BOWLING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23371, 14 September 1939, Page 3

BOWLING NOTES

[I i v Draw.]

Questions and Answers

“ Old Timer.”—lt would take up too much space to give the information asked for, while the subject is not ot sufficient importance to the bowling fraternity. ' “ Lawyer.”—You will find the matter fully explained in the New Zealand laws of the game (page 28). This Dominion, although it is affiliated to the International Board, is not governed by the international laws of the game. “ Draw ” is firmly of the opinion that the international laws of the game are far behind the times, even though they were revised only two years ago. Pavilion Pars. The centre executive is having a busy time dealing with matters concerning the incoming season. Finality has not yet been reached in connection with the method of playing the leads and seconds’ tournament. Many of the greens in the city are looking exceedingly well, and all thb areas laid in weed are giving results ot a pleasing nature. Weed is showing up on the Dunedin green, and the greenkeeper is making provision to have spare roots by planting some in the surrounding spaces. There are well over 18,000 bowlers in New Zealand, 11,800 in the North Island and 6,450 in the South. The North has 219 clubs as against 163. Each island has 11 centres. Port Chalmers Club is still having difficulty in keeping the overflow water off its green. All bowlers hope the Port players will soon get over the problem. Competition Entries for Season. For the Saturday shield matches an entry of 89 sections has been received, which means that close on 1,100 players will be engaged on each Saturday (each section comprises 12 players). It is always encouraging to any branch of sport to see an increase in membership, and there is no denying the fact that bowls is yearly showing a most encouraging increase in the number of players. Clubs which have increased their entries in the Saturday shield games are Balmacewen, from four to five sections, and Otago, from three to four. In the Wednesday competition the entries are about the same as last season, with the exception that the Kaituna Club has joined up in this section. It is noticeable that the following clubs did not make entry: Dunedin, Caledonian, Morningtou, St. Kilda, and St. Clair. The four-rink competition is made up of the same clubs as competed last year, and which was won by the lloslyn Club.

The ‘ Sydney Referee.’ The news that this well-known sporting paper had ceased publication on August 31 came as a surprise to many in this country. Bowlers here also looked forward to the bowlers’ page in this paper, conducted by Mr It. T. Harrison (“Boomerang”). Mr Harrison was, and is still, a first-class bowler, and for that reason he was in a position to.criticise players and their methods, and legislators of the game in both Australia and New Zealand. “ Draw ” has on many occasions published “ Boomerang’s ” notes, and hopes that the last has not been heard of criticisms.

Central Otago Centre. At the annual meeting of this centre Dr Austin, of Cromwell, was elected president, and it is fortunate in having a player of such experience to lead it. The centre, which has adopted the Cromwell green as its headquarters, is anxious to see a change in the method of electing the Bowling Council, and no doubt it will give notice of motion to bring about a discussion of this matter by the various centres in the Dominion. Tt should be remembered, however, that similar motions have met with little support during recent years. The Central Centre’s proposal is “ That the constitution of the association be altered to allow of representation of all centres at the annual meeting, an executive council to be elected by the delegates.” It has often been stated that such a proposal if carried would give too much power to what may be termed “ minor ” centres — that is, if these so-called minor centres were allowed the ordinary voting power, and it perhaps should he remembered that the five leading centres of the Dominion have a larger total of players than the other 17 centres. Nevertheless, there are many who would like to see a change in the method of election.