ON THE GREEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 60, 2 June 1927, Page 12

ON THE GREEN

Bowls and Bowlers

(By

JACK HIGH)

Last week, in this column, it was pointed out that a wide field of excellent possibilities existed in the annual meeting of delegates, to take place on the 27th inst.. which could be fully exploited in the collective interests of the clubs in the Auckland Centre, and the welfare of bowling generally. Mr. James Pascoe, president of the Auckkmd Centre, when approached upon the subject, extended a hearty invitation to every individualbowler in the Auckland Centre to immediately come forward with any constructive suggestions that would make for the collective advancement of the clubs and the mutual welfare of bowling in the future. Mr. Pascoe pointed out that the Centre Executive most anxiously looked for co-operation in this respect by the rank and file of the sport. Of course, he emphasised, that the correct procedure for individual bowlers to approach the Centre Executive, was through their respective club delegates. But even this formal method need not necessarily be used. Suggestions would most gratefully bo welcomed straight from individual bowlers. In fact, it was strongly urged in future that the central organisation should become more freely vised than it had been in the past. If it was necessary to call special meetings of delegates to consider the questions that can so readily be brought forward, the meetings would be called. He sincerely hoped that there would bo many, as they would surely point to the progression of bowling in Auckland.

This pronouncement effectively buries the accusation which has oft times been levelled at the Centre Executive: that it is a close organisation. And at the same time it clearly involves a personal responsibility upon every individual player, that he is just as intimately concerned in the general progress of bowling in Auckland as the president of the Auckland Centre himself. THE SUVA CARNIVAL The annual Suva Bowling Carnival opens on July 9, and will last for ten days. This event is of prominence to Auckland players for two reasons; firstly, that some of our players usually participate, and secondly that it provides the necessity for Australian bowlers to call at Auckland on the way to and from Suva. The occasion is taken full advantage of by Auckland bowlers to renew old acquaintances and make fresh ones with the more recent visitors to that carr ival.

Last year the visitors were welcomed to Auckland by prominent bowlers of Auckland. This year the dates that the steamer arrives here are July 5 and August 14. No doubt the happy functions of past years will be repeated again this year. As in Auckland, bo\vls can be played in Fiji all the year round, as Fiji has no winter. The Suva Club has nearly one hundred members, and welcomes most heartily any player from overseas.

The second carnival in 1926 was a huge success. It attracted no fewer than 70 bowlers from New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and New Zealand. The South Seas Pennant was won by a South Australian team, after a spirited contest. The rink championship was won by a Suva team, skipped by J. H. M. Millett. The contest provided many thrilling and exciting episodes. THE WEST END CLUB

The West End Club completed its summer fixtures last Saturday. The full list of winners is;—Champion singles, Mr. J. Hoskings; champion pairs, Messrs. G. Kirkham and A. Thomson; runners-up, Messrs. IL Carnwall and Irving Clarke; handicap pairs, Messrs. G. Medium and W. Nox; percentage fours, Messrs. J. Hilford, R. G. Cox, A. G. Plummer and R. H. Scott. Mr. Scott is a prominent Dunedin player who has taken up residence in Auckland. For some twenty years past he has been a competitor in Dominion championship competitions. This is his first win since coming to Auckland. The runners-up in the per-

centage fours competitiom are Messrs. J. Hardy, W. Thomas, J. May, I. Clarke. Mr. H. Horsley -won the Walter Reid trophy. This is an unusual competition. It is giv'en to the player who has the largest number of wins in every recognised competition that is played in the clulx It also has another prominent feature, that Mr. Walter Reid gave £SO to the club io be placed on fixed deposit. The prize money is obtained from the amount that acrues from that money through interest. The Andrew Cup wujs won by Mr. A. Thomas; runner-up, Mr. R. G. Cox. This is a drawing competition only. Circular pieces of canvas measuring lft., 2ft. and 3ft., are pinned on to the green and the contestants compote in their ability in placing the bov Is on the canvas circles. The popular president: of West End is to be congratulated ooi having won two events this year. Mr. R. G. Cox does not aspire to brilliance in the game. His main interest: is developing the fullest club life among the members of the West End Club. As a tribute to his work in this respect be has had the honour of being elected president for two years in succession. In respect to splendid workers, this club is very forturtate. It would be hard to discriminate between the officers of the club. However, the treasurer, Mr. H. Horfeley, has done splendid work in arranging an effective scheme of finance, and is considered a most valuable officer of his club. Mr. W. Cooke, who was secretary of the club for many years, also is deserving of mention. As a tribute to his services he has been made a life member of West End Club. This honour, which has been extended to few, includes also Messrs. John Court, A. C. Tonkin and the late Mr. Weatherilt. The West End Club is a most popular and successful club. The finances are in a most flourishing condition, and the membership almost up to the limit. KING’S BIRTHDAY TOURNAMENTS

For the last three years the King’s Birthday holiday has been wet in Auckland and a number of tournaments have begn arranged and not played. On account of this, Carlton, which is usually so succesful with entries in one-day tournaments, h. s decided to abandon any attempt this year. A number of other clubs will try their luck, however. The chief of these is Mount Eden. Twenty excellent teams have entered under the following skips:—Sissons (Waitemata). Traves (Mount Eden), Finlay (Mount Eden), Marshall (Mount Eden), Norcross (Henderson), Baker (Mount Eden), Warren (Carlton), Bourke (Mount Eden), Bates (Carlton), Nairn (Mount Eden), Vuglar (Remuera), Quin ("West End), Leighton (Henderson), Kelly (Ponsonby), Fraser (Mount Eden), Elliott (Mount Eden). Hoskings (Carlton), and Brown (Waitemata). If the weather is kind this year there should be some excellent contests. The Dominion Road Club’s contestants are as follow:—Kelly, Bush, Benson, Hollows, Brown, Deakin (Dominion Road); Brooks (Avondale), Francis (Mount Albert), Farrow (Ponsonby), Moir (Auckland), Parsons (Ponsonby), Cook (Henderson), *J. McKelvie (Ellerslie), Ramsay, Denison, Sayers, Gifford, Layland, Carstens (Dominion Road), and Bremner (West End). VETERANS MEET A very interesting game of bowls was played on the Mount Albert green yesterday in beautiful weather between two teams of veterans. The teams consisted of Messrs. Pearson, Amoore. Horsley and Cossey (skip), of Mount Albert Club, and Messrs. Ferguson, Bathgate, Gentles and Brown (skip), of Dominion Road Club. The combined age of the Mount Albert four was 310 years and that of Dominion Road 286 years. The game resulted in a win for Mount Albert, the scores being. Mount Albert 24, Dominion Road 11. The game was enjoyed immensely by the veteran players, and especially so by Mr. Cossey, the Mount Albert veteran skip, who is 81 years of age. There is no doubt the game of bowls makes an old man feel young again.