BOWLING NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 222, 26 September 1901, Page 3

BOWLING NOTES.

(By “ TOUCHER.")

Thk Gisborne Bowling Green will be opened for practice this afternoon, and the rapidly increasing number of players here gives every prospc t of asuceessful season. Quite a host of new players are mentioned as likely to join the Hub, and many of those who joined last vr already show considerable proficiency the game. In view of the early section of Gisborne and suburban teams for the Wellington tournament, there will no doubt be keen rivalry among players for places in the representative teams. I Jlartin has come prominently to the | front in a phenomenally short time as a leader. His play at \Vhataupoko on Saturday last was steady and consistent, and the efforts of the opposing skips to throw him out by changing the lengths had little effect on his play. He was always close to the jack. Simson counter-balanced his defeat at

Haiti by his win on Saturday last. On several occasions he picked out an opposing bowl very prettily. Another coming event on the CrownClub's green (says Country Sport) will be an open-air vocal and instrumental concert, given by a military band, together with eight or nine leading artistes. Perhaps the Gisborne Committee will take the tip. Ferris was quite at home on his own green, and was in a great measure respon- i sible for the big score put up against Gisborne. He had a strong team, and handled it well. Sidebottom so far this season has not shown his true form. He is evidently waiting for the handicaps to be declared. Hennessy, in bis “ Dependable Boots,”

or rather slippers, will play under the colors of the Gisborne Club this season. A few notes from an exchange : Whilst the bowlers rolled their woods a good band added musical charms to the more prosaic play, whilst during an interlude in the afternoon’s proceedings the whole company sat down to tea. “ And some of Davy Jones' three star locker while listening to the song of the blackbirds and thrushes,” (is an addendum presumably intended as a kind of five-line whip. Pettie, the courteous and popular President of the Gisborne CJub, has felt bound to play for the parent club this year. Sir F. Crainond, the popular local manager of the Union Company, intends to throw in his lot with the bowlers. Jlr F. Piosse, of the Telegraph Department, will he another new member. In the friendly games between Haiti and Whataupoko Gisborne was twice de-

feated. The town skips were apparently drawing their opponents on, and I anticipate that the tables will be turned when the business of the season properly commences.

A. word of praise is due to Messrs Witty and Ferris fortho hospitality shown towards bowlers in the matches played on the Haiti and Whataupoko greens during the past fortnight. Oox showed good form on the Haiti green, and promises to bo well to the front this season.

T. Witty taught the Gisborne members a few wrinkles as to how to draw to the Jack in the Gisborne-Ivaiti match.

Massey does not show great form on the suburban greens. . AVallaee played a strong game as number three in the Gisborne - Haiti match.

T. Adair played the best game of the Gisborne quartette in the first match against Haiti. Bright’s victory over Ponsford by la to 11 was a feather in the cap of the Haiti skip.

One enthusiastic bowler has reserved a pair of woods to be buried with his noble remains. Of course, he hopes to be very venerable before reaching life’s last end up, and, it is hardly necessary to say, he does not want then to go down. Not wandering the Elsyian fields or plucking the asphodel for this worthy, in futurity—his idea of idoal happiness appears to rest and remain in bowling.—Exchango. Some exceptionally fine driving was seen on the Bromley green on the occasion of the New Zealanders playing the popular Kentish Club. McGowan was hardly at his best in the match against Whataupoko. Ho pro*, mises to make matters lively for the suburbanites when he gets them on the Gisborne Club’s green. A late number of Country Sport has the following reference to Mr James Paul, whose portrait they reproduce. Mr James

Paul is the honored leader of the New Zealand team ; and is, indeed, the father of bowling throughout the North Island ot his famous colony. As' president of his club, the New Plymouth 8.C., and as a prominent member of the North Island 8.A., Mr Paul works hard to shape the destinies of the wide sphere of bowling to which ho has had long attachment. As a bowler, the esteemed subject of this too brief notice displays a thorough knowledge of the game, and invariably proves himself a strong all-round player. Many cups, medals, presentation bowls, and other prizes gained over the rinks have been won by Mr Paul as a reward for his prowess, though this fine old vetoran displays all the ardour in a game for love that ho could possibly feel for however valuable a trophy that might be at issue. Thanks in a great measure to Mr Paul’s successful efforts, bowling has of late years greatly advanced throughout his province, with the result that there are now greens in the many towns and out-

districts of New Zealand. At present Mr Paul is devoting a part of the time during his visit to the Mother Country by staying at Girvan, the place of his nativity in Ayrshire. Of a tall, commanding' presence, this good bowler and genuiue sportsman also displays a charm of disposition that certainly wins the esteem it so well deserves. Mr Paul will carry back with him to New Zealand the admiration of a great circle of bowling friends in the three kingdoms, with their sincere good wishes for a pleasant voyage to, and much prosperity in, the beautiful colony of his long adoption. And although born beyond the border, in “ Caledonia stern and wild,” and for many years a trusty citizen of Taranaki, yet well shall Mr Paul be claimed by the Southrons as “ a fine old English gentleman ” —one of the present time .