WORLD BOWLS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20073, 20 October 1939, Page 12

WORLD BOWLS

SAN FRANCISCO TOURNEY GISBORN FI TVS SUCCESS Thirteen New Zealand bowlers participated in the recent international world bowling tournament held in Oakland in connection with the San Francisco Exhibition. The first of the tourists to return is Mr. J. D. Boniface, Palmerston North, who. was accompanied by Mrs. Boniface.

Five bowlers from Palmerston North were included in the party, Messrs, A. S. Bayliss. D. Morris, Boni. face, J. ,J. O'Shea and M. .1. Lee. Three came from Timaru, one from Gisborne, three from Auckland, and one from Wellington, Mr, J. Morgan, formerly a stationmaster at Palmerston North.

Singles, pairs, threes and rinks were played at the tournament, which extended over two weeks and which was conducted on a different system from that used in New Zealand, Mr. Boniface explained. A, B and C sections were set. up and the two-life system used. However, it appeared an anomaly that one bowler could win his first two games and lose his third and be thus out of the succeeding competition, whereas another player who lost his first game, won his second and lost his third still remained in. In the post-section play t'ne same system applied. Messrs. I. Stephenson. Gisborne, and E. Lynch. Auckland, won second place in the pairs tournament and received as their trophy a metal plaque of the San Francisco Exposition, set in a redwood base.

Many players from British Columbia took part in the tournament, Mr. Boniface commented; there appeared to bo a frequent interchanging of visits between San Francisco and British Columbia. Bowling, while it was played by expert players, was made quite a “business.” The greens were not cut and rolled as often as New Zealand greens, but they played very nicely, even so, and were true. Water was used liberally after every day's play and greens were set in parks, usually bounded on three sides by a hedge. The subscriptions were very low.

Following the bowling tournament a trip was made to Los Angeles, taking five days in one of the big motor companies’ buses.

The other Palmerston North members of the party travelled East with the intention of visiting the New York World's Fair and are expected back in a month or so.