Bowling Notes

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 195, 26 March 1904, Page 16

Bowling Notes

By Wrong Bias

THE Sydney men have been a bit too previous in picking a. team to meet tie redoubtable New Zealanders at Easter-tide. In short, the trip is "hoff." The idea sprang originally fiom some members of the Wellington Club, who contemplated a trip to Sydney and Melbourne at Easter, and, of course, would like a friendly game on any bowling green they came across. Other clubs from Auckland to Dunediru were communicated with, but the response was feeble, and, as the time drew nigher, the thing fizzled out. Last week, only two Wellington Club men, one from Newtown, and a couple of trundlers from Patea, were al that were prepared to face the music. It will be sad news for Sydney, but perhaps they'll get over it. There were no bowls on Saturday, but there were many strong reflections upon Captain Edwin's weather. Sidney Lambert and Grandfather Alpe are going to have a flutter for those Diamond Buckles. There are several others getting ready. The Civil Service, as well as the Law, Insurance, and Banks, has always been conspicuous for its devotion to the memory of St. Patrick. Therefore, it was only to be expected that all these patriotic Irishmen — although many of them may be disguised in Scotch and other names — should keep up the day ■with the serious and improving exercise of bowls. As a matter of fact, they were chasing and kissing the kitty and smashing up heads — just by way of "divarshun" — all day long on the Wellington green. Nor did they neglect thfc time-honoured practice of "drowning the shamrock." First of all there was a lively set-to {three rinks a side) between the Government Printing Office and the Post and Telegraph people. Naturally, the lightning jerkers won by 77 to 48. Rose's rink iust pipped Mackays by 21 to 18, but Longton led Davy Ross a lively dance for 35 to 14, while Gray passed out Conlin at 21 to 16. After this curtaui-raiser, came the great piece de resistance of the Civil Service against the combined skill and intellect of the Banks, the Insurance, and the Law, or, as one spectator irreverently observed, "the World, the Flesh, and the Devil." They mustered out eight rinks a-side, and when the numbers went up, after two and a-half hours' desperate exertions, it was found that the unholy alliance was sitting on the flattened-out chest of the Civil Service with a score of 193 to 147. B.N.Z. Mentiplay was the most bloodthirsty skip of all. Along with Mitford, Cuff, and Allen, he had bashed Gamble, Salmon, Morris, and Scott about to: the lively tune of 34 to 7. Insurance Gibbs's crowd were almost as unmerciful with Davy Ross's hopeful little party. It was a case of 33 to 15. The cause of education also suffered badly in the fray. Inspector-General Hogben did his level best to keen up bis end of the stick, but Redstone aided by J. P. Campbell, of Kelburne, playing a deadly game as No. 3, simply could not be denied, and the Civil Service was glad to get throujrh with 11 to 26. Longton put up the best performance for the Civil Service— 33 against Kilgours 15. Rose was next best, with 22 against Astill's 16. The Civil Service's only other successful rink was \a charge of Heywood, of Treasury fame, which, after a very tight scrimmage, hoisted up 21 to Trevor Goulds 20. It was a very Equitable deal. President 'Mclntosh, of the 8.N.Z. , put through Nancarrow and Co. by 26 to 20, and D'Emden knocked out Gray's Post Office party b- 24 to 8. A sharp struggle for the Hili Pins came off on the Wellington upper green on Wednesday afternoon the Ells themselves< — father and son — skipping the respective teams. The holders were Bell, Hamilton, Bush, aDd C Hill, sen., and they went down before Peter Drummond, Veitch Berry, and E. J. Hill, by 16 to 22. The family event excited much interest. On Saturday week, Mayer, Townsend, Page, and Hueston sallied forth from Victoria, and left "the ashes" at Wordsworth-street, in charge of Allen, Flinders, Lawson, and Remington, who let them down by 32 to 24. A return match is to be played on the Victoria green on Saturday next.

We have leceived trom Messis. Gordon and Gotch (Cuba - street; a paicel of novels, fresh from the press, which aie eminently suited for holiday reading The piint is clear, the stories axe well told and the interest is quickly aroused and easily sustained to the close. » » * "The Golden Fetich" (Bell's Indian and Colonial Library) is a tale of African adventure, by Eden Plulpobts, much on the lines made so popular by Rider Haggard. The golden fetich is a bit of gold wrapped in a piece of cryptic writing which both fall into the hands of two enterprising young fellows in. England, and starts them upon a hunt aftei some buried treasure in Central Africa to which the writing iefeTs. On the voyage to Africa they both fall violently in love with the same goddess, they get shipwrecked on the Zanz bar coflst. and then follows the animated recital of their adventures as they push their way into the heart of Darkest Africa. There is plenty of haid fighting:, some logueiy, and many surprises, but the quest ends hapmly at last — at least for the heio and heroine. * * * ' The Silver Spoon" (Bell's Indian and Colonial Libraiy) is a love story, by Ma] or Arthur Griffiths, which opens at Monte Carlo, and passes through various racecourses before it leaches the altar and the orange blosssms. It tells how a young fellow of neglected education and inherited millions, under the influence of love inspired by a sweet girl, detaches himself from the crowd of blaoklegs and harpies who Drey upon him and rises to a honourable position m the social scale. Of course, the blacklegs and the harpies are not easily sent to the riffht-about, and some of their plots to keep their quarry down and suck him dry form the staple of the story. But love triumphs in the end. * ♦ • "Castle Craneycrow" (Grant Richards's Colonial Library) is a bnghtlvwntten tale, by G. B. McCutcheon. The hero is a wealthy young New Yorker, who upon discovering a burglar in his rooms, at the dead of night, gives him a suit of clothes, treats him to a square meal at a good restaurant, and makes him his valet. That opening episode preoares you for something original in Mr. Philip Quentin. As a matter of fact ; he goes to Londr- finds in the Italian prince who is the social lion of the hour, an operatic tenoor whom, he had met at Rio, and discovers that the prince is engaged to be married to a girl sweetheart of his own. Naturally enough he falls in love with his sweetheart once more, and, failing to convince her of the rascality of the prince, he boldly abducts her when on her way to church to b© married, and carries hei off to Castle Craneycrow, an aid pile in Luxembourg, which his friend, an English, nobleman, has bought. It was a sensational coup, and tLe bold American in the end foils the prince, and wins his bride. A duel and other lively happenings keen the interest screwed up to full concert pitch. Messrs. Sidey, Meech, and Co., land and estate agents, valuators, etc. call attention elsewhere to the fact that they have a large selection of properties for clients to inspect. Full particulars about holiday excursion tickets and train arrangements for the Easter holidays on the Wellington and Manawatu railway are advertised elsewhere. The booking offices at Wellington are to be kept open daily between 6.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. from Tuesday next, till Monday, 4th April (and on Thursday, 31st . instant till 11 p m.), for the sale of tickets.