BOWLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2428, 17 February 1909, Page 2

BOWLING.

ON THE GREENS. (By “Toucher.”) The quietude of the local bowling greens was again interfered with last week, when a number of followers of yc olde game of bowles” wore lured an ay from the rinks by.the attraction of horse-racing and the attendant excitement. Nevertheless matches have been played, steady progress beiim made.

I notice that the Turanganui Club are making a number of improvements on their green. The asphalting round the pavilion has been renewed, and improvements made in the interior of the pavilion. The seating accommodation for visitors has been considerably augmented, and is now equal to the Gisborne Club. Besides the six seats the Club possessed, three splendid seats have been donated by Messrs G. Matthewson, D. Hepburn,* and AA r . Bruce. A gilt has also been made to the club by Air AY. IT. Douglas. It is not at- all unlikely that a Handicap Fours competition will be held shortly by the Turanganui Club, and I hear gold medals are to be the trophies. It is about time a move was made for the usual inter-club matches between the Gisborne and Turanganui 'Clubs. The season is drawing apace, and as two or three matches are. to be played, the sooner the first contest is got off the better. I would suggest that the. game be restricted to two 'rinks from either club, in which event good contests should ensue. I would ask the committees to get the. matter in hand.

The question of Sunday play is a matter about which there is great diversion of opinion. Some clubs indulge- in the practice, as witness the Greenmeadows Club, Hawke’s Bay, but I do not know if the practice obtains locally. At any rate I fail to, 'see. any harm in it, nor do I see any difference between the playing of 'bowls, golf, tennis, cricket, or indulging in rowing or yachting on a Sunday. I notice the question of bowling on a ’Sunday was the subject- for discussion at a large meeting of the Fitzroy 'Bowling Club, New Plymouth, the other week. The New Plymouth “Daily News” states that a petition from fifty-three financial members was presented against Sunday play, and it was reported, on the other hand, that many members would not pay 'their subscriptions if Sunday play 'were disallowed. There was a lengthy 'discussion, and eventually a resolution Hvas carried to the effect that it was 'desirable that it should bo known that 'the club had given no sanction to 'Sunday play. The green will be open on Sundays as usual for those who prefer to play. The matter was 'subsequently referred to by Air R. 'Cock, president of the New Plymouth 'Club. He said that for his part he 'would never allow Sunday play on the town green. Apart .altogether from 'the religious aspect, he considered the ’green was the better for a rest on at 'least one day in the week, and the remark certainly applied to tho caretaker.

It is a common practico amongst bowlers when they have won trophies during the season to “supplement” 'tho actual club value, of tho prize, and at the annual distribution come for'ward to receive, not a prizo of the ’value of one or two guineas, as the caso may be, but articles varying in amount from one guinea up to five, (six, seven, or eight guineas—according to the length of their pockets.

On this subject a “Dunedin Star” writer says: “I was present at a meeting some little time ago, •when a discussion arose as to the limit that should he placed on the trophies. One 'gentleman was most emphatic in his denunciation of big amounts being offered for club competitions, and said: ’“lf any member of this club is not prepared to carry home- a trophy ■worth a .guinea or 30s, ho should cease ‘playing the game. I am strongly against the giving of largo prizes.’ 'And it was just exactly a month af'teijwards when that self-same member, ’who had won a guinea prize during last season, came along to the annual distribution and was “presented” with a- handsome piece of household ware — I should say worth about seven guineas! Of course lie had supplemented. But that was quite another ‘thing. Tho poor man may do as iie *is told; the rich man may do as he pleases! The other day at Christchurch. several winners were given 'orders for silver medals, and they ■ordered gold ones. Tho authorities, I am told, investigated the matter, and after making things “warm,” 'eventually allowed the matter to drop. Human nature takes some funny turns now and again. But if a man wishes to present a prize of ■the value of ten -guineas, why should'n’t he he allowed to do so. That’s •tho point that might he explained.^ • The many bowling friends m New 'Zealand of Air Charles AVood, president of tho Victorian Bowling As* Sociation, will learn with regret tnat through continued ill-health lie Las ■been compelled to resign the office ho ■has held for fourteen years as head of th pastime in that State. Air AYood Visited this country twice on _ mter'national bowling matters (.in It>99 one ‘1901), on the last occasion as coleader with the. late Mr John Young, “the King of Bowls,” of the Australian team. ..... Remarkable interest is being displayed in many parts ol England over 'indoor howling, which lias long been popular across tho Border, especially in tho Lowlands. At Maidenhead the game has met with particularly surprising success, and tho recentlyformed club has a membership of nearly sixty. So quickly did the members gain the required skill that one of the- rinks was successful in the AFGaw Challenge Cup, which carries frith it the championship of the AFGaw Indoor Bowling Association.