BOWLS Without BIAS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12620, 3 December 1926, Page 9

BOWLS Without BIAS

From reports which have come to hand feiiico me last column appoareu, it is very likely that Mr Harrison (“Boomerang of tho “.Referee”) will not bo able to make the trip to New Zealand which ho anticipated earlier in the season. 'This is much to ,be regretted, firstly, because there tire many bowlers wfio would like personally to express their thunks to him ior all that he has done ior bowling in the Dominion, and he. courts to get teams from (Jueeuslaml, New South Wales aud Victoria to come over here; and because of tire kindness shown to New Zealanders who have boen on visits to Australia j and further, because they were very keen that lie should see the two-life system in operation, and judge of its merits for himself. At one time he was very much opposed to it, but of late he has coiuo to believe that there is something in it. He is open to conviction, anyway, and was very desirous himself of getting some practical experience of it. He would then have been able to talk straight from the “horse’s mouth,” and nis opinion would have carried a lot of weight on the other side. He is evidently not one of those who—“Convinoed against his will” Is of the same opinion still,” hence it is not surprising to know that he has a strong feeling, and that his views are treated with respect. We can only hope that the difficulties which have arisen will be smoothed over so that New Zealanders may have the opportunity of extending a hearty welcome to him. What a disastrous week-end it was, a real touch of winter. It was enough to give to give one the shudders to think of going out in flannels. Not a green was played on over the weekend, and to havo attempted play would certainly have done'the greens no good. Those who went to their clubs had to be content with . indoor entertainment. Quite a few players showed that they had not altogether lost their winter form at billiards and snookei. Others enjoyed a quiet hand at solo, and on a wet night it is just the thing. Dick Ramsay, who skipped the

champion of champions link—Hataitsi—.last season, has recently had a rather bad break-down, and is under the doctor’s orders, so much so that he will not be ploying for some weeks yet. His genial face and able leadership are missed at the club, for he is a good skip, a fine fighter, and can take defeat with as good grace as victory. His old rink pals miss him too, to say nothing of the selector. May his recovery be a speedy one. Mr A. J. Parker, of the Aiiokland Club, who-; returned from Sydney this week: stSfer that there is a reasonable possibility that some visitors from Australia will be here. He met the South Australian executive while in Adelaide, and they gave .'him a most cordial reception, premising two rinks for the tournament, and a touring team early in March. The Victorian executive expects to send two or three rinks, and will favourably consider the invitation to send a touring team next season. Very few are coming from New South Wales, but Mr George Redmond, who is. back in Wellington, was informed just before leaving Sydney, that Mr Felix Booth is thinking of coming over, if he can make up u rink. He is known in Sydney as the “Prince of the Strollers,” and he has already secured Mr McEwen, late president of the Petersham Club, Sydney,, and hopes to get Mr Frank Doherty, a vice-president of the New South Wales Bowling Association. * • * *

The hope was expressed in this column last week that an effort would bo made to aacept the invitation to 'visit Australia next year, and it is pleasing therefore to hear that Mr Parker is interesting himself in this direction. It is hoped to arrange a New Zealand party to go over in November or December next year, finishing up at the great Melbourne carnival at Christmas time. We should like to

see tho Wellington centre taking an interest in the project. It would make a big difference to the response if a change in the system now in use were made on the other side. The two-life system is being given au extended trial by one association, and if any visitors to tlih January • Dominion tournament are favouraiblv impressed by the New Zealand system and report accordingly, it will make a lot of difference when they get back to their own clubs. There is every reason to anticipate that the methods used in the Dominion tournament next month will be better than ever, and it is rather a pity that there is not more uniformity in this and other respects between Australia and New Zealand. If a New Zealand party is to go over in November and December next year surely it ' would be an opportune time for the Dominion Bowling Council to send delegates to meet representatives of the Australian States, aml have a real heart-to-heart talk !!t the round table to see if some degree of uniformity can be reached on ni.es and control. In the revised rules just issued by the Dominion Bowling Association we feel sure there are numerous points which would commend themselves to our friends in Australia, to saying nothing of the rules for umpires and markers, a provision which has been very favourably commented upon. ••' • • The Wellington centre will be meeting again in a few days, and possibly the ohairman will introduce the question of, sending representative rinks next year as suggested, and also permit an expression of opinion as to whether the time is not favourable for a bowlers’ conference on the subject of uniformity :in Australia and New Zealand. Exchanges of visits will not reach that degree of permanence and recognition until the methods on either side are brought within cooce of each other. This will give added interest to the games, and will he an important step towards uniformity in the bowling world generally, surely an end much to be desired. • • • • The two most important changes since last yeat\ are the reduction from

five to four rounds the first day, thus avoiding the iniquitous bye to all the two-lifers in the fifth round, and, secondly, the adoption of an automatic draw, instead of making a fresh draw for each round. All the arguments in favour of the two-life system apply equally well to its natural extension to the. three-life, and several clubs seemed inclined to try it this year in competitions where they are not pressed for time, such as the championship pairs and the handicap singles and pairs. A few points are worth consideration. a * * •

Mr W. J. Frost, of Wellington Club, has recently been up in Auckland district, and played No. 3 for Mcßobbie at Remuera.

Law of the game No. 13 says: “A player, having delivered his howl, must follow not further than 15ft from the mat. (Penalty for breach as provided in clause 8, page 2.)” Page 2 happens to be a blank; it should read page 4. - ‘ • . » • •

A bowler asks if the last player is allowed to follow his bowl up to the head? Our interpretation of the rule is that the last bowler must comply with the rule as other bowlers. He must not follow up more than 15ft. When the bowl has come to rest then he can proceed to the other end in the ordinary way. The rule is not tod' well worded in saying “A player must follow not further than 15ft.” This is a definite instruction —if taken literally—to follow up for 15ft, but it can easily be revised next time. Does not rule 95 require a slight addition or qualification? It refers to the use of howls that have “been tampered with' or altered by weighting.” Should not the words “after having been officially tested and stamped” have been added?