BOWLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2552, 13 July 1909, Page 2

BOWLING.

(By “Toucher.”) Weather of the worst description was the element with which enthusiastic bowlers had to contend with during the past week. t)n Thursday afternoon last the bonders had the best of it for a couple of hours, but then had to give way for a time to Jupiter Pluvius. The enthusiastic?., not content with standing idly by, measured their strength of purpose with the God of the Weather, and the games wore completed amidst slush underfoot and rain overhead. Such is tho keenness of the enthusiast. Something out of tho usual in Gisborne bowling circles is taking place. I refer to a competition being held among the bowlers of a certain office staff, namely, that of the “Gisborne Times.” In this competition members of the Gisborne, Turanganui, Caledonian, and other' clubs, which comprise the staff, are “battling” for the honor of holding the. “Gisborne Times’ Feathers.” The competition is similar to that held by the staff of tho “OtagoDaily Times,” the holder of the feathers to be open to challenge at any time. So far two rounds have been, played, and tho final is awaiting decision. In the first round Nasmith, junr., met W. Gibson, the latter receiving 14 points start. Gibson, being a “new chum” at the. game, his opponent coached him for several heads, and so great was the benefit that Gibson received from the coaching that his opponent had no chance (with Gibson in the game that ensued. Gibson picked up the strength wonderfully, and whenever his opponent lay three or lour he would invariably save. Notwithstanding all the efforts of Nasmith, Gibson got home the winner by 12 points. In the same round T. Clarkson met 0. W. Exall, the latter receiving 12 points. Contrary to expectations, Exall put up a -good fight-, but on an extra head Clarkson just managed to secure victory by the narrowest possible margin. In this round F. Farrell and A. J. Benzie were also to meet, but tlie latter, being too busy, forfeited his game. The semi-final was then played, W. Gibson getting the bye. The game between Clarkson and Farrell, the semifinal, was a splendid one. Each player was in good form, and some fine drawing was witnessed. In the end Clarkson proved victorious by several points. Gibson and Clarkson now met for the final, and if Gibson plays like he did in his first essay, Clarkson will have his work cut out to beat him..

The Turanganui Club has had its annual meeting, and I, for one, offer m.y congratulations for their financial position as disclosed by the balance-sheet. The note sounded throughout tho meeting was “progressive.” It showed itself first in the. election of President and Vice-President. In the former position Mr W. Bruce was elected, and the club is to be congratulated on getting such- a, member as president, for he showed himself at all times an enthusiastic bowler and one anxious to promote the interests of the club. In the election of a vice-president, the members generally voiced with no uncertain sound the advocacy of the principle of these two offices rotating. Not wishing to depose Mr Hepburn from the office, that gentleman being laid aside in the hospital by an accident, the members expressed the necessity of the office rotating, but declined to oppose Mr Hepburn under the circumstances. This (principle of rotation was brought up in regard to the necessity of revising the rules, and I would not be surprised to see the rules embody the principle. The. afternoon tea arrangements of last season came in for warm approval, and due thanks were given to the ladies concerned and the Refreshment Committee. Ono other important matter mentioned at the meeting was the consistent violating of the Northern Bowling Association’s rule -. “Any member of two or more clubs shall declare at the commencement of the season which club he intends to play for in all inter-club and club prize matches during that season, and shall not play in any other than the one so declared, except by permission previously obtained in writing from the Association.” I understand that during the past season four members broke this rule* namely, Messrs W. J. P. Gaudin, J. J. Martin, A. Zachariah, and Cussens. It Is not at all unlikely that this matter will also he referred to at tho Gisborne Club’s meeting at the end of the month. According to “Jock” of the Otago “Witness,” “'the figures in the Dunedin Club’s balance sheet are on a somewhat larger scale than is usual with bowling clubs. The liabilities are set down at £I9OO. The assets are: Property account, £163.1 16s 6d.; cash in bank, £l6 9s 7d; on deposit, £250; debtor, £2 2s; total, £I9OO 8s Id. The actual receipts appear to have amounted to £364 3s 6d. It is; difficult to sav what portion of the expenditure should he' sot down for the season’s working, as two seasons’ club .prizes, two payments of interest, and two levies to the council are set down. Analysis of these figures appear to show that the total was £246 14s 6d. In that case the actual profit made was £ll7 9s. The purhase. money for the site of the now pavilion was £256 13s 4d, and to meet this £250 was advanced on mortgage by that real I friend of the club, Mr Andrew Mowat, whose, total advance on mortgage is £1250. The amount of contract for the new pavilion is £687 7s. It is understood that another friend of the club, though not an old member, Mr A. Black, sen., has agreed to finance this undertaking.” That thriving institution—Waverle.v Bowling Club (Sydney)—holds its 16th annual general meeting shortly, when members will be told of further great advancement and very bright prospects. The roll shows 55 new names and a total of 162. despite 22 resignations mostlv through removals to other district*?. Burins the 12 months that have passed liabilities were reduced by £3OO, and second mortgages paid off fully. Tho excess of income over expenditure reached £371 18s Bd. Surely bowling members may shake hands—one with another —over such a condition, of things. Some New Zealand bowling people, headed by Mr W. Waddell, who took

that all-conquering combination to Australia last year, arc engaged in getting a team for England together, and appear satisfied that it will bo at least a fairly 'representative side, and it, is thought that an invitation from . the. Ontario Bowling Association to visit, and play matches in, Canada might be accepted. The High Commissioner for New Zealand- was elected .president at the AngloColonial Bowling Club, at a meeting held this week at Anderton’s Hotel, says a London correspondent writing on May 14th. Mr. Stephen Fortescue, who’ toured New Zealand and Australia four years ago, said it was with the greatest pleasure that he proposed tho High Commissioner as head of the club, lie also thanked Mr J. Augustine Mason for the interest he was taking in tho new movement of establishing a headquarters for colonial bowlers visiting this country. Several names were proposed for membership—Mr A. M. Ivors (Auckland), Mr P. A. Vaile (Auckland), Mr. G. H. Scholeiiold (Wellington), and Mr C. Wray Palliser. Mr Fortescuo proposed that there should be no feo whatever for membership relative to 'colonists, and he spoke of tho way in which, by the kindly aid given / Mr Haybittle when here, the movement had been mainly launched. A letter received from W. Wakeman, of the Pahiatua Club, who made quito a host of howling friends when ho was here two years ago, on the experiments he is making with Cumberland shore turf, has aroused much interest. During the last few years many greens have been laid in the Midlands and the South of England with grass brought from the seaside of Cumberland. Tho time may come when colonists will be playing on practically identical turf as the finest rinks here; the experiment is an interesting one.