BOWLING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143451, 11 March 1911, Page 8

BOWLING.

(By “Kitty.”)

Mention was made in this column a fortnight ago ot a complaint mad© by a “dour grim Southlander” of tho name of Martin regarding his treatment by the New Plymouth bowlers, when he recently visited tho green. The secretary ol the Now Plymouth Club wrote to the Southland Times, in which the complaint appeared, giving another version ol the story, quoting chapter and verse, so to speak; that is to say, describing how individual members, whom ho named, approached the stranger and asked him booh to play and to have tea. Mr. Martin was shown Mr. Ewing’s letter before it was published, and was given the opportunity to reply in the same issue ot tho paper. Tho reply is a bhyik denial ot most of Mr. Ewfng’a evidence, so that as tji© matter stands now wo have a stranger charging members with a lack of hospitality, which the members deny. Either it is a case of mistaken identity or one side is making statements which—well, which are not correct. Apparently it is not a case of mistaken identity, and I am quite certafn that oven if, after a considerable lapse of time, one or two of our members had forgotten exactly what occurred, tho visitor was actually invited to play and to have a cup of tea by three or four members, and that without having to wait a Jong time before ho was approached. It lias been suggested more than onco that a party of Taranaki bowlers should bo got together to pay • a visit to Sydney, but fto far the matter has never passed tho suggestion stage. Now, however, Mr. Stephen Hooper, of tho New’ Plymouth Club, has interested himself and has tho names of several who would like to make tlio trip if it can bo arranged, The idea is that tho party should consist of members of Taranaki clubs, and that arrangements should bo made in advance to play a series of matches in and around Sydney. At Waverley on Thursday Air. Hooper approached some of the local bowlers, two or three of whom will probably bo found ready to make tho trip, and several others from other clubs are eager to join tho party. A good many years ago Air. James Paul organised a small party, who had a royal time “on the other side,” and there is no reason to doubt that another party would bo well received and have a very enjoyable experience, Mr. Hooper will be pleased to receive the names of howlers in town or country who would like to join a party to leave just before Easter. It might be passible to induce the Union Steam Ship Company to allow tho AVel-lington-Sydnoy steamer to call specially at ibe breakwater to pick up the party, ii it is sufficiently large, and to drop them here again on their return, thus saving time ns well as expense. At any rate, Mr. Hooper will bo glad to hear at once from any who would like to join, and “if sufficient inducement offers” ho will proceed with the project. -A good idea has bbceu put forward by Mr. A. K. Smart, it is that a challenge cup should bo provided for competition among tho clubs in the Taranaki Howling Association. Details would have to be arranged, but I should think that the best plan would bo to have two-rink competitions. It would he n very graceful act on the part of the New Plymouth Club to subscribe, among ith members, tho cost of a good cup, and to invito any club which cTiose to come to New Plymouth with two rinks 1o play two Now Plymouth rinks for its possession, the winners to retain it as long ns they could against- all comers wfio chose to challenge them on the holders s green. No doubt if. Mr. Smart were to canvas® some of fho members he would soon raise the price of n hemloome cup. and I am sure the rompeiitions would conduce to the good of the game.