BOWLING TOURNAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 717, 13 January 1903, Page 3

BOWLING TOURNAMENT.

PLAY STOPPED BY RAIN

(Per Press Association.) Paltnorston North, last night. Tho first annual tournament of t e North Island Bowling Association was commenced on tho local greens to-day. “entries, from twenty six clubs, con- - - stituted a record. Tho weather was fine but windy up to well on m the afternoon, when heavy rain sot in and » tO PP“? play ' During the second round Mr L, D. Nathan, President of the Association, declared the tournament open. The Hon. J. Carroll was amongst those prosont. The folio-ving are the results of tho first roUD \Vanganui 23 v, Danncvirke 17 Mastcrton 24 v; Pahiatua 13 Stratford 21 v. Wellington 18 Palmerston 22 v. Ponsonby 18 Victoria 20 v. New Plymouth 19 Nowmarket 36 v. Petono 13 Hawora 17 v. Patoa 15 Auckland 33 v. Thorndon 19 Newtown 33 v. Upper Plains 11 Sovcral teams arrived too late to tako part in the play.

THE GISBORNE TEAMS,

(Speoial to'Times.)

Palmerston North, last night. At tho bowling tournament Gisborno was drawn in tho first round to play •- against Whataupoko, and as the latter did not arrive in time tho game did not take place, but will bo playod one morning during tho week. In tho second round Gisborno met Auckland, and as tho latter defeated Thorndon in tho first round by 33 to 19 a "ood garao was anticipated. Hcnncssy played as load ior Gisborne, McGowan numbor two, Gaudin third, and Ponsford (skip), tho Auckland team being skipped by Towsoy, with Brookes as lead. Iho first sovon heads resulted in tho minimum score, Gisborne boing fivo to two. On tho ninth head Gisborne had nine to their opponents’ two, and heavy rain prevented tho match being continued, but it will bo rosumed in the morning. Whataupoko met Hastings in tho first match, and on the tenth head Hastings had a load of six, and the chances are in favor of Hastings. Simuon is in good form, but bidebottom is said to have developed driving propensities. Massey is in good form, as also is Martin. Haiti had only played threo heads when rain stopped play. The Manawatu Evening Standard makes the following comments on tbo Gisborne team Gisborne Club, the present holders of the championship, are represented by a fairly strong quartette, and aro likely to bo well up in the presont * contest. Newmarket, Gisborno, and Palmerston North aro oxpected to be well up in tho finals, each club being represented by a strong rink. A familiar figure is Ponsford, tho well-known Gisborne skip, and one of the safest playors appearing at the tournamont. He is a splendid hand at drawing shot, and can bo rolied upon to do it when required, Associated with him is Mr Walter Gaudin, part proprietor of tho up-to-date GisnbßNif Times, and a good player. Another good player is Mr Massey, from Gisborno, and playing for 1 tho Whataupoko (familiarly known as the " What Ho’s ”). Though a young player, in addition he claims distinction from the 1 fact that he is the inventor of tho popular • pastime, table bowls. Tho father of Gisborne bowling (Witty) is expected to j arrive to-day with tho Kaiti (alias “ Kite I High ”) team. 1 Included in tho Wellington team is < Ballinger, a well-known player, and one of tho skips of the New Zealand team i which visited England some time ago. He < is a first-class bowler, as is also Mr Montiplay, tho popular secretary of the As- I sociation. 1

The Hon. Jas. Carroll, Minister for Native Afi'uirs, is representing tho Government at tho Tournamont. The popular Minister is fond of a game of bowls, and has boen a member of the Gisborno Club for some years. Ho skipped in a scratch garno yesterday, and though out of form, steered his men to a good victory. The result was : Demden, Gaudin, Ponsford, Carroll (skip) 21 v. Martin, Nicholas, Cottle, Massey (skip) 9.