position at Monday night’s meeting. Those in favour of the innovation could express their views freely without any fear of giving offence, but not so with the opposition, wac had to be careful lest they offended some of their best friends. In view of the close voting on the* proposal, one is apt to question the advisability of the Club’s decision admit the ladies without first takng a plebiscite of the whole Club. He never proposed to be a member of the bowling club. He had his little car, and each week-end was filled in cleaning and polishing it, varied occasionally with a little run out into the country. Still he lived fairly near the green, and there were those who thought that the practice of the game might be of benefit to bis health. His name was mentioned in the club, as one of the “ought-to-joins,” and plans were carefuUy laid for his entrapment. The basis of the scheme was autosuggestion. He was invited to attend on the opening day, and once there, different members of the club were to approach him (and membership) from different angles. He came. No sooner had he entered the premises than an old friend greeted him effusively—“So glad you’ve come, and that you’ve joined up. You’re the class of man we want in this club.” This was flattering, if in-correct. The effusive one was told that so far there was no intention of his becoming a member. Then another approached. “HuUo, old chap! Glad to see you—hear you’ve joined the club. Now, take my advice and don’t buy any bowls until you can find out exactly the ones that fit ycur hand. You can’t be too particular in that. Comeanavaspot!” After the spotting process was over, another, the secretary of the club rushed him with—“Do you know the number of your locker?” “Locker, what locker?” “Your lecker for your bowls and shoes —it’s 43!” The official hurried away, just as another member bowled up with the suggestion that it was a long time between wets, and so made for another retirement. Out again in the light of day an old schoolfellow-member bowled up. “So glad you be in with me.” “What do you mean?” “WeD, there’s not enough lockers to go round, so they’ve partnered you with me. Glad, too; much i better to have a fellow I know so weU than a perfect stranger.” By this time a fine spirit of comradeship had been established, and he felt he reaUy ought to join, and so when the nomination paper was brought under his nose, he smiled weakly and signed it like a lamb. The ruse had worked —a good fellow', who really ought to have been a bowler years ago, was secured for the season. And once a bowler always a bowler.