EXPERT ATTENTION TO BOWLING GREENS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 66, 9 June 1927, Page 11

EXPERT ATTENTION TO BOWLING GREENS

THE SUN SCORES It is pleasing to note the wide attention that has been given by the Press of the Dominion to the proposals advanced in these columns for better playing surfaces. The publicity given by our fellow contemporaries is of good educational value, but must only be regarded as such. The question of expert attention on bowling greens must go further than that. It must come direct from the clubs themselves right through to the centre executive. It is too important to remain only as propaganda. From time to time, it has been pointed out that the centre body has no power to interfere with the government of the clubs, and that nevertheless there was a pressing invitation extended to bring forward proposals embodying in their nature the collective concern of the clubs. The opportunity for this purpose is presented at the annual meeting of delegates on June 28. It is earnestly requested by’ the president, Mr. Pascoe, that the possibilities of this meeting be fully explored in this respect. AUCKLAND GREENS COMPARED This vital question of expert attention to bowling greens should be a first consideration, as adopted in Melbourne. Mr. Victor Casey, who has an intimate knowledge of the success of this specialised attention there, states that he has played on greens in Canada, Great Britain, South Africa, New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand, and, with the exception of some Glasgow greens, there is nothing to compare with them anywhere else in the world. At the same time the fine surfaces are not confined to a few clubs, but a bowler can go on to any green, 20 if he pleases, and find true, keen greens of the most finished character, which are a delight to play on. This is not the experience in Auckland. If, says Mr. Casey, Auckland players want an indication of the surfaces in Melbourne they would need to hark back to the time when Devonport was at its best. There are no greens in Auckland at the present time that can compare with those of Melbourne. It may be accurately contended that, if bowling is to make rapid strides, the first question is the scientific treatment of greens as suggested above. UNIFORMITY IN RULES Recently, at the Caledonian Club in Dunedin, Mr. D. M. Fastier, a member of the Dominion Council, made reference to the lack of uniformity of rules, and stated that the council had been in communication with Australia, Canada, South Africa and England, with the object, if possible, of forming an international board. He thought

that little fault could be found with the rules governing the game in New Zealand. The present council had added little to and had detracted little from the rules. If the rules were made too cumbersome it would be at the expense of the sociability of the game. In view of the wide variation in rules governing the game throughout the world, it will be good news to those fortunate players who travel to many lands, that there is a definite attempt to unify’ the rules of bowling. But more important still, it shows that there is a strong move being made to form the International Board, which was proposed by Mr. J. Scott, president of the New South Wales Bowling Association. The matter of rules may be regarded as the first important step in this direction. TOURNAMENTS On King’s Birthday various tournaments were played on the many club greens that are favoured with winter greens. The day’ proved an exceptionally brilliant winter day and the greens, which are always recognised as keen in the winter season, played well. The Onehunga and Dominion Road greens have vastly improved in comparison to what they were. At Onehunga there was some brilliant bowling. It is notable that the two teams left to contest the final are exceptionally strong. The teams comprise I. Lyell, Hardie Neil, T. Brack£bush, M. Walker (Auckland) and H. Roylance, .W. Jenkin, H. Jenkin. H. Clarke. Brackebush and Walker are the Dominion pairs champions and H. Clarke, the Dominion singles champion. M. Walker is back into his exceptionally brilliant form again and H. Clarke can always be relied upon for a sterling exhibition. If the day is fine, the final game should prove a great contest of skill. The Dominion Road tournament winner is to be found out of Bremner and Parsons, two past Dominion champions. It is noteworthy that EL Bush, quite an unknown Dominion Road player, proved conclusively that he possessed playing qualities of brilliance. At Mount Albert the winning team was found in Yeo, Newton, Eugleton, Milner (Rocky Nook). The final between Bourke (Mount Eden) and Hosking (Carlton) will be play'ed on Saturday next for the winners of the Mount Eden tournament. The final of the Epsom tournament was fought out between Lewis, Clarke, Taylor, Jenkin (Epsom) and Sidley, Farley, Pearce, Keatley (Rocky Nook) with the latter team as winners. It will be noted that the Rocky Nook Club was successful in two tournaments, Epsom and Mount Albert, and that H. Clarke has a good fighting chance to bring home the third win for his club. .The Mount Eden team, Delamore, Elliott, James, Smith and Duncan Fraser, is establishing a good showing in the Edwin Stars competition. The team has retained the Stars for three Saturday’s in succession, meeting some

very fine teams in the contests. On Saturday next, Bates, Dearl, Kilgour, Fookes, of Carlton, will dispute with the holders their right to retain them. Both teams are strong and the game should be an exceptionally good one.