BOWLING SPASMS

Observer, Volume XXXI, Issue 8, 5 November 1910, Page 22

BOWLING SPASMS

{By " Thb Ditches."]

OCTOBER has been a gala month, the principal clubs having chosen No. 10 on the calendar as the time for opening biz on their lawns — the last Saturday m _the month. Carlton, Remuera, .Mt. Eden and Auckland commenced operations in real earnest, a. good number turning up in each case. . ■■ * Mt. Eden was indeed a picture. The taste displayed, by the committee was quite artistic. Ihe club chose one of the best days, the weather being typical of Spring. The greens were heavy, but played well, the ends being protected by green hessian. The club are jealous to give the Association a good set of rinks for the big tournaments. President Rankin gave the visitors a splendid welcome, especially mentioning Wellington, Chnstchurch and Dunedin. Then Mrs Rankin cleverly oast the first jaok (absolutely straight), thus-opening the first chapter in bowling for the new season. A bevy of handsomely-costumed ladies attended to the refreshments, and it goes without saying that they were more than busy. The Newton concert band enlivened the proceedings with some very choice selections. An innovation that was greatly appreciated was a choral portion of some of the music the perfect harmony of voice and instrument sounding lovely. 14 rinks tried conclusions, the President bemg top dog Mt. Eden with its increased membership bids well to run both Ponsonby and Auckland close as tne largest club in the province.

Auckland had an informal opening of the green for play. Mr J. Thornes in a brief word declared tne club's lawns open for play. Everything looked spick and span, reflecting great credit on Mr Smart, the caretaker. A jolly afternoon was spent at the time-honoured game. The rinks played well. On December 3 the club intend to have an At Home," when a real old-time day will happen. The Auckland club has an enviable name m the matter of hospitality, and the hand of good fellowship is always extended to a bowler.

Remuera club started bowl-rolling on Saturday last. The President, Mr W. D. McLean, in a tew wellchosen words, welcomed visitors from sister clubs to partake -of his cluhs hopitality, and ureed on his clubmates to make them feel at home. The pretty grounds never looked better. Without question it was a scene of beauty, and all. concerned m the arrangements deserve a pat on the back. Mrs J. Wooller again gave visitors and members a pleasing sight of her dainty and skilful handiwork in floral designs, the colours showing up. -splendidly against the green backgrounds The entrancing strains of music discoursed by Ted Burkes, orchestra was one of the features of the afternoon's entertainment. A splendid roll up of members showed the live interest they have in their fine -club. m Some grand games were played during the day. All and sundry voted Saturday a red letter day in the club s history. The President had, the pleasure of securing a win, his side giving the Vice a hard time.

Mr Wheeler,"of Grey Lynn,' mufet ;feel gratified at the result of his Well-thought-out plan of ' arranging the inter-club draw for the whole , season for every club. The secretaries met, and the business was completed in. about, two .hours. The fix- . tures will be posted jn pavilions ior the season next Saturday, so that members may *iiotify secretaries as 'to which they:can and cannot play. Thus a lot of annoyance ( and heartburning will be saved. :

GriSy Lynn have fixed Saturday, sth of November, when the season will be inaugurated in an informal . manner.*v;; On,Diecehiber 3 Preisddent Thomson inUtake'pleasure. in sharing ;with."'.■■■members , and friends a happy time. Ladies interested in the formation of a croquet club in connection with Grey Lynn club meet in the Pavilion, Surrey Crescenti on November 16. Mr and Mrs J. Pascoe will celebrate the opening of the Wednesday green at the Grey Lynn club- Visitors will be invited. A better day /than last year is fondly hoped for. There are 5 inter-club matches fixed for Wednesday players, and don't forgetlit , Already we hear of rinks being formed for the big Pennant cort- • tests that take place in December and January next in connection with the A.P.B.A. and the N.B.A, This, I understand iB one of Auckland : Keesing, Diddams, Black (not A. J.) and Tyler. Hot stuff, if we know anything., J. Beecroft, Norry Bell and A. J. Black have decided to throw their lot in with Grey Lynn this season. It will take more than blotting paper to wipe them out in a business go if Grey Lynn get hold of men of this calibre.

The open championship of ,the A.P.B.A. Tournament will be 1 £'big event. The Association will grow "fat .out of the entrance fees. There's one thing about singles : one cannot blame anyone but himself if he loses. It is to be hoped that it will be heads not points. Heads is the game of bowls. December 13 closing night for entries for A.P.B.A. fixtrues. Fix this in your diary. Now is the time at the commencement of the season to see . that the right colours of your clubs are worn. . It is a difficult matter to find four men of any club in Auckland with the uniform colour. On this point a house ought to be -mutually agreed on as the official place to purchase from. The register of colours could be consulted for correctness.

The Brown Stars of Epsom have .been drawn for, and Messrs E. Walton arid E. W. Burton play the first game with E. C. Brown and E. Qraig. The contest is pairs, and 16 heads to constitute the game, the losers not being eligible to compete for, one month if other challenges are posted. The stars are with a gold clasp on a ribbon of the colours ofthe clubj viz., cardinal.

The pairs start play on December 30. The greens ought to be playing at their best, and some tip-top contests must come off., ■'."■].

X There »was a great korero at a meeting of the A,P«B.A. re the effect of the N.B.A. new constitution. After a lot of desultory talk there were two ties which had to be decided by the casting vote of T the chairman. Mr J. Carlaw. However, in the 1 end they decided to leave it over till the N.B.A. reps, meet in our city. Then skin and hair might fiy.

The factions were not \so decided as it appeared in the dailies, because nearly everyone present favoured a Dominion Association. This would be the end of all controversy. As it is now, two bodies clash,,and there is no need for that as each - city (Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland) could be centres to manage. The headquarters could be fixed in each centre when their turn came -to' hold a tournament. Dominion club open on November sth. A pretty card with the colours of the club across the corner has been sent round the different clubs and visitors; The green, is second to none, and the committee are sanguine of having a memorable opening day. So mote it be. Secretary Vuglar is working like a nigger to make it go.

A telegram from the North East Valley bowling club, of Dunedin, was read at Mt. Eden on the opening day, wishing the club a very happy and prosperous season. Rather nice of our Scotch the 'frozen Bouth. Vflp (reciprocate. They say. that music will sooth the savage breast, but it has failed in Auckland, and now they are trying bowls to sooth a Savage. Frank Whittaker is in the hands of the Deyonport. bowlers. Let us see how it will work.

Carlton for once decided to open its doors to "lay for the new season in a quiet- way. President Murray just breathed a welcome to all in a nice warm manner, and got the boys to start play. A real first-class afternoon resulted. The old green was found to be in the best, of playing conditions (the ladies occupied the top lawn), and promises to last better than of yore. The committee were very zealous that their clubmates and visiting friends had a good time. Rock Nook also took things quietly,-an "At Home " later on being mentioned as a solace. There was a good attendance of members and visitors, and a very enjoyable afternoon was spent by all.-. This green is nice at present, and no doubt wfll still improve as the season wears on. Many new members have joined, and a good year is hoped for in every respect. Several improvements are noticeable around the ground. The doctors of the Auckland club are in training for the A.P.B.A. tournament. ■ They are stacking together like plum plaster.