ON THE GREEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 4, 26 March 1927, Page 24 (Supplement)

ON THE GREEN

Bowls and Bowlers

THE GAME IN AUCKLAND With a club membership over five thousand strong, the Auckland province leads the Dominion in bowling. The following article deals with the wonderful progress of the game, with special reference to the part played by the veterans.

It seems most fitting and opportune that in opening this column to the great army of bowlers in Auckland province, reference should be made to the Auckland Veterans’ Association. For is it not to the veterans that the wonderful prominence now enjoyed by the sport in this province is largely due? It must be a source of great pride and pleasure to these stalwarts of bowling that, they can look back over the years and trace the steady growth to the present successful position. For is it not a widely admitted fact that to-day Auckland enjoys the proud position of having more bowlers in proportion to her population than any other place in the world? This seems ,a big statement to make. Nevertheless, it is quite true. To have attained this success is a brilliant achievement —a notable triumph—and the honours go to the veterans. It was through their wisdom, early guidance and enthusiasm that this place has been won. For some ten years now, the Veterans’ Association has held an annual one-day tournament on the Auckland Club’s fine property. This year the fixture was held on March 4. The necessary qualification for players taking part in this event is to have been 21 years a bowler or the attainment of the ripe old age of 70 summers. The day proved an unqualified success. A total of 88 players took part in the tournament. Luncheon and afternoon tea were provided. The

whole function fittingly provided a delightful opportunity to renew many old associations, an opportunity which was taken full advantage of by all those present. A Remarkable Record. One outstanding and novel feature of the tournament was in respect to the ages of players in two rinks, which established a record worthy of interest. The first rink totalled in round figures no fewer than 664 years. It was skipped by Messrs D. Dingwall and A. Gerring. The second, skipped by Messrs G. H. Brooks and James Gilmour, reached 645 years. Such a record speaks well for the health-sus-taining qualities of the game of bowls, and, at the same time, provides an incentive to our men of mature years to take up the game, if only for health reasons alone. In reviewing participants of this desirable tournament, it is most interesting to note the large number of players who have worked individually, , fr long and well, to place the game in the prominent position that it holds to-day in Auckland. Most of these men have now unfortunately dropped out of prominent executive positions, but their names have been written indelibly on the early history of the sport. The first in priority of position is Mr. James Carlaw, the present secretary of the Veterans’ Association. Mr. Carlaw was treasurer of the old Auck-

land Provincial Bowling Association which afterwards became the Auckland Centre when the Dominion Bowling Association was formed. He occupied this position for some nine years. At the same time he was treasurer of the Auckland Bowling Club and had a term as president of that fine club. Mr. S. Coldicutt, now vice-president of the Auckland Centre, has been a player for 26 years. During that time he has been in office no less than 21 years in the Auckland Club, including IS years as secretary and two years as president. Sixty-five Years a Bowler. Mr. D. Dingwall has been a bowler for 65 years, and was an original member of the Auckland Club. It is worthy of interest to note that Air. Dingwall was 17 years of age when he joined this club. Although much has been said in recent years in respect to the younger men capturing the sport, it may be stated with certainty that it is not on record that lads of 17 years of age are found in the ranks of bowlers to-day. Air. M. MeCallum is a veteran of prominence. Besides being a strong tournament player, he has done yeoman work on the administrative side of the game. Until three years ago Air. McCallum’s name figured largely on the Dominion Council of the N.Z.B.A. His strong interest and enthusiasm in the sport is worthy of great respect and appreciation. Air. John Bouskill is a name very highly respected in bowling circles. He served a term as president of the Auckland Centre and also on the executive of that body. At the same time his name is linked up in every bowler’s mind with the progress of the famous Rocky Nook Club. Air. A. Hegman, now of Remuera,, was three years secretary of his present club, and prior to that he held a similar position for seven years in the Auckland Club. Air. Alf. Coutts is a player to be reckoned with in any team at the present day. He was in Air. Truscott’s team (Carlton), which won the Christmas tournament, and which did so well at the recent Rotorua tournament. Air. O. Nicholson is a patron of Alt. Eden Club, and past president of the Auckland Club.

Mr. R. H. McCallum, green superintendent of the Devonport Club, is as keen an enthusiast as ever. Mr. Harry Kent, of Carlton, had much to do in making that club the great success that it is to-day. Mr. J. Stitchbury was a foundation member of Ponsonby. Mr. A. Gerring, secretary of the Howick Club, has held that position for many years now. Mr. James Gilmour has been for over 35 years a bowler of prominence and has served on the Auckland Club’s executive. Started Game in Matamata. Mr. W. O. Garland practically intro- • duced bowling in Matamata on a private green before any club was formed there. Mr. B. Buttle has been for a quarter of a century a member of the Auckland Club. He held the office of secretary for a short period. Mr. J. Thornes, now of Carlton, was for a term president of the Auckland Club. Mr. A. Hooper, now of Takapuna. had quite a lot to do with the successful foundation of the Mt. Eden Club. Mr. E. J. Christie is the popular patron of the Grey Lynn Club. Mr. Fred Prime has been for a quarter of a century a bowler. He has held executive positions in the Auckland Club. Mr. J. Coe was a worthy worker in the interests of the Mt. Eden Club in the old days. Mr. P. Wyatt has been a prominent tournament player for many years now. He is connected with a famous bowling family known throughout the Dominion. Mr. H. Brooks also belongs to a notable bowling family. About 1895 the Brooks' family full rink was known far and wide. Mr. Kew Harty is a well-known past officer of Devonport. Mr. Chas. Hudson is a prominent Mt. Eden worker and past president. Mr. J. V. Dingle is famous for his victory in annexing the single-handed championship at s Crystal Palace. London. Mr. J. Veal, sen., is an old Ponsonby executive officer. Mr. T. H. Ashton, now of Remuera, has had much to do with the early history of Mount Eden Club. Mr. W. Culpan, over 55 years a

bowler, is a member of the Si This completes a splendid lu* workers which will appeal to bowlers. How the Game Has Spread. It must fire the enthusiasm ofu, past workers to note the marked n?* !| gress made in Auckland provin Ce Pr °' « to tlie present day. The folio*,” 11 1 figures will at the same time come |§ a pleasant surprise to the avev** 5 Ilf bowler. p There are three bowling centres it the Auckland Province—the Auckks II Centre, the South Auckland Cem I and the Gisborne Centre. These 1 tres govern the affairs of 93 cluh W These clubs have individual club prrf perties. ranging in value from £s?.' p the lowest, to about £ 9,000, the hie'' est. which in the aggregate make n the sum of many thousands of poim/ t? in value. The Auckland proving membership comprises no fewer th--5.125 bowlers—over one-third of th I membership of the Dominion. year in the Auckland Centre alon* (the final figures from the other tw* centres not yet being available), the*v is the healthy increase of no ’ f ew l! than 280 players. The value of the bowls used by the present players* allowing the moderate estimate of £ & - f per set. would make up the big SU J| of £25,725. These figures alone speak volumes for the management in th e past, the government at the present time, and the possibilities to be explored in the future.