BOWLING SPASMS

Observer, Volume XXXIV, Issue 23, 14 February 1914, Page 22

BOWLING SPASMS

lßt "Thk Ditcher"

THEEE have been some bonnie days spent on the Auckland green during its existence of over fifty years, but perhaps nothing in its history equals the happening of Saturday last. The occasion of all the joy was the celebrating of the official opening of the club's new pavilion. Mr. Parr referred to the generous disposition of the president (Mr. Arthur Myers), and also to the practical interest Mr. Allsop (the honorary architect) took in superintending the erection of the new pavilion. The scene on Saturday at the Auckland Club's grounds will not easily be forgotten by those present. The grounds were set off by a large display of fresh-looking bunting, and a perfect green, blooming flowers, and beautiful ladies added interest. The Auckland Club's improvement's will cost about £3,000. The outlay was necessary, as the corner is so accessible. Anything accessible is expensive in New Zealand. Mrs. Myers (mother of Mr. Arthur Myers, president of the Auckland Bowling Club, now in England) received the guests at the club's "At Home" on Saturday. Mrs. Myers was a charming hostess. Mr. C. J. Parr has at last discovered where his absent councillors may be found, for he noticed a lot of them at the Auckland Club's "At Home" on Saturday, wearing red, white, and blue on their hats. The Howick Club's open tournament, which was interrupted by bad weather, was finally settled on Saturday on the Ponsonby Club's green, which was generously offered to the Howick Club Committee to finish the events. The Eocky Nook Club started with three down on the balance of the game, viz., 13 heads. Dominion Eoad scored an extra three on the first head played on Ponsonby green, and the rest of the game was dead even. The game finished Dominion six up on their opponents. Leyland's team picked the fast green, and held their 'vantage to the end. Vuglar perhaps might be singled out as playing the best of the eight. The Dominion Eoad players were given a hearty reception on their return to their club's green. Committees of young clubs take a great liberty with the game of bowls when they make up a programme, and like to make all sorts of alterations in the conditions of playing. There are rules laid down as to what constitutes the game, and altering the mode of playing is absolutely wrong. In the rules governing some of the minor tournaments around Auckland driving for dead heads has been restricted to two or three. This is not the game of bowls. Any experienced bowler knows that the game would lapse under such circumstances. If the committees are sure that they cannot get through in time, let them make fewer games or take fewer teams. Helensville have grit tackling Eocky Nook. They were only beaten by three on each rink. President Jackson took the end with Eimmer, and the go was a clinker. The Nookites had all the luck or they would have probably gone under. Jackson got some of these exhibition shots off on Eimmer. Condon has settled Pilkington for the final of the South Auckland fours The two teams belonged to the Whitiora Club, fir. the prize is still in the family. Ihe two Mitchels and Hodgkinson did

their bit, and Condon missed very little. Both teams showed splendid form. These Whitioras never show the white feather, fighting out the game, and never forgetting that the game is sport. Bouskill v. Hams was a highly interesting game to the end. The game finished in favour of Rocky Nook by three points. The visit was greatly enjoyed by the representatives from the Hot Water district, and a return visit will probably take place before the end of the season. Mount Albert and Grey Lynn had their annual meeting on their respective greens, two teams each way. E. Buckley took on Ashton, the veteran of the Albert Club, and beat him. W. Baildon and Mansell tied—2l each; a great go throughout. On the Grey Lynn green Tom Mills managed a two-point win from Jenkins. " This was a closely contested o-ame, and brimful of merit. Rowlands lost to Cochrane by a point. The greens played well. The ram that fell during the week has revived the green at Grey Lynn. j.' Wakerlv, Tucker, Pearce, and T D. Taylor scooped the Eocky Nook fours. This is J.W.s second consecutive win. Ellisdon, the runner up, has played a consistent game to qualify for the final, and put una good showing, in the final, only losing by two points. The event looked a good thing tor Wakerly, as he has been showing his best form lately. J. K. is proud of his win, for the sake of the good fellows associated with him in it. Buckridge and Mercer met King and Waddingham in the Mt. Eden Club fours, and a ding dong go it was. Billy just pipped his giant opponent by one. It was the long and- short of it in this game. Without ' doubt those disconcerting war whoops of W. M-s fairly knocked his opposing skip off his game. Four good teams met at Mt. Eden. Garland captained the one against Jim Smith, the club's single champion,, and walloped him by eight. On the other rink Burns outclassed Hudson. All hands played a fair game, but lacked vim. Both the winning teams made 22 each. A further test will happen shortly. The green was not quite up to old form. Luce has outed all opponents for the Wo bowl singles at Rocky Nook. He had a mortgage on this event from the start of the contest, playing in his old-time form. He has beaten some good men for this event. "Rotorua is going to be well patronised after all. Many teams are contemplating this splendid trip. The Exhibition Tournament will interfere to some extent. Still a lot look on this Eotorua Tournament as the holiday of the year.

Mayor Parr mentions as a panacia for labour troubles—bowls i If employers and employees could meet in pursuit of the jack, no more trouble! Even if a game of bowls became a substitute for increased wages, and the win of the employee

over his master reduced the cost of living, who is going to accommodate the rush? Most Auckland clubs have as large a membership as they can conveniently handle. Perhaps Mr. Parr has a scheme in hand for the immediate laying down of (say) two hundred municipal rinks somewhere?

Waitemata are getting closer to an inter-club win. They gave Grey Lynn a shake on Saturday, just losing by a point on the Grey Lynn irreen. Those that crossed the dancing waters of the Waitemata fared not so well, going down 9. On the whole the teams put up a good showing. Five rinks took part, Grey Lynn winning on 5, Sim being the only Waitemata skip to win his spurs.

Remuera had a pleasant surprise on Saturday by beating Ponsonby in a 10-rink contest by 12 points. Walker ,of Ponsonby, took the cake for the biggest (32 to G. Court 8) score, and Tom Craig the smallest, who made 8 to the Rev. Beatty's 25. There were three ties —five wins and two loses—quite a gala day for "Remuera. The odds were against the winners on paper, but that seems to go for nothing. The Eev. B?atty scored the largest number of noints against Ponsonby, viz., 25, to Cray's 8. There were several -'jbstantial rnaporities for Eemuera. vJcCallum had 9 out and Dugwell 7 to the good. The green played beautifully. Mr. Hill, the painstaking caretaker of the Ponsonby greens, excelled himself with the rink for the Howick Final. It played smoothly and smartly, with i draw that woidd please the most fastidious.

We have always thought that our higher education has in the past been too much directed towards giving assistance to those contemplating vocational pursuits. Large amounts of public money are being spent in creating lawyers and doctors, and not sufficient attention is being paid to the training of scientific farmers, manufacturers, trade specialists, and business men. Sir Robert Stout has performed a national service in again drawing attention to this deficiency. — Christchurch "Star."

There is no reason why Mr Massey should not continue with the small Council. It will allow him to realise all his professed hopes. The elective principle will obviously bo brought rearer, there will be no temptation to show political preference, and, better than all, a saving of .=£3,800 per anr.i'in wll be affected, which should appeal strongly to the Prime Minister's s--er.se of economy. — Southland " News."

The friends of Mr William Percy, the well-known comedian, will learn with great interest the news that he has secured an engagement as principal comedian under the Henry Savage management. It will not excite any surprise, however, for those who knew Mr Percy's worth predicted that he would soon be snapped up when he went abroad. Their one regret will be that he may not be seen again in Australasia for many a day. Mr Henry Savage is one of the principal theatrical managers in America, with a big record of musical comedy, as well as grand opera.