BOWLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1059, 28 November 1903, Page 4

BOWLING.

(To the Editor Gisborne Times.)

Sir, —la view of what transpired on the Bowling Green on Thursday, when I was ordered by the committee to give up my place in a team that Mr PoDsford (who can only play six days per week) might have praotice, I think the members of the Club might consider whether it « well to disarrange tho play, as is now done, for the sake of an extra point or two at the tournaments. Ordinarilly only certain members of the Club are permitted to skip. When the the rep. teams are selected these are absorbed in playing as reps, or against them. These who are outside of the rep. party are dismissed to do the best they can among themselves. Whether they are likely to have a good time or not or feel discouraged or not appears not to be considered. On the green, as elsewhere, the “ devil take the hindmost.” The rop. team consist largely of gentlemen of leisure. They can play every day and all day if they wish, yet those who can play only one afternoon per week are made subordinate, and in many cases made to feel humiliated that the reps, may have a good time. It has been suggested that second raters ought to feel pleased to be allowed to grease the bowls and lay the mat for the reps., that the honor and glory of the club may be uphold at tho tournament. Ido not quite hold such views, because the reps, tbomselves know that the Auckland teams have far and away the best chance on their own grounds, and therefore all the honor and glory visions may be dismissed. We expect they will have a good time, and if this is all that may be looked for, I ask again is it worth while making bowling uninteresting to so many during two months in the best part of the season ? As Mr Ponsford could not get to the green until 3 o’clock, the committee decided, therefore, to keep his place warm for him. Someone had to fill the temporary gap (grease his bowls), and I was selected. It would be very interesting to know how Mr Ponsford would feel and act if Mr Simson had been selected as rep. skip, and he (Mr P.), after playing, say five heads of a game, was ordered by the committee to give place to Mr Simson, and as amends be sweetly told he might take Mr Devery and skip against Dr. Scott. Senior members should remember the old saying, '■ Mine to-day, thine tomorrow,” and make their influence so felt that, not the rep. team only, but tho pleasure of. all may bo considered. —I am, etc., 3N.