INDOOR BOWLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 191, 2 November 1927, Page 12

INDOOR BOWLS

“HAS COME TO STAY” THE GAME IN AUCKLAND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES KEEN “Indoor bowling in Auckland has come to stay,” said Mr. W. H. Drew, president of the F.S. Indoor Bowling Association on Monday night, at a special meeting held by the Hope of Eden Tent of Rechabites. About 16 years ago, Bro. H. H. Skinner, of Hope of Auckland Tent, 1.0. R-, when on a visit to Melbourne, saw the game of carpet bowls played, and was so interested in the game as he saw it played in that city, that, upon his return to Auckland, he described the game to members of the order and induced them to take it up. MADE FROM TI TREE The first set of bowls was turned by Bro. John Ewan, of Archhill. They were made out of ti-tree wood and were round, about the size of a very large marble, the bias being obtained by loading the bowls with a disc of lead. These original bowls are now . in possession of the Star of Cambridge Rechabite Tent. In those days the games were confined to players from Hope of Auckland and Hope of Eden Tents, and some exciting contests were . held. Other tents took up the game; j invitations were extended to members of other orders to participate, and the innovation proved a good one. The desire to play the game spread, until to-day almost every friendly society hits its teams of playing members. From the round ti-tree bowl there evolved a better type, made locally from lignum vital wood, some round, others with a bias. In turn, these j bowls gave place to the first-class bowls made by Taylor-Rolfe, and specially imported for the game. Carpets, six feet in width and varying from lii to 22 feet in length, spread on the floor, form the “green” for the purpose of the game. ASSOCIATION FORMED The game of bowls has taken on to such an extent among friendly society members that frequent interchange of visits between branches of the various orders has culminated in ! the formation of an association to further foster the game and encourage ! the friendly spirit. The first tournament promoted by the association was a distinct success. ! Twenty-four full rink teams, representing five different societies, took part. The games were played in the Orange Hall. Newton Road, on Saturday. September 10. and Saturday, September 17. The tournament was conducted on similar lines to the outdoor game, and keen interest was taken and some very fine play took place, games of seven heads being played. In A section, Hope of Eden Rechabites A team tied with Birkenhead i Foresters and Hope of Eden Recha- j bites' B team won the B section. The ! play off in A section resulted in a win for the Rechabites, thus leaving the | final game of 21 heads to be played ; between the two teams of Hope of ; Eden Tent, 1.0. R. The game resulted ; in a win. after a keenly-contested struggle, for the A team. As often happens the decision resled with the ! coming to ground of the last bowl of the final head. Trophies were presented at the Hope of Eden Tent meeting on Monday night by the president of the Association, Bro. W. H. Drew', who said “that indoor bowling had come to us, and it had come to stay and will spread. It was a realisation of the vision of days gone by, that something would take place to bring friendly societies closer together. That has been accomplished by the game of bowls. Members of different orders gather together in their various lodge rooms, with no divisions between them. The game of bowls is bringing friendly societies together.” He then presented miniature silver cups, suitably engraved, to the winners of the full rink tournament. Bros. D. M. A. Bodley, George Clark, IT. J. Baker and R. B. Brodie and trophies were awarded to the runnersup, Bros. K. Francis (nine years old), F. Chester, J. McPherson and L. S. Francis. Bro. Clark (director of A team) and Francis responded. A PAIRS TOURNAMENT The success of the full rink tournament has been so great that requests have been made for a pairs tournament: 35 teams have responded, and the competitions will take place in the Orange Hall. Xewton Road, on the afternoons of Saturday, November 5, anrl 12th, when some good games are expected. The Rechabite Order conducts a bowling tournament among members of its own branches, a singles tournament having been recently completed. The chairman of the committee, Bro. A. Jenkin. presented a. silver cup, donated by Bro. R. Wilson, for annual competition; also a handsome diningroom clock to the winner, Bro. R. B. Brodie, and a case of silver spoons to the runner-up, Bro. G. F. Day. Incidentally, it was mentioned that the A and B teams of Hope of Eden Tent are in the leading positions for the Pascoe Cup tournament, the final game of which takes place at Hope of Otahuhu Tent meeting on Thursday, November 10. Four greens w'ere spread for play and some keen games took place. Official full rink games were played between the executive. Bros. W. H. Drew (A.0.F.). F. A. Harris (L.0.E.), A. Jenkin (1.0. R.), O. F. Day (1.0. R.), and a team from Hope of Eden Tent, Bros. D. M. A. Bodley, George Clark. J. McPherson. L. S. Francis. The total scores for two seven head games . were 17 all.