BOWLING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue VI, 10 February 1900, Page 259

BOWLING.

(By

No Bias.

Note.—Secretaries of Bowling Clubs throughout the colony are requested to forward notices of meetings and results of games played—in fact anything of benefit to bowlers generally — to "No Blas,” ‘■Graphic” Office. THE NORTH ISLAND BOWLING ASSOCIATIONS CENTURY TOURNAMENT. NEWMARKET CLUB (AUCKLAND) WIN THE CHAMPION FLAG, SHIELD, AND SILVER-PLATED BOWLS. WELLINGTON GAIN SECOND HONOURS. GRAFTON CLUB (AUCKLAND) RECEIVE ASSOCIATION’S CERTIFICATE FOR THIRD PLACE. The Century Bowling’ Tournament of the Northern Bowling Association for the year 1900 has come and gone, and with it, too, remembrances that will never be forgotten. In the first instance, the weather from the commencement to the finish of the play was simply perfect, and the Tournament itself may be said to be the largest ever held in New Zealand, no less than 32 teams being employed, engaging 128 players at one time. Another feature of the affair was the good representation of players from Sydney and Newcastle, thus bringing together gentlemen from the land of the kangaroo to compete against those of the island at one time traversed by the moa. That we may have many more of such gatherings is the earnest wish of the writer. Last week I was only able to give you the results of the first three rounds, and now supply the rounds to a finish. FOURTH ROUND. Sydney beat Remuera by 26 points. Devonport beat Newcastle by 26 points. Newmarket beat Feilding by 11 points. Palmerston beat Mt. Eden liy 4 points. Bluff Hill beat Auckland by 10 points. Napier beat Hastings by 3 points. Hawera beat Gisborne by 6 points. Wellington beat Ponsonby by 5 joints. FIFTH ROUND. Ponsonby beat Gisborne by 1 point. Wellington beat Napier by 9 points. Devonport beat Remuera by 12 'points. Hawera beat Bluff Hill by 1 point. Hastings beat Auckland by 1 point. Newcastle beat Mt. Eden by 16 points. Newmarket beat Sydney by 2 points. Feilding beat Palmerston by 7 points. SIXTH ROUND. Newmarket beat Remuera by 5 points. Palmerston beat Sydney by 6 points. Auckland beat Hawera by 38 points. Wellington beat Hastings by 38 points. Ponsonby byat Bluff Hill by 7 points. Napier beat Gisborne by 2 points. Feilding beat Newcastle by 17 points. Devonport beat Mt. Eden by 18 points. SEVENTH ROUND. Bluff Hill beat Napier by 13 points. Wellington beat Auckland by 9 points. Hastings beat Gisborne by 13 points. Ponsonby beat Hawera by 22 points. Feilding beat Devonport by 12 points. Remuera beat Mt. Eden by 12 points. Newmarket beat Palmerston by 15 points. Sydney beat Newcastle by 13 points. EIGHTH ROUND. Hastings beat Sydney by 3 points. Palmerston beat Auckland by 9 points. Newcastle bent Hawera by 10 points. Wellington beat Feilding by 36 F'iuts. -''f''mnrket beat Napier by 1 point. Bluff Ilin beat Devonport by 2 poiuts. Mount Eden beat Gisborne by 5 points. . Ponsonby beat Rempera by 7 p»iuts.

NINTH ROUND. Newmarket beat Bluff Hill by 14 points. Ponsonby beat Devonport by 8 points. Remuera beat Gisborne by 8 poiuts. Napier beat Mt. Eden by 5 points. Palmerston beat Hastings by 9 points. Wellington beat Newcastle by 7 points. Auckland beat Feilding by 5 points. Sydney beat Hawera by 3 points. TENTH ROUND. Mt. Eden beat Bluff Hill by 46 points. Remuera beat Napier by 3 points. Gisborne beat Devonport by 17 points. Newmarket beat Ponsonby by 13 points. Auckland beat Newcastle by 26 points. Sydney beat Wellington by 3 points. Palmerston beat Hawera by 38 points. Feilding beat Hastings by 5 points. ELEVENTH ROUND. Mt. Edeif beat Ponsonby by 5 points. Newmarket beat Gisborne by 8 points. Napier beat Devonport by 5 points. Remuera beat Bluff Hill by 2 points. Auckland beat Sydney by 15 points. Wellington beat- Palmerston by 6 points. Feilding beat Hawera by 29 points. Newcastle beat Hastings by 21 points. TWELFTH ROUND. Auckland beat Remuera by 37 points. Mt. Eden beat Wellington by 14 points. Newmarket beat Hawera by 7 points. Devonport beat Hastings by 5 points. Napier beat Newcastle by 2 points. Sydney beat Bluff Hill by 10 points. Ponsonby beat Palmerston by 6 points. Feilding- beat Gisborne by 1 point. THIRTEENTH ROUND. Auckland beat Mt. Eden by 14 points. Newmarket beat Wellington by 12 points. Devonport beat Hawera by 27 points. Remuera beat Hastings by 5 points. Bluff Hill beat Newcastle by 1 point. Napier beat Feilding by 3 points. Gisborne beat Palmerston by 3 points. Sydney beat Ponsonby by 11 points. FOURTEENTH ROUND. Feilding beat Bluff Hill by 17 points. Napier beat Palmerston by 12 points. Gisborne beat Sydney by 6 points. Ponsonby beat Newcastle by 8 points. Mt. Eden beat Hastings by 9 points. Wellington beat Devonport by 29 points. Auckland beat Newmarket by 16 points. Hawera beat Remuera by 1 point. FIFTEENTH ROUND. Wellington beat Remuera by 2 points. Auckland beat Devonport by 13 points. Newmarket beat Hastings by 5 points. Mt. Eden beat Hawera by 1 point. Palmerston beat Bluff Hill by 24 points. Napier beat Sydney by 7 points. Newcastle beat Gisborne by 9 points. Ponsonby beat Feilding by 18 points. From the foregoing summary it will readily be seen the victories achieved by each club, also the number of points obtained by them over their opponent’s. ® © © THE CHAMPION BANNER AND BOWLS. The following- table shows the wins and losses to thq credit of each team at the close of tlie Tournament: — Club. Wns. Ls’s. Grafton (Auckland)...•»-« 11 4 Bluff Hill (Napier) 5 10 Devonport (Auckland)... 5 10 Feilding (Rangitikei)... . 8 7 Gisborne (Poverty Bay)..- 5 10 Hawera (West Coast).... 2 13 Hastings (Hawke’s Bay) 3 12 Mount Eden (Auckland) 6 9 Napier (Hawke's Bay)... 10 5 Newcastle (N.SAV.) 5 10 Newmarket (Auckland).. 14 1 Palmerston (Wellington) 8 7 Ponsonby (Auckland)..,* 10 5 Remuera. (Auckland).,.. 9 6 Wellington 12 3 Sydney (N.SAV.) 8 7

SMOKE CONCERT. A smoke concert was held on Friday, Feb. 2, in the Choral Hall. Mr .1. Kirker, president of the Auckland Bowling Association, presided, and was supported by Messrs A. W. Thomson, vice-president Northern Bowling Association; J. H. Mentiplay, hon. sec. N.8.A.; H. Campbell, president Auckland Bowling Club; E. Mahony, president Mt. Eden Club; T. Finlayson, Remuera Club; W. Gorrie, vice-president Auckland Bowling Association; aud J. Blades, hon sec. A. The tables were arranged lengthwise in the hall, and the catering was well carried out by Mr A. F. Stilwell. About 200 were present. A capital musical programme was gone through, under the direction of Messrs A. Towsey and Culpan. The following items were given:—Piano overture, Mr A. Towsey; “Soldiers of the Queen,” Mr J. R. Russell; “The Banks of Allan Water,” Waiata Quartet; recitation, “The Bartender’s Story,” Mr Haybittie; violin solo. Master Mowlem; “Oh, Where’s the Girl of Whom I’m Fond,” Mr Denton; organ solo, Mr Towsey; “The Absentminded Beggar,” Mr G. Reid; “Let Me Like a Soldier Fall,” Mr A. L. Edwards; “Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still,” Mr Nash; recitation, Mr W. B. Eyre; “In Cellar Cool,” Mr N. Bell; “’E Dunno Where ’e Are,” Mr A. Horrocks. The programme was heartily enjoyed, almost every item being encored. A collection was taken up during the singing of “The Absent-minded Beggar,” the amount given being £l2 15/2. The chairman announced that Mr A. F. Stilwell and staff had given a cheque for £lO, making the total £22 15/2. With the approval of the meeting he intended handing the money to the “more men” fund. (Hear, hear.) After the toast of "The Queen” had been honoured the chairman proposed that of “The Visitors.” He expressed his pleasure at seeing among them bowlers from Australia, and hoped all the Australian colonies would be represented next time. He would ask the assembly to drink the healths of the vice-president of the N.B.A. (Mr A. W. Thomson£_and the secretary (Mi- Mentiplay). Mr Mentiplay was the backbone of the Association. They regretted the absence of the president, and that Taranaki was not represented at the tournament. The toast, coupled with the names of Messrs Thomson, Mentiplay, and Horrocks was warmly honoured. Mr Thomson replied, stating that the hospitality shown bred the warmest feelings in their hearts. Mr Mentiplay also responded. Mr Horrocks returned thanks for the kind way the Sydney players had been entertained. They had tested the calibre of the bowlers, and were quite satisfied.

In proposing the toast of “The

Ladies” Mr Coleman referral to th, kindness of those who provided after noon tea during the play. Mr D Stewart replied on behalf of th* ladies.

The toast of "The Press” was proposed by Mr H. Campbel] and duly honoured, after which Mr Mentiplay proposed “The Winning Teams,” congratulating the Newmarket on their win, which was a good one, Mr H. W. Brookes responded. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Messrs Stewart Dawson and Co. for their gift of clocks as trophies.

NEW SOUTH WALES V. NEW ZEALAND.

A VICTORY FOR NEW ZEALAND. Tlie inter-colonial bowling match New South Wales v. New Zealand was played on Saturday afternoon on Mr Kirker’s private bowling green, Ponsonby, and resulted in a win for New Zealand by twenty three points. Play commenced at 2.30 and finished shortly after five. The majority of the large number of spectators who availed themselves of Mr Kirker’s general invitation to all bowlers and their friends to be present proceeded to the wharf at 2 p.m. and embarked on the Eagle, which Mr Kirker had thoughtfully provided for the convenience of his guests. Most of the visiting bowlers—those who could tear themselves away from their love for half an hour took advantage of the President’s hospitality to view the beauties of the “last, loneliest, loveliest” harbour, and altogether the boat was well filled. As the boat left the wharf Hunter’s band, with its usual eye to effect, struck up “Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep,” but beyond this suggestion of roughness the trip was a perfectly smooth one. After a short cruise round the harbour, during which time the band provided popular and patriotic selections. a course was shaped for Ponsonby wharf. On the way the U.S. transport Abarenda was passed, and amid the strains of the “AbsentMinded Beggar,” salutations passed between the two boats. The Ponsonby wharf was then made, and those on board proceeded to Mr Kirker’s green, all having enjoyed their trip, more especially the visitors. On arrival at the green it was at once seen that Mr Kirker had made the most sumptuous preparations for the entertainment of his guests. The whole of his spacious grounds had been thrown open and seats and chairs had been placed round the green for the convenience of onlookers. In the pavilion near the green refreshments of nil kinds were provided for thirsty bowlers, while a large marquee nt the end of the grounds provided light ballroom fare of the most sumptuous description for visitors. The tables were tastefully laid out, and the excellent arrange-

merits made by Mr Stillwell, caterer, who has dour the whole of the catering- for the tournament. Hunter’s band discoursed sweet music on the lawn, and altogether everything was done that could be done for the comfort of visitors, and Mr Kirker’s praises were heard on all sides. The afternoon was certainly a fitting climax to an enjoyable week.

The most interesting point about the play was the intense interest which the spectators displayed. Although the visitors were outclassed in two rinks out of three, and were defeated by a substantial majority, yet the onlookers carefully followed the game. and impartially applauded every good bit of play. The applause at times indeed resembled that which greets the Bland Holt Victoria Cross Lieutenant when he rescues the heroine from the clutches of the cashiered and villainous Major. On rinks No 2 and 3 Xew Zealand won easily, while on Rink No. 1 the visitors gained a victory. The issue was, however, never in doubt, for the Selection Committee had done their work well, and the home team was a strong one. The visitors* play was, however, by no means to be despised, and though beaten they were not disgraced. Blay in the inter-colonial match finished a little after five, and shortly after bowlers and visitors dispersed thoroughly satisfied with their afternoon, mid loud in their praises of Mr Kirker. The following are the results: — NEW SOUTH WALES V. NEW ZEALAND. No. 1 Rink: Josephson, Gordon. Richmond. Horrocks (skip) 24 v. Tait. Saywell. Mowletn. Ballinger (skip) 19. No. 2 Rink: Sheather, Fallick, Hardy, Hannigan (skip) 10 v. C. J. Laurie, Ballantyne, Laxon, Ledingham (skip) 28. No 3 Rink: Giles, Baines. Porter. Rodgers (skip) 15 v. Ponsford. Beatson. Crowley, Evans (skip) 25. Totals: New South Wales, 40; New Zealand. 72.

THE STEWART DAWSOX CLOCK COMPETITIONS.

An interesting competition followed the main tournament. After several close g-ames the contestants were narrowed dow nto four rinks. The following are the results of the concluding rounds : — THIRD ROUND. Evans (skip), 23, beat F, W. Court (skip'. 13. Hoyle (skip), 21, beat Ponsford (skip). 20. A tie occurred at the 21st head, and was played off. with the result that Iloyte was the victor. Ballinger (skip). 29, beat Bunting (skip), 15. H. M. Brookes- (skip), 19, beat Crowley (skip). 10. FOURTH ROUND. 11. W. Brookes (skip), 22, beat Evans (skip). 15. Ballinger (skip), 27, beat Iloyte (skip). 15. \\ in tiers to play off. Wellington: Reich, Bell. Mentiplay, Ballinger (skip), 22. Newmarket: C. G. Laurie. A. 11. Brookes. G. 11. Laurie, H. W. Brookes (skip), 21. The game throughout was of the most exciting character, and one of the best and cleverest played throughout the tournament, the result being in doubt till the last bowl was played. Newmarket required 3 to tie and 4 to win. Two points were laying in Newmarket’s favour when the skips left the end to play their bowls. Ballinger drove with both bowls and missed, and Brookes drew with both, and when the shots were measured the Newmarket skip’s bowls counted out by 3 inches, leaving Wellington the winners by one point, after one of the closest and keenest fights ever seen on an Auckland bowling- green. The Wellington team leave for home tit 2.36 to-dav.