BOWLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11596, 14 January 1916, Page 7

BOWLING.

NOTES FROM THE GREENS. (By THIRD PLAYER.) The annual tornament of the Dominion of Now Zealand Bowling Association was commenced in Christ-church last Monday, and so far as it has progressed it can fairly b© considered a very euocossful function. When the question of the season's programme was first discussed by the council of the association, there was a feeling in eomo quarters that there should be no tournament at all this season, on account of the war. This did not find favour, however, and eventually it was decided to hold the tournament as usual, but to devote nil the profits to patriotio objects. This decision was well received in various parts of the Dominion, and there was a strong feeling that a special effort should he made to ensuro a record tournament, in order that the financial results should be a credit to the howlers of the Dominion. Unfortunately, however, the number of competitors proved a trifle disappointing. At one stage it seemed quite certain that there would he no tournament, and even on the date arranged for the closing of entries the list wrs far below expectations. There was some talk then of abandoning the tournament, hut the general feeling was in favour of going on. Eventually the entry day was extended, and with very satisfactory results, as the list finally closed with seventy-two in the rinks, 144 in the. doubles and 128 in tho singles. These figures were below the number hoped for, especially in the rinEs, but they were ample to ensure a j TOCoessfultournament. Though satisfactory enough in numbers, however, the entries were decidedly disapSn'nting from another point of view. nly two rinks were present from Auckland, a verv poor response from the northern province, which can boast so many fine players. Th«ro is, of course, the excuse that Auckland to Christchurch means a long trip, but in tho _ old day 3 ( of the Northern Bowling Association, the Aucklanders used to muster in strong force every second year, when the tournament was held in Wellington. Nearer homo there was cause for disappointment, in the poor response from players south of Christchurch. The muster from the south was easily the worst I can recall at a big tournament in Christchurch. Otago clubs provided a few rinks, but only a few, while Southland players Were not represented at all. This was a matter for surprise, as Otago and Southland clubs can boast some of the keerfest and best tournament players in the Dominion, and their absence left a real gap. In marked contrast with the response from the far north and the south were the entries received from Wellington, which materially assisted towards the success of the tournament.

Ji e entry received from the south has been a frequent subject of discussion among tKe bowlers engaged at the tournament during the paet week Some were unkind enough to put it\ down to the absence of prizes, but this was indignantly denied by some of the southern players who put in an appearance. Ond Dunedin player with whom I talked was very positive on, the subject. He put it all down to the wai, and instanced more than one well- , known figure at tournaments who'could not attend ins year owing to shortage of staff, through young men leaving for the front. , All the same, there is a feeling of soreness in bowling circles in church at the want of support forthcoming from Otago and Southland for this tournament. From , what I i OU w „ e . arn 1G feeling applies equally to Wellington, and some of the northerners at the tournament were not slow to express their views on the subject. It is just as well that two vears have to elapse before the turn of "Dunedin comes round again for holding the Dominion tournament. lam afraid there would a poor attendance of visitors if it had to be played much earlier, but time may bring a- change of views, especially if the southern cracks turn out well for the tournament in Wellington next January.

The greens available for the tournament have come in for considerable discussion during tbo week. Taking a calm view of the whole situation, I am afraid it has to be admitted that not one of them was up to the highest standard. Ghristchurch was probably the* best, as it has been for some years past, but it has not been playing nearly so well this season as usual. I suppose the weather has had something to do with this, and it will account for the disappointing state of some other greens. Certain it is that most of them were a long way below the standard one would like to see for an important tournament. Linwood played •well, and is probably better now than ever before. Edgeware, which was in great order last autumn, has not quite maintained its high reputation, though it played fairly woll this week. Opawa has also gone off a lot) being decidedly rough, a remark which applies to more than one other green. St Albans was in good order, considering the unfavourable season, and played true enough. The worst green provided for the rinks was Canterbury, and many of those who had to plav there were very outspoken in their criticism. It certainly was not fit for any serious game to be played 011. There appears to have been a blunder, from all J. can hear, in selecting Canterbury green for the rinks and leaving Sydenham .idle. Some players claim that Sydenham is in firstclass order just now, but unbiassed reports on this point will be available later, so the subject can bo dropped for ths present.

I heard some complaints during the week concerning the absence of evening entertainments for those engaged in the tournament, even the usual association smoke concert being cut out. The executive was of opinion, however, that the time was inopportune for too much joviality in connection with tho big gathering.

Mr M. F. Barnett, president of the Dominion Bowling Association, has been a very busy mail during the last few wc-eks, superintending the preliminaries for the tournament, Since opening day lie has had no special worries, as everything has worked smoothly, thanks to the complete arrangements made by the secretary, Mr D. E. Wood. Thursday was the president's special day. Mr and Mrs Barnett were "at home" on the Canterbury green, where there was a gi'eat gathering of bowlers and their lady fnends. Mr Bamett has a reputation as a host on occasions like this, and on Thursday ho excelled himself. A fourteen-rink match was played between the North_ and South Islands, but this was an item in the day's proceedings, which were exceptionally successful in every way.

There are & lot of other remarks I havo to make concerning the tournament and the players who were engaged, but ther must wait for another occ^ioii. A Sydney writer is responsible for the following:—Mr Fleming Laurenson, the champion of New Zealand, or. at any ra,te, one of them, for another championship Las just been determined, and Mr Laurenson is now hieing hack to the scene of his triumphs after a lengthy spell in the Old Country, where he" visited most of the greens, as an antidote to the anxiety caused by his son's participation in the war. At one of the greens the Haitaitaa crack was allotted No. 2 position in a few friendly roll-ups, until he thought it Worth while to inform his hosts of the position he held in New Zealand bowls. Ho was promptly given a more responsible position, and, tfffnight be expected, justified his promotion. Among tho members of the club was

a player who had twice won the championship of England. and Mr Laurenson mentioned a desire to try him out on a 21-up game. No difficulty was experienced in bringing the two together, and there was a larger attendance then usual when they took the mat. Tho spectators were impartial enough in the treatment they extended to tho participants during tho g&me, but when tho New Zen lander rer-urned with the Englishman's scalp., having won 21-10, they took their defeat in gloomy silence.