BOWLING.

Shannon News, 21 October 1924, Page 3

BOWLING.

The holders Qf Vb® Mangahao Ferns, Mr RQajeh'.s, rink, will defend a chai- ! lenge on the local green oil WednesI day next from Mr 'i rott's rink, fr.om j the Palmers ton Nbrfch Club. The I locafl rink will consist of Clayton, 1 Whibiey, Shannon, and ROach (skip). The local rink has already successfully defended it on three occasions. The game will arquse. a i°t Ql interest, among local bowlers;, ;as l 6 Voider at the time of the turning on oi the power becomes the owner, of the trophy, therefore the local rink will be all out tQ retain it, as should they lose there wiH he very little time leu. hefoire the juice is turned 'on, for them to challenge again. Mr Jas. Murray, secretaay of the Shannon Co-op-Dairy Co. left Shannon yesterday on a holiday visit to tTe Puke.

•Mrs Merwood, of Ball an oe Street, who has been an inmate of the Palmars ton NjOrth hospital for some weeks, returned home on Saturday, much improved in health.

BOWLING. FOXTON GREEN OPENED. On Wednesday, the Foxton Green was opened by the president, Mr J. M. Barr. The gathering was probably a re- ! ooii'd for the occasion in tiie history i of the Club, a feature being the large number of lady visitors present, a good many Qf whom were croquet players, from, adjacent clubs. Mr Barr made reference to lasi, year's Triangular contest and the remarkable margin of one point which, separated the winners (Foxton Club) from the runners-up (Shannon), Levin being only a. few points behind. Tne speaker facetiously- remarked lie believed Shapnon and Levin had made up their minds to relieve Foxton Club of this trophy this season, but, he assured, them the,y would have to "gq some" to attain that purpose. The green was in good playing order, and a thoroughly enjoyable aijjemoon Was spent. ',- The following are the details of play;— Shannon: Watterston, Aim, Spencer, Murray (s), td§; Takaro: Stone, Clark, Gallachan, Morgan (s) 23. Levin: Tait, Walker, Ryder, Pyke (s), 30; Foxton: Mattar, Nixon/ Thomson, Christie (s),' 13. Foxton: McGregor, vPejarson, Walker, Smith (s), 20; Shannon.: Gunning, Cronquest Roach, Clayton (s), 17.

Terrace End; Skinner, Oliver, Wallace, Davidson (s) t 31; Foxton: Spring, Winstanley, Wilkes, Admore (s), li. Levin; Pink, Newth, Hawkq, Suhan (s), 20; Foxton; Parkes, Jtiollings, Woods, Barr (s), 17. Northern: Weavers, StaJlard, Rumble, Cunningham (s), 20; Foxton: Healey Dowries, McKeown, Huntley (s), 16." A tasty ialternoon tea, presided over by the todies, was dispensed ana fully enjoyed by aU present. At the conclusion of play, Mr Sulian on behalf ot the visitors., thauked the home club lor the very enjoyable afternoon's -play, and alter calling for cheers for the ladies, which were lustily given, also called fox a similar compliment to Foxton bowlers.

Season 1924-25 has begun. Not very auspiciously, so far as weather is concerned, but certainly. Inexorable Father, Time, who keeps us moving steadily through all types of experiences, and who has rolled up, docketed and filed away, for reference only, ai the seasons that have gone, has commenced his inevitable proceeding with this. Let us make the most of it. Let us enjoy it while it is with us. Bowls is a lovely game. It recreates, in the best meaning of the word. It stimulates. It is an exercise, during the performance of which '-the cares that infest the day fold their tents, like the Arabs, and as silently steal away." A successful bowling club is a real asset to any community. Apart from the addition to the beauty spots of any town a Well-kept green is, bowls is a recreation that not only physically benefits the players, but is an important factor in removing class misunderstandings. Employee meets employer in equality as well as friendly rivalry on the green, and this intimacy does more than could any amount of written propaganda or platform oratory. Scarcely too much stress can be laid in these days of social unrest on opportunities available for better knowledge of the other fellow's viewpoint, such as gaththe green provide, as although politics and similar topics may not be directly discussed, men become better known personally, and thus less bitterness is likely between the parties during the ordinary's day,'s routine. Bow|s is no longer a pastime '' whose principal votaries (to quote the Encyclopaedia Britannica) are middle-aged and elderly persons to whom it affords a pleasant and not too vehement -estercise during the summer evenings. Many young men are becoming enthusiastic bowlers, and the number of dubs and greens annually increases. To- day the only complaints (not altogther unjustifiable) about the excessive zeal for bowls comes from housewives, whose family meals are delayed through the attractions of the green. However, the usual beneficial effects of the game on the masculine temperament probably supplies the patient wife with adequate compensation. This aspect is, of course, a minor matter (except to the parties directly concerned). The point I wish to stress is that bowls is something more than a the benefits derived do. not begin and end on the green. Therefore, the success of a club is for the general good. The failure of a bowling club would denote failute of good fellowship in a community, and no district can progress without good fellowship. The 1924-25 season has now been launched locally. Generally speaking, the clubs, except Manawatu, had unf favourable weather for the opening J days and the pleasure afforded by these functions was considerably marred. 1 So far the centre has not held its an-

nual meeting. This should be arranged for very soon now and trips to other centres drawn up. A deal of pleasure can be gained by visits between centres. Several matches planned by th'e Palmerton centre last season did not eventuate and these might be arranged to take place this year. Mr. James Muir has given notice that he will move at next meeting of the Wellington Bowling Centre: (1) "That it bo a recommendation to the Council that the offer made by the Council in 1919 to provide accommodation for the visiting bowlers from the TJniieu Kingdom in the homes of our leading bowlers throughout the Dominion bo renewed." (2) "That it be a recommendation to the Council of the Dominion Bowling Association that a verbatim shorthand report be made of the proceedings at the general meetings of the Council, and afterwards copies of same be circulated amongst all affiliated centres."

Visitors to the Wellington Glub notice ! that a vast amount of improvement work has been carried out in the parent club's property (says a Wellington paper). The lower green has been largely returfed and should provide an improved playing area. The ditches have been widened to 18 inches and filled to a depth of four inches with- pebbles. This is a new departure so far as New Zealand greens are concerned, but one that is followed "on., many of the principal greens in England and Scotland. Certainly it adds to the .general appearance of the greens. The formation of the banks is also on lines not usual here. A supporting board has b'een placed on the edge in the ditches, the tops beings an inch or so below the ( level of the green, and is bevelled off 1 on the inner side to receive the bottom edge of the slightly sloping bank turf. This should keep the banks from springing outward, as generally happens when they arc constructed without support at the base. The banks of both greens are of uniform height (}6in), and on the portions where there is another bank above movable steps arc provided to give access to the playing area. A constant source of trouble to a greenkceper is the difficulty in keeping the ditches clean, remarks " Trundler'' in the Auckland Star. Some adopt the plan ofputting the grass clippings in the ditch, but if they are put in thick enough to keep the bowls clean they soon become a bit of a nuisance, from a perfumery point of view. Others let the grass grow long in the ditches, and then they suddenly find that it is getting underneath th'e edge, and coarse grass from the bank is on the green. So they grub it out again, and leave the ditches "clean," unfortunately causing the bowls to be the very reverse. Writing from England, Mr. R. J. Allely, of the Albert Club, note s that they are very careful about this in the Old, Country. The ditches are. all filled in, to three inches from the level, with smooth round pebbles, about the size of Avalnuts, or else they have gratings of wood laid in, to keep the bowls clean. Mr. Allely thinks it is an excellent idea and it is quite effective in its purpose.