THE GAME OF BOWLS.

Shannon News, 1 April 1924, Page 3

THE GAME OF BOWLS.

T Next to archery, the game of bowls is the oldest British pastime still existant. In the Royal Library, Windsor, an M.S. of the thirteenth century, contains a drawing of two players aiming at a small cone, equivalent to the pre-sent-day "jack." A contemporary artist, apparently with a ,good sense of humour, has ably caught a part of the spirit of. the game, which is as strong as ever to-day. The first player's bowl has come to rest just in front of the "jack," the second player is following after the bowl, which he has just delivered, in the contortions which pre-sent-day players jsinulate, and the first player is making a repressive gesture as if to influence the bowl to stop short of his own. The third is in tht

act of delivering his bowl. As bowling waxed in popularity, s( it grew in disfavour with constituted authority, for it was feared that il would detract from the interest oJ archery, which was at the time a na tional art of high importance in de fence or assault. In the reigns of Ed ward 111., Eichard 11., and other mon archs, it and other sports were forbid den by statutjs. By an Act of 1541 artificers, labourers, apprentices, servants and the like were forbidden to play bowls at any time save Christmas, and then only in their master's house and presence. Anyone playing bowls outside his own garden or orchard was liable to a penalty of 6s Bd, with the exception of those who possessed lands of the yearly value of £IOO who could obtain licenses to play on their own private greens. This Act was not repealed until 1845. Nevertheless, a s i delight. on human nature is furnished by the fact that Henry VIII. had constructed at Whitehall bowling greens for his pleasure, and did not hesitate to back himself when he played. Like bell-ringing, bowling drifted into undersirable • relations with the

pothouse, and fell into disrepute. In 1555, on the ground that the game was an excuse for "unlawful assemblies, conventicles, seditions and con* spiracles," the licenses were withdrawn. Street says: "It appears that soon after the introduction of bowling alleys they were productive of very evil consequences, for they became not only exceedingly numerous, but were often attached to places of public resort, which rendered them the receptacles of idle and dissolute persons, and were the means of promoting a pernicious spirit of gambling among the younger and most unwary of the devotees. In the sixteenth century these nurseries of vice were universally decrped, and especially such as were established within. the city and suburbs' of London, where the illeffects arising from them were most offensive;"

; "You ought to fix an age limit for 'entrance to the game of bowls,' ' said a •speaker in replying to the toast of "Kindred Sports," at the bowling dinner on Wednesday evening. "Par •too many young men. aro taking on •this sport, when they should bo play ing cricket or tennis." —Southland [Daily News. The Masterton rink which has held the Dixon Cup and Tucker Badges since the end of last season lost the trophy to a Woodville team on Saturday oy 20 to 18. The next challenging rink is from the Manawatu Club and the gamo will be played at Woodville on Saturday.' ■' ,;• :': " -,"■