BOWLING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 59, 6 October 1916, Page 3

BOWLING.

OPENING OF THE SEASCN. I (By Ditchgr.) ! On tlie occasion of tho opening of tho L 916-17 season of the Stiatford Bowling Club yesterday, when there was a very successful function, a short history of the game will not be. out of place. Bowls, as it is now known, is played on a specially-pre-pared lawn, or green, of no particular dimensions, hut in most clubs is of sufficient area to accommodate eight rinks, or spaces, each about twelve feet wide. Stratford green is 120 ft. square. The balls, cr bowls, are round to oval in shape, and have one side more "biassed" or roundel off, than the other. As early as 1191, bulls of stone were used in the earlier forms of the game, and this allusion has heen held to refer to bowls. At a later period, bowls was forbidden by several English Parliaments, whica had grown anxious about the decay for archery, and the evil reputation of tho howling alleys usually associated with taverns led to further restrictions. Henry VIII., it is said, broke his howls at Hampton Palace to amuse fair Anne Bolcyn, and the famous incident of Sir Francis Drake playing at Plymouth Hoe after the Spanish Armada had been sighted is popularly known and is probably authentic. Charles I was also an ardent bowler, and tradition has it that he was engaged in a game when arrested at a particular stage of his career.

The Modern Game. In course of time, however, the game was taken more seriously, especially in Scotland, which is recognised as the '-homo of the modern game. It was long ago felt that the game should |e made the subject of uniform laws, and rulos were formulated in 1893 by the Scottish Bowling Association* a society which bears much the same relation to bowls as the M.C.C. has to cricket, and the Royal and Ancient Club of St. Andrews to golf. The first year of the 20th century saw a visit to the Mother Country of a team of howlers from and New Zealand, who played against the strongest clubs hv the British Isles "with v!iry. T ing success. In order to adjust the points of difference . between • the colonial and British games, the Imperial Bowling Association, which was founded in 1899, issued a new code in 1901.

"Jack" and "Kitty."

Since then the.game has made marvellous progress': as a national pastime, and for those, more especially, who have never seen the inside of a bowling green or are just catching tho fever—for Bowls grips a.man of hospitable and social qualities and bijoadmindcuness like few other pastimes the reader will not be wearied with a short description. First of all, three competitions are played. There are singles, pairs, and a full rink (eight players, four on each side). The first player rolls the ) "jack," or, as it is more familiarly termed "kitty," to one end of the green. He stands on the mat provided for the purpose so as not to tear up the turf, and delivers Ids bowls alternately with his opponent. The object is to place his bowls nearer than his adversary's. One must .judge the distance with his eye, allow for the' bias on the bowl, circumvent the bowl of his opponent if it lies in his path, promote a short bowl of his own if occasion requires, run a hostile bowl out pf the way, and often (this is the particular duty of the third player or skip as a rule) put down his bowl with . plenty ol speed on in order to scatter the enemy's, while, again, he must be content with*laying a block or guard; the latter applies specially to a rink match, and a sport must be prepared to" efface himself, for Bowls suffers more than most games when an individualist has a place in a rink. Places and Duties. The first player in a rink ; s known as the leader, who is an allround man of some experience at .the game. It is his business-to throw "kitty" and to lead up to it. gaining if possible a position immediately be-•

hind the white ball. The second. player just does as he is told, and is known' as the "scorer," because he keeps the scores of the match. The third man is the' measurer, and he, too, has to do as he is told by the skip, or captain, who is chosen for the position because he is a player of great judgment and resource. He has to direct the play of the three men, and (this is very irapoitant) his instructions must be implicity obeyed. Ordinarily, a game is one of twen-ty-one heads, first from one end of the green and then the other, but so many "points up" is often arranged. It is hardly necessary jn to refer to the great popularity into which Bowls has sprung wf late. All over the British Empire especially, hundreds of clubs have sprung op, and here in Xew Zealand boroughs claim many clubs among the principal pastimes, and any township Worthy of the name is rapidly providing for the residents with an opportunity for a "roll up."

Oil the Green. Bowls is a great leveller of men. Successful business men and humble tradesmen,- fat : men and lean kind, men on the water waggon and the latest by-product of the. State, "■Jimmy \Yoodsers," .stand cheek by jowl on tho green and rub shoulders in the tea loom. The player is a democrat from the minute he takes his shoes off until he jumps into his motor for the homeward journey, leaving his erstwhile opponent to walk because to him motoring is a luxury. Bowls is really the "old boy's" game, and occupies the place in his mellow days that football did in the bygone salad times. All are in the pack at once! And it is well that this should be so, and that the sordid commercialism of everyday life should be left behind if only for the day, so that the enjoyment of the company of his fellow-men might develop the better side of his nature. Many friendships formed on the bowling green have brought much pleasure and life-long associations. STRATFORD'S OPENING.

Yesterday was Stratford Club's birthday. ,He was sixteen years old having first seen the light in the yeai 1900. Naturally, there was much stir in the home, and wine and tea taad' cakes, .were much in evidence. ■ Many, happy returns was on everyone's lips, and the youth's future progress was toasted! The Club has never had a more successful opening, or never, in its history has it held more promising prospects for a season. It will,[perhaps, surprise the general public to follow that the Club lias on it's Soffits 77 mombcis, comprised of 68 players, four life and five honorary members. The gathering yesterday afternoon was a sight for a bowler. Leading men of the town, accompanied by their wives or lady friends graced the precincts of the green. Towards the success of the day's proceedings the efforts of the ladies played no small part. Many of them are at heart keen bowlers, and quite a number have indulged in the pastime on ladies' day or on special occasions. Is there any reason why the fair sex—who, by the way, have so nobly done their part in the sterner duties of the War—should not share the pleasures of our sport as well as the monotony of duty? Matches among ladies are common in some communities —why not in Stratford? This is a matter that may well be left to the mature • consideration of the Club's well-ap-pointed general committee. The Club's Flag was unfolding itself to the gentle zephyrs at -two o'clock when about 100 persons foregathered on the green. It was noticeable amid the pleasant surroundings, that the sign "Welcome to 5.8. C." was prominent over tho tea room. The Club is to be congratulated on the healthy appearance of the property. The state of the green itself is well forward, and everything points to the fact that 'is the season progresses it will rival in condition the majority of Taranaki's bowling grounds. Several improvements have been, made since last season, chief of which, is the erection of a building as a store room, etc., separate from the bowl house, and the

planting of trees on the old croquet ground. * THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. Mr J. Masters, in officially opening the season, congratulated all present on having been blessed with such beautiful weather. He >vas very pleased to see so many ladies ana visitors present, and on behalf ot the Clul extended to them a hearty welcome. The President referred to the great amount of work that had been carried out by their caretaker (Mr McLean) since last season,' for which .i great deal of praise was due. It wa* a matte,- for congratulation that the Club had as caretaker a man who look an interest in the green apart •dtogether from the financial remuneration he received. The Green Warden (Mr Edgecombe) was also to he heartily thanked for his invaluable services. The opening w ;l s the third since the commencement of the Great War, and he was sorry to say the end wa, 'not yet. All would agree that notwithstanding the many sacrifices that had been made, they would have l,) see the thing through.—(Hear, hear). Many bowlers had their boys at the front, but none would ask that the? come back until we had beaten the' Gel-mans.— Applause). As to the prospects for the season, the Club appeared to be on a good green. They hid. several trophies to dispose of, chief among which was the Curtis' trophy, carrying with it a medal, which this year was presented by Mr S. M. Porritt, than whom no man in tho district had done more for the sport; there were also two pairs ol bowls to be played for, and a bowler's bag. There would be many ' local competitions, and, further, there was the Bahher,'- wljich this year would be competed..for, hr ; sections as follows: Now Ply mouth, West End, Inglewood and Waitara in one' section .; Stratford, Eltham, and Hawera ie the second ; and Pihama, Opunake, Manaia, and Oroua as the third. His opinion was that Banner matches should not interfere with friendly games. One and all should play together so as to ensure the enjoyment of all.

Mr Masters concluded by declaring the green officially open, ami called on Mrs Masters to "throw the jack." The white ball being well and truly thrown, a match. President v. Vicepresident, was then commenced, the result being a tie. THE SCORES. Veale, T. C. Fookes, Lambie, Skoglr.nd is\ 22; v. Woodhead, Lyons, Garter, Gs#Wlfe. /A '' '. • Paget. W. Splice/- Morton. W. Lambie (s), 27: v. Fuge, Richardson, Xoith, Christie (s) PL Webb, Butler, Cronin. Morison (s), 2)*; v. Sanderson, Riera, Jackson, Snngster (s), 1(5. Campbell, Foley, Christie, Smart is), 23; v. Were, Moore, Hartley, Sharp 's), 8. Tichbon. S. Spence, Bieke.rton, Avmitage (s) 12: v. J. Butcher, Young, Luscombe, Harrison (s),-20. Walters, Barnard, G. Curtis, J. Masters (s), 15; v. J. Mills, Biggs, Howe, Parkinson (s), 30. Hooper, Ward, Leversedgc, McMillan (s\ 18; v. .1. S. McDonald, J. McKay, P, J. McDonald, W. McDonald (s\, 21. H. Masters, Lightfoot, C. L. Grant, Halpin (s) 17: v. Kirk, Corkill, Phillips, Bollard (s) 30.' THE WIND-UP. On behalf of the visitors, who came from Now Plymouth, Inglewood, Eltham, Hawera, Pihama, and Manaia, Mr Parkinson (Hawera) briefly returned thanks for the hospitality extended to them, and wished the Stratford Club a successful and enjoyable season' Cheers all round concluded the afternoon's proceedings. The sum of £2 Gs was -oIK-tvl for the Wounded Soldiers' Fund.