BOWLING.

Otaki Mail, 6 February 1922, Page 3

BOWLING.

Playing on the local green ou Saturday Williams and Bills had an easy

win from Bramley and Brandon, 31 —9. The winners now play Noble'and his partner to decide the section winner, after which the winners will meet Windley and Smith in tho linal. A match, Town v. Country, will be played on Saturday. While playing bowls one often hears “chipping” about the bowls not taking the green, or the green itself is dead, the heads too long—all this when they lose. Yet they play another day with the same bowls, the same green, under precisely the same conditions, but they are in better form. Then you hear that “the green was perfect,” see how I know these bowls; I can draw to within an inch.” But such is tho game of

bowls. 1 ' One thing that should not lie overlooked on the Otaki greeir is the refreshment portion. The wonderful, happy and consistent way in which the ladies provide afternoon tea on the green is appreciated. The bowlers look for their tea now, and I suppose the pleasant smile with which it Is handed round makes the acceptance more appreciative, at least, so it appears to the writer when* he observes with wliat relish even the old hands accept the welcome refreshment.

To see groups of gentlemen, old or young, disporting themselves on the sward of a well kept bowling green i? always a cheerful sight. And the picture is one very familiar to tire, community. It suggests leisure, pleasant relaxation, and a sufficiency of healthgiving exercise in the good fresh air. It has a twinkle of derision for the study office and the hundred and one prison houses wherein man is condemned to daily toil. It breathes of perennial youth and boyhood for all the sprinkling of greybeards among the players. Its savor is that of good humour and democracy. The staid professional man, the solemn minister, the calculating merchant, the inscrutable storekeeper—these and all the rest of them seem ou the bowling green to throw off the mask that covers so many private cares and responsibilities and become simple companionable souls bent upon nothing but the game in Lad. _____