ON THE GREEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 78, 23 June 1927, Page 7

ON THE GREEN

Bowls and Bowlers

(By JACK HIGH)

BRITISH BOWLERS’ VISIT “We were given civic receptions almost everywhere we visited, but New Zealand was the only country where we were welcomed b> a Government. In one place we were given the ‘freedom of the city.’ A member of our party inquired as to whether this meant that the members of our team were immune from arrest. He was told that such was the case. It was certainly true that we were immune ‘from a rest in New Zealand.' ” 66 The above paragraph is from a recently published book entitled “With the First British Bowling Team to Visit Australia and New Zealand.” New Zealand bowlers will be much interested to hear the impressions our British visitors of last year carried away with them from these shores. The narrator says: “We were handed two programmes soon after our arrival one the general programme and itinerary for the whole tour in New Zealand and +he other for our stay in Auckland. From the latter we saw at once that we were in for an extremely busy time, as during our four days’ stay we were to play no less than six matches. “We understood that bowling was a kind of national game in New Zealand, and Auckland was one of its strongest centres; so that, it we could manage to beat Auckland, we had some hope of winning games in other parts of New Zealand. However, we were doomed to failure, ac the standard of play of our opponents was Very high. “The Auckland portion of our tour was the most strenuous part, but we enjoyed every minute of it We were much struck with the fine sporting spirit of the bowlers in this city, who, it seemed, bestowed more applause after a successful British shot than was accorded to their own representatives. We heartily endorsed our Mr. Husband’s remark that, after the splendid time we had had in Australia, it would be invidious to particularise between towns, but we certainly liked Auckland.'’ STRENUOUS NEW ZEALANDERS The reference to Christchurch says: “We were delighted with our reception. The warmth was far beyond what we expected to receive. It was a change to find this in a city calling itself English—incidentally most of our team were Scottish. However, it was always found that where an Englishman had something worth going after, the Scot went af'er it, and was most tenacious when he got hold of it. "It was not necessary for a bowler to have a girth of 43 inches, as the Mayor of Christchurch i.ugrgested. Most of the members of tht? team proved that, although some did ttieir best to make up for the deficiency. At any rate, no man could retain his 43 inches and play in the Dominion tournament. “We were not there to complain of the strenuous way they play the game. We had seen the Rugby footballers, and the bowlers use much the same metnods as the footballers. Captain Wr : ght expressed the opinion that the strenuous manner of play took away some of the pleasures.” THE DOMINION TOURNAMENT “The Dominion tournament was run on a far greater scale t’.iar. anything we were accustomed to in the Old

Country. . Sixteen greens were employed, and the number of entries in the singles competition was 256, in the pairs 234, and in the rinks 134. “Playing in the tournament was a far more? strenuous affair than we had been used to. Had our leum known the conditions under which it was conducted I hardly think so many would have entered. Most of us were under the impression that the competitions were all played on the ‘knock out’ principle, and not on the American system. It meant eight days’ real hard bowling, with a possibility of four games in the singles competition on the first day, and four on the second; two rink games of 25 ends each day for the following four days, and five pairs games on the following Monday and Tuesday, to say nothing of the chance of having tD play later on in one or more of the final stages. “We much admired the clockworklike precision in which the tournament was conducted. An elaborate programme was prepared, giving very full instructions to every competitor, which obviated any possibility of a mistake I hardly think, however, that the system of tournament adopted in New Zealand will ever become popular in the Old Country. As one of our team remarked: ‘lt is too much like hard work.’ AUCKLAND SCENERY ADMIRED The writer says: “It is not within my province or ability to describe the magnificent scenery through which we passed during cur tour of New Zealand, but I remember particularly the motor drive to Takapuna, via Birkenhead. This impressed us very much, and we agreed that Auckland earns her proud tide of the “Queen City of the North.” Captain Wright adds: “On behalf of our team I should like to place on record our deep appreciation of the warm welcome afforded us, and of the splendid hospitality extended to us during our whole tour We had been led to expect a great reception, but the enthusiasm and Kindness we received were indeed a revelation to us, and once more proved that bowlers are brothers the world over.” And adds: “I would like to thank the officials of the various bcwling organisations with which wo came in contact for the splendid arrangements made for our comfort, also for the great consideration shown to us by permitting us to play in our own way, although not always in strict accordance with their own rules. This was typical of the splendid feeling which was evident throughout the whole tour, and was one of the chief causes of making our visit so thoroughly enjoyable.” CENTRE’S ANNUAL REPORT The Auckland Centre’s annual report for the season just ended discloses a year brimful of activity. The social bowling functions covered are the Taranaki visit and- the visiting New South Wales president's touring team. The long list of centre tournaments, coupled with the Dominion tournament held this year in Auckland, made the year one of the very fullest character. The centre executive deserves the warmest thanks of all Auckland bowlers for its untiring and enthusiastic work. The advent of six new cuubs this year shows a remarkably healthy growth. Two items on the annual balance sheet are worthy of interest—the club levies, £285, and the general expenses, £305. It will be observed that the centre is not paying current expenses

out of the aforementioned amount Other expenses were £320. The healthy sum of £ 364 was gained from tournament entries. These four items show obviously that the financing of the centre is far from being a matter of the combined clubs’ burden, and that the tournaments are sharing a large portion of the expenses.