HOME AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 238, 8 October 1928, Page 9

HOME AGAIN.

MAORILAND BOWLERS. TOUR OF BRITISH ISLES. RETURN BY WAY OF CANADA. The first members of the New Zealand bowling team to return home after their tour of the Brutish Isles, the Con* tinent of Europe and Canada, arrived by the Niagara to-day by way of Vancouver. Including wives of players, the party on the vessel numbered 27. After the tour of Canada about half the company went south to California for moref bowling in that sunny clime, and they are there now. Four or five members will return to Wellington by the Makura on her next trip and the others will come home at their leisure. All are agreed that the tour has been most enjoyable and the event of a life* time. "It was a wonderful trip," said Mr. R. Eagleton, "but I think that on the whole our standard of bowling is just as good as any we met on the tour." Mr. Eagleton commented upon the extra* ordinary variety of greens which they experienced, the range being from good 'to indifferent and ted. Some of the greens, he said, had the shiny surface - with which Auckland bowlers are familiar, but on others the grass was long and literally the bowls had to'be pushed through. They met opponents who were adepts in the long grass, as the outcome of a strong wristy action, while of the New Zealanders who sampled the strange surroundings it could at least be said that they added to their experiences. Mr. Eagleton said that the splendid hospitality met with was a feature of the tour. On the way home they had learned to appreciate American players, and incidentally grasp something of the viewpoint of the other fellow in wider affairs than sport. The Canadians were extremely hospitable, and the New Zealanders were keenly hopeful that a Canadian bowling team would tour the Dominion. "There is just this difference with bowling at Home compared with here," said Mr. Eagleton. "There it is merely a hobby, and not a business." The Auckland members of the returning party were: Mr. H. S., Mrs. and Miss Hill, Mr. and Mrs. F. Needham, Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Sands, Mr. and Mrs. W. Kirk (all of West End Club), Messrs. A. Coutts (Carlton), R. Eagleton (Rocky Nook) and.M. L. Needham (West End). The other members of the party will leave by express to-night for their homes in.the Waikato, at New Plymouth and other southern centres.