BOWLING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23691, 26 September 1940, Page 14

BOWLING NOTES

[By Draw.] All communications for publication in this column should reach the ‘ Star ’ Office not later than noon on Tuesday. 1940-41 Season. If tho weather for the incoming season is as good as it has been during tho winter months bowlers will be pleased. The splendid winter, which was free from heavy rain and frost, gave thg greens an opportunity of being prepared for play at an early date, and most of them are now ready, but October 5 will be the earliest opening. Saturday, November 2, is the date arranged for the beginning of the interclub matches, for which record entries have been received. The petrol restrictions may make the travelling between greens a little slower than in recent years, but tbe players will soon adapt themselves to any changes that may be necessary, and they certainly will not allow a temporary inconvenience to interfere with the pleasure which they derive from the competitions.

Official Club Openings. ■‘•Draw ” acknowledges invitations from the following clubs October 5, Roslyn (president, Mr M. Marriage, secretary, Mr C. M. Caffin). Caversham (president, Mr H. Stubbs, secretary, Mr C-, J. Jenkins). October 12, Caledonian (president, Mr H. A. Newall, secretary, Mr R. D. M'Leod). October 12, Tainui (president, Mr D. C. Cameron, secretary, Mr A. M‘Gregor) . Sports Bodies and the Navy Queen. All sports bodies have been drafted in the Navy Queen’s group, and bowlers are expected to do something to assist in the “ rehabilitation ” effort. Time is short, so the centre executive decided at its meeting last Saturday that the most effective way would be for each club to make a collection at its own green on November 2, the opening day of the interclub matches (not on the club’s opening day). It is recognised that bowlers have many 'calls for patriotic purposes to meet in their business and other paths of life, but it is hoped that the clubs will make an effort for the cause on November 2. All moneys collected by clubs for’the Navy Queen should be sent to the secretary of the Dunedin Bowline Centre, Mr R. S. M. Sinclair. A.M.P. building. Princes street, so that the contributions of tbe day can then go forward as a combined effort.

Importation of Bowls. 1 Import restrictions at present include bowls from all parts of the world, and it appears as if there will b e no supply landing during the season. From inquiries the writer has made there are very few bowls on hand for sale in this city, so anyone wanting a now set will have to Imrry along.

The executive of the : New Zealand Bowling Council is bringing pressure to bear , upon those in authority to allow of a limited number being imported from our cousins over the Tasman, or the difficulty might be overcome by one of the Australian companies setting up a factory in New Zealand. In normal years the annual sale of new bowls', particularly over the last few years, in the Dominion has reached a figure that would be surprising to most of our citizens, and the value of the goods from a commercial view more surprising still. The innovation of the smaller class of bowl into the game over the last decade has as-

sisted in raising the sale of bowls considerably. Dunedin Centre Executive. The monthly meeting of tho executive, held last Saturday evening, was one of importance, as at that meeting the entries for tho Saturday interclub games and the Holmes heathers competition (four rink championship) were finally accepted. It is pleasing to report that over 1,100 players will be engaged each Saturday in tho interclub competition, and this is due mainly to tho democratic system under which tho competition is played, as any club in the centre may enter any number of sections (a section comprises three teams of tour each, or 12 players). Provision has been made 1 for the playing of 14 Saturday games on tho following dates:—November 2,0, 16, 23, 30; December 7, 14, 21; January 25; February 1, 15; March 8, 15, and 29. The entries comprise 92 sections, made up as. follows:—Anderson’s Bay 5 sections, Balmacewen 5, Brighton 1, Caledonian 5, Caversham 5, Dunedin 6, Fairfield 1, Green island 2, Kaikorai 5, Leith 5, Logan Park 2, Mornington 4,. North-east Valley 5. Opoho 3, Otago 3, Outrain 1, Portobello .1, Port Chalmers 2, Boslyn 5, St. Kilda 7, St. Clair 5, Taieri 3, Tainui 5, West Harbour 3. St. Kilda has entered another section. making seven in all, requiring 84 players each Saturday. Tainui has increased its entry from four to five sections, and the Taieri Club has an entry of three sections as against two over a number of years. Otago has fallen back a section, and this year supplies three sections, whereas it had four for a time. Centre Takes a Stand. Though the first regulation covering the Saturday competition states that clubs in entering must do so in section (comprising three rinks), some clubs in the past have made entries or been allowed to play sections comprising two rinks. This privilege has now been cut out, and only sections of three rinks have this season been accepted.

Holmes Feathers Competition. For the Holmes Feathers competition there is an entry of 19 clubs, and this season the games will bo played in three sections, and the Draw Committee wisely recommended that the zoning system.be employed to save as much travel as possible. South zone will comprise Green Island, Caversham, St. Clair, St. Kilda, Tainui, and Anderson’s Bay; north—Dunedin, Leith, North-east Valley, Opoho, Logan Park, and West Harbour; hill districts—Balmacewen, Kaikorai, lloslyn, Morningtotr. Kaituna, and Otago. (Owing to pressure of work at the mills and the question of transport, the Taieri. Club has not made an entry.) The Draw Committee has allotted dates for these games as follows;—November. 25, December 2,9, and 16, January 27, and February 3. All these dates are for Mondays, as pro-vided‘by-the regulations. The play-off of section winners will take place reasonably soon after the section winners are found, and tlie regulations will probably provide for a special system of scoring in the triangular play-off.

Wednesday Competition (Hope Shield). Last season 14 clubs entered 32 rinks for this competition; for the incoming season 16. clubs have entered 44 rinks. The increase is substantial, and goes to show that the average bowler prefers a competition game to an ordinary rollup. It is interesting to note that this competition has its own match committee, which is responsible for the draw of the rounds and the running of the competition throughout the season: but, of course, any decision is subject to appeal to the executive. The entries are as follows:—Anderson’s Bay 3 rinks (last year 2), Balmacewen 4 (3), Caledonian 4 (0), Caversham 4 (4), Kaikorai 2 (2), Kaituna 2 (2), Leith 4 (4). Logan Park 2 (1), North-east Valley 4 (3), Opoho 2 (2), Otago 2 (2), lloslyn 3 (2), Taieri 2 (2), Tainui 2 (2). West Harbour 2 (1), Port Chalmers 2 (0). The Caledonian and Port Chalmers Chibs are new entries to the competition. The donor of the Wednesday shield is' Mr John Hope, who has represented the Otago province in both Rugby football and cricket, and is still an enthusiastic supporter of both games and a member of the Dunedin Bowling Club.

Other Centre Competitions. Club day is set down for Saturday, January 18, and Saturday, February 22, is set aside for players who wish to take part in the South Otago Centre’s tournament, the elderly bowlers’ day. This date is also the second day of the Dunedin Cup race meeting. February 28 (a Friday) and March 1 are set apart for the champion of champions, and those in charge of the various clubs’ championships will have to give some attention to their competitions, as the date mentioned is earlier than is usually the case. March 22 (a Saturday) and March 24 (the date on which the holiday, Anniversary Day, will be held) are marked down for the Adess Shield competition, as well as the leads and seconds’ tourney. On February 8 the interprovincial match Otago v. Southland will be played in Dunedin, and this date will also bo available for clubs wishing to hold “ one-day ’’ tournaments. A date has not been allotted for the Otago v. Canterbury match, but an endeavour will be made to have this played on March 8 at Christchurch. West Harbour Club. By reason of removals from the district and enlistments, the West Harbour Club has suffered the loss of nine valued members since last season. Never a ■ strong club numerically, these defections meant a serious problem to the committee, both financially and in playing strength; in fact, it appeared that the withdrawal of one section from the competitions was inevitable. However, a committee was set up for the purpose of securing new members to fill the vacancies, and it is pleasing to announce that since the animal meeting of the club 12 new members have been elected, while it is confidently expected that several other residents will bo joining up when the new season begins. West Harbour ivili be at home for the start of their season on Saturday. October 19, when visitors and intending members, also representatives from other clubs, are cordially invited to be present. Tlie club is entertaining two members. M. Faithful and A. Parker, next Saturday night, when presentations will be made to them prior to their departure for camp.