The Star. FRIDAY, JULY 15, 1927. THE GOLF TEMPERAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18208, 15 July 1927, Page 8

The Star. FRIDAY, JULY 15, 1927. THE GOLF TEMPERAMENT.

Bobby Jones, the present holder of the British Open Goli Championship, has secured a flying start in the first of the four concluding rounds of this year’s event. Though an amateur, Jones is undoubtedly the greatest golf player of the present day, and it will not he surprising if he repeats his last year’s victory. He is quite a young man, and he has devoted his life to the game. Ilis 08 for the round is equal to the course record at St Andrews, and as he is an extremely consistent player, his chances of annexing the big event again are very good. It must he gratifying to golfers of the Antipodes to see that L. Nettlefold, the Australian amateur, and J. Kirkwood, the Australian professional, have performed so well, filling second and third places respectively in the first round. If they can maintain the pace that they have set they are still in the running, as the championship is never lost until it is won. The cables received so far show that British golfers have done very well, but they rather suggest that many of the outstanding American crack golfers are not present. It is good to see that veterans like Harry \ ardon, “ Sandy ” Herd, and James Braid, arc still abreast of their younger compeers, and their performances show that, even in elderly middle age, a golf championship is not beyond the reach of a master. It is notable in the first round also that amateurs have done very well indeed, filling eight of the first ten places. It is doubtful, however, whether they will be able to maintain their pre-eminence, as in such a nerve-straining contest it is difficult to maintain a consistently low average over the four rounds. In golfing temperament the professionals have the advantage.

Misrepresentation, or misunderstanding, seems to he the chief stock-in-trade of opponents of the Summer Time Bill. It is amazing to find farmers getting up in Parliament and arguing that the mere adjustment of the hands of the clock can possibly add an hour’s work to the farmer’s day. One farmer-Member, who took this view, actually slated that farmers work under present conditions from daylight till dark and that the Summer Time Bill would make them |«et up an hour before daylight. The argument is stupid in the last degree, and shows an entire lack of knowledge of the provisions of the Bill. Neither is it correct to say that the Bill is aimed at the provision of an extra hour’s sport for city dwellers. There is not the slightest doubt that this will lie one of the most beneficent effects of the Bill, hut actually it merely provides an extra hour of daylight outside the average working hours, and people may do what they like with it. Farmers will not be placed at any disadvantage, and, indeed, the more progressive farmers are strongly in favour of the Bill. The fact that the second reading was carried by thirty-three to twenty-one should ensure the safe passage of the measure in the House of Representatives, and if the Legislative Councillors stand by their pledges of last session the Bill should become law this year.