BOWLINS NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23697, 3 October 1940, Page 3

BOWLINS NOTES

[By Draw.]

All communications for publication in this columu should reach the ‘ Star ’ Office uot later' than noon on Tuesday. Questions ami Answers. “ Blockhead.” —The smallest bowl that may be used in any competition in New Zealand is size 4 4-16 in in diameter, and it should bo borne in mind that though there is a law allowing a one thirty-second of an inch for wear and tear in measuring bowls that have been in use, this proviso does not apply to the medium size. (2) Yes, the standard bowl that will be in use from' the incoming season has been reduced in size, now being 5 l-16in, as against the old one of s^in. The new standard bowls wore made in Australia by the Hcuselite Company, and I understand were donated by that firm to the Now Zealand Bowling Association. (3) It is not compulsory that bowls should be examined before play in ordinary tournaments or competitions, but law 25 provides that in association tournaments bowls should be examined before play. Official Club Openings. “ Draw ” acknowledges further invitations from the following clubs:—October 19, West Harbour (president, Mr W. Lind; secretary, Mr T. J. Doonan); Dunedin (president, Mr W. G. Robertson; secretary, Mr G. A. Nelson). Opening Days.—October S: North-east Valley, Caversham, Roslyn, St. Kilda, Kaituna. North-east Valley Club. When this club opens the playing season on Saturday afternoon it will do so on its new green, which is situated immediately on the west side of the pavilion. The writer paid a visit to this club’s property early in the week, and though ho had heard that the new green was looking well ho was not , prepared to see it in such a forward state. Those responsible for the layout of this now green are deserving of the highest praise, as, besides an excellent-looking playing area, much care has boon exercised m preparing the banks and upper surrounds. The new green appears to bo mainly, if not all, grass, and it has a fine colour and looks very healthy. The situation is even better catered for by the position of the pavilion than the old green, which, by the way, is looking exceptionally well for this time of the year (this green is usually at its best about Christmas time and from then to the end of the season, the heav,y weed being in a way responsible for this). The Valley Club deserves the very best thanks of the bowling community for adding another beautiful green to the already largo number of which Dunedin is justly proud. “ Draw ” offers his congratulations to the Valley players on their enterprise, and trusts that Mr Rice and his merry men will have a most enjoyable season on the new green. A word of praise is also due to this club’s groenkeeper for the cxcellent condition in which he has the whole of the club’s property. Bowling Umpires’ Association.

The monthly meeting of the Bowling Umpires’ Association was held on Friday last, the newly-elected president, Mr A. G. Rennie,, being in the chair. There was an excellent attendance of members, including live now members. The local representatives on the New Zealand Bowling Council were also present. Communications from the Auckland and Christchurch Umpires’ Associations concerning some bowling problems were read and fully discussed. This exchange of debatable questions on the laws of the game is a new departure, and is bound to assist in bringing about uniformity of decision throughout Hie various centres. In the near future k may be possible to arrange a conference between representatives of these Umpires’ Associations with a view to improving the standard of umpiring. At the conclusion of the routine business of the meeting some problems were introduced for discussion. When a problem has been thoroughly discussed and an approximately unanimous decision arrived at, the problem, accompanied by a diagram, is entered in a specially prepared book and the decision appended. This book is proving a valuable record. Draw ” has 011 many occasions made reference to the good work of tho Umpires' Association, and again offers tho suggestion that clubs in this centre shou'd see that they have at least one representative at Hie monthly meetings, which are held on -the fourth Friday evening of each month. At these meetings all bowlers are welcome, and their attendance will ho appreciated by the executive as well as instructive to bowlers who wish to have an inner knowledge of tho laws of the game as well as the many rules and conditions which govern many competitions.

Rulings on the Laws of the Game. The various umpires' associations in the Dominion mot with a number of complex questions relating in the main to incidents that have occurred in various_ competitions, and one special incident is receiving some attention at the present in an endeavour to have a universal understanding in regard to the possible outcome of opinions that may bo submitted by bodies that have been asked to give a ruling thereon. The Dunedin Association has submitted the following incident to sister associations; —“ In one end, one shot bowl was counted (toucher), but on proceeding to measure for second shot (close up), one of the bowls being measured, of itself, fell over and displaced the jack. The association asks for an opinion as to the count: (a) If the counted shot had been removed, as should have been done; (b) if the counted shot had not been removed. A decision by the Christchurch Association was that, provided no claim had been made under law 86, the count in both (a) and (b) would be one point, and that no count could bo made after the ■jack was displaced in such circumstances. 'No law is quoted in support. “ Driver,” of the ‘ Weekly Nows,’ says the question and the answer are well worth discussing. In the first place there is no obligation to remove the shot bowl, for law 88 clearly refers to bowls whose count might be a matter of opinion until “ admitted by the other side,” and not to a bowl actually touching the jack, and therefore not requiring the other side to agree (?). In fact, most players would object to the shot bowl being removed, for the mere fact that it was touching Hie jack suggests that if it was removed the disappearance of the pressure might possibly cause the jack to move. This principle is openly allowed in law 89, when two bowls are involved, and one has to be removed in order to measure, but it is not necessary to have a law with the same provision for a situation as described, teeing that there was nothing to gain, but possibly something to lose, by removing the toucher. As far as the writer knows, the local association has not given a decision in regard to the point or points under review, but I think that the near future will sec something definite being done in that direction, and then after associations concerned havo debated the point there is a probability that the executive of the Bowling Association will be asked to give a ruling, and its decision will no doubt bo awaited with interest by many players in the Dominion. Under the heading of ‘ Getting Ready for January,’ the Auckland bowls writer makes this statement; “ It is just as well that the question has been raised now, for the Christchurch umpires will have the responsibility of administering the laws at the Dominion tournament next January, and they will hardly relish being criticised, as they criticised Wellington last January and Dunedin in 1938. It is very unlikely that the exact parallel will bo repeated, but quite probable that a somewhat similar movement will occur while measuring the first and second bowls, not tbo second and third, as in the case under discussion. After dealing with the question from other angles, “Driver” adds: It is really not very important which way the umpires eventually decide; the great thing is that they must agree beforehand what policy they will adopt if faced with such a position. It is fortunate that there is plenty of time to discuss it. (In the question raised the position should bo clarified as to when Hie umpire is called in and tiro state of affairs prevailing when he comes upon the scene.j

Winter Play in the North. The Secretary of the Tauranga (Bay of Plenty) Bowling Club has forwarded to “ Draw ” a Press cutting giving details of the closing ceremony in connection with winter play. The green was in excellent order and very fast for a winter green. At the afternoon tea adjournment the president, Very Kev. T. H. Roseveare, in a short speech, referred to the excellent conditions which had prevailed during the winter season, which had been a record both for days of play and for the average number of plavcrs per day. The summer season was V

to open early in October, and , a good season was anticipated. The past president, Mr F. W. Doidge, also spoke, and said that he could not allow the winter closing to pass without reference to the way in which the croquet ladies had attended to the afternoon tea arrangements throughout the season. Their efforts had been greatly appreciated, and to show this he called on the bowlers for three hearty cheers. It is very pleasing to note that our northern friends had, like ourselves, a splendid winter, and I feel sure that if the greens of Dunedin had been prepared for

play during the past winter our good days would hare outnumbered those of the Tav ranga district.