BOWLS

Southland Times, Issue 22728, 2 November 1935, Page 14

BOWLS

“Kitty.")

(By

Two fine performances were registered last Tuesday night when the season was opened with the four-rink championship and the newly-instituted city rinks competition. Northend had a bad fright from Georgetown, who were only two down at the final tally. Snow, Shand, Reid and Smith (skip) gave Northend a good lift up by a 2a—--7 win over Swanson, Mehairey, Credginton and Jones (s). It was wellneeded, however, to set against a debit balance of 8—22, for Mullen, Daubney, Keast and Swift (s), a Northend rime, were defeated by that score by Barlow, Johnston, McLean an,d Marshall. R.S.A. also ran Bluff very close and on the first green, too. Coughlan, McKenzie, Donaldson and Blomlield (c) had a 20 —8 win over the Bluff rink of Peterson, McCormick, Nixey and Plank (s), but Butler, Cameron, Murphy and Parry (s) helped to pull the match out of the fire for Bluff by defeating Fox, Hattrill, Jones and Millar (s) by 19 to

5. Southland Club. Fairly good entries are to hand for the club’s competitions and play commences immediately. In the shield rink, there are eight entries; in the champion pairs 14 and in the singles 24. The draw in the rinks is as follows: Campbell v. Reed; Thomson v. Israel; Strang V. Lumsden; Torrance v. Gardiner. A newcomer to the club is Mr Morrison, from Christchurch, who has been transferred to the local Stamp Department. He is a player of some ability, for it is understood that two years ago he won both the champion singles and skipped the champion pair in his club. A. Peterson, one of the stalwarts of Waikiwi, has also donned a Southland blazer, for he has removed from Bainfield Road to Kelvin street. He, too, should strengthen the club from both the playing and social viewpoints. The green is in tip-top order and playing well. Its recovery after the salt-water of last January has surprised everyone. On the R.S.A. Green. Despite threatening weather in the morning, the skies cleared towards mid-day, affording ideal conditions for the opening of the R.S.A. green last Saturday. A fair number of members of the various clubs were present. After the customary speeches were made by the various representatives, Mrs W. R. Mabson, the wife of the president, rolled the first bowl of the season, which was a “toucher.” Play was then proceeded with, and afternoon tea was provided during a suitable interval.

Indications are for an increased membership for 1935-36, and, if the present enthusiasm of members does not lapse, the R.S.A. should make a name for itself in bowling circles this season. BOWLERS FOR OLYMPIC IS N.Z. TO BE REPRESENTED? Is New Zealand to be represented by a recognized team of bowlers at the next Olympic and Empire Games? asks “Short Head” in N.Z. Sporting Life. By this, “Short Head” does not mean merely that a motley collection of players gathered together haphazardly from centres all over the Dominion, and who are in such a financial position that they are well able to afford the time and expense incurred in travelling from New Zealand should be officially tagged “All Blacks,” and allowed to represent New Zealand in the very highest competitive play. It is high time that the Dominion Council gave much more serious consideration to this question than it has done in the past! If, and it should be so, New Zealand is to be represented by a bowling team, then let it be composed of the very best talent available. Otherwise it would be infinitely better ■ not to give official recognition to any collection of players, imbued with the idea that they are Dominion champions, and who are aspiring to world honours. Troper Selection Desirable. Should the council decide to give the question consideration and grant leave for a team to travel let that team be selected along the right lines, by officials appointed for the purpose, and by a series of trials if necessary. How is such a proposal to be financed you ask? There are several ways of getting out of the difficulty, and the one which most appeals to the writer by which funds are acquired for the purpose of assisting champion players, who would be only too glad of the opportunity of representing their country overseas, but who are unable to bear the expense, is by means of a levy made against every affiliated club in proportion to that particular club’s membership. I feel sure that little or no opposition would be encountered by those in authority from either the centres or clubs. Most of the bowlers in New Zealand would be only too glad to contribute to such a fund, secure in the thought that the grand old game in New Zealand was going to be represented by a team of players well worthy of the honour conferred on them, and who would uphold the highest standard of play in this country. I am reliably informed that a levy of 1/- per player throughout New Zealand would establish a fund ample to assist those players selected which would guarantee a first-class team. What has the Dominion Council to say in regard to this matter? Southland Support. If the above suggestion were considered there would be plenty of support forthcoming from Southland bowlers. Many approached on the matter are wholeheartedly in accord with the ideas sponsored by the Wellington writer, and contend that any New Zealand team should be selected, not left to a few fortunately situated persons to make their own arrangements. It is a matter the Southland Centre might well take up. A levy of so much per player would not be a hardship to any centre. If memory serves me right, the Dunedin Centre, through one of its offiers (Mr G. A. Nelson), suggested some time ago that a touring fund should be built up by making a levy of 6d per player.—“ Jack High.”