THERE ARE 2,000 INDOOR BOWLERS IN AUCKLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 683, 7 June 1929, Page 6

THERE ARE 2,000 INDOOR BOWLERS IN AUCKLAND

CEW people connected with sport realise the * phenomenal progress the game of indoor howls has made in Auckland in recent years. A total of 36 teams will compete in the annual rink tournament of the Auckland Friendly Societies Indoor Bowling Association, which opens at the Drill Hall, Ponsonby, tomorrow; but even this record entry represents but a fraction of the total number of club players in Auckland.

It is estimated by the president of the association that there are 2,000 players of indoor bowls in Auckland. There are round about forty clubs, most of them with strong membership lists. The game is also making progress among the outdoor bowling clubs. The indoor bowl is an almost exact miniature of the outdoor variety. It weighs ljlb; the outdoor bowl is twice as heavy. First-grade lignum vitae is the wood used in the composition of the indoor bowl. The bowl in general use in Auckland is a special bowl turned for New Zealand requirements by the wellknown English manufacturing firm of Taylor-Rolph. To Mr. W. B. Darlow goes the honour of having pioneered the importation of the first shipment of these bowls on behalf of the Rechabite order. The carpet on which the game is played indoors is a special one. manufactured at the Onehunga Woollen Mills. It was specially designed to suit the game here, as it was found that the imported carpets were either too light or too heavy in texture. The size of the carpet is 22ft x 6ft, this being proportionate to the size of the outdoor rink. The game is played on exactly the same principle as outdoor bowling, except that there is no ditch, and that every bowl going off the carpet is dead. To make the game scientific and not just a game of skittles, there are penalties attached to driving “kitty” off the carpet. These are fixed proportionate to the “crime.” A skip who removes “kitty” is penalised

three points, whether it is shifted by accident or design. A No. 3is penalised two points and a No. 2 one point. The lead is not penalised, as it is felt that his removing the “kitty” is accidental, and of no gain to either side. The game was first brought to Auckland by Mr. John Jenkin, the well-known bowl tester, who saw it played in 1908 at the Crystal Palace Exhibition. He realised the asset it could be to promote lodge social welfare, and brought a set of bowls back with him to Auckland. These bowls are still in existence. They are much smaller than the type at present used. The Hope of Auckland Rechabites used these bowls for a couple of years until in 1920, their Chief Ruler, Bro. H. H. Skinner, while on a visit to Melbourne, noticed how the game had taken on there. The Melbourne game was not so scientific, as they played with, a perfectly round bowl made of china. There was also no restriction

about driving, and the brother was quite intrigued with the way the bowls were often split to pieces by hard driving. Singularly enough, there was no penalty, and a broken bowl was simply replaced. Although the element of skill was small in this game (there being no bias on the bowls), Brother Skinner realised the advantage of heavier bowls. As a result of his enthusiasm a set of ti-tree bowls were turned of about 3Jin diameter, and weighing probably about a pound. Shortly after this the Devonport Tent of Rechabites, in visiting Hope of Auckland, got the craze also and ordered a set of lignum vitae bowls, to be turned for them by Mr. Blakey, of Wyndham Street. In a little time, other Tents became interested, and five other sets were ordered. From that competitions started to be played in earnest. In 1914, Mr. James Pascoe, immediate past-president of the Auckland Centre, wTio has done so much to advance the social side of bowling, presented a handsome cup for com-

petition among the various Rechabite Tents. This has been competed for each year since. In addition. the 1.0. R. also has a pairs and singles competition, played on a splendid visiting system, initiated by its enthusiastic secretary, Brother G. F. Day. The last three years has been marked by wonderful progress. The Foresters have for years past been most enthusiastic in spreading the gospel of the new game. In Brother W. H. Drew they have had a president whose tact, energy and organising ability has been a big factor in the success of indoor bowling. It. was the Foresters who took the lead in starting the movement to form what is now known as the Auckland Friendly Societies’ Indoor Bowling Association three seasons ago. The pioneers of the present big organisation were as follow:—Bros. J. McLeod and Jno. Clark, M.U.T.0.0.F.; W. H. Drew, president, and H. Crum, secretary, A.O.F. Bowling Association; A. Jenkin, president, and G. F. Day, secretary A.O.D. and F. A. Harris, president, and W. H. Tongue, vicepresident, L.O.L. The first president was Mr. Drew; Mr. Harris was vicepresident, and Mr. Day secretary. In other parts of the province—at Taumarunui, Te Kuiti, Te Aroha, Hamilton. Frankton —the game is making headway. Inquiries have been received from Palmerston North about the prospects of starting the new game there. Within a short period of years the game has not only become firmly established in Auckland but in the past few years it has made wonderful progress.