BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 24, 29 January 1902, Page 2

BOWLING.

•' PBS PAKBB ASSOOUTIOir. WKLLraoBOK, January 38, As the weather gave indications of clearing up about five o'd' ek the Wellington and Palmeraton Clubs decided to play off to decide which wa" entitlel to rank as second to the champion team in the inter-club competition. Plsyitt I the mud resulted, and rain began be? fore the games were concluded. Bfcfc lingers and Draw's teams contnuel oa to the bitter and, but McLean and Mowlpm pulled out with ten heads to go. Ballinger's team scored 22 to , Drew's 11, and the other game standi -McLean 22, M owl cm 8 Wellington is thus leading by 25 point*, with ten heads to play.

At the smoke oanoTt given by the Association on Friday night, Mr Bent stated in detail the causes which lad to the New Zealand bowlers separating thenwlves from the Australians in tbt reoent Home tour, and about whieb some"" explanation! " of an unwToary nature had emanated from It appears that on reachiog Australia onr bowlers, who were willing to join an Australian combination, were nnable to obtain any definite information as to the campaign -except chat tbero was to be a paid secretary. Ibis oxpensive luxury was considered undceirable, but at a meeting called %f Mr Paul in Eaglind, it was derided ttaeVS* sooner than cause-discussion the Maorilanders would stand in on one oonlition, viz., the combination mast not be broken—they most play ,aa Mhori'anders or not at all. To tldf the Australians angrily replied to the effect that the New Zealandera must f«ll intio line or be exooatmunutteH. The latter decided to poll out altogither Tor the following reasons:—(l) That the combination of forty bowlets would be unworktble, besides being an infringement of all sane laws of hospitality; and (2) that it w*« bettor to separate bsfeea oommenuiug operations, .' so as to obviate the possibility of a row or scandal This decision was received with ohagrin and bitterness by too Australians, though the New Zealand team were actuated throughout by tbo friendliest spirit. After referring with pride to the result of the oontests during the tour—--14 wins and IS losses—Mr Baal raited a protect agaiast the habit-* which was growing locally—of bowlers playing to the "gallery," and he oondemned the "lyddite" game which was becoming so fathionabUi with those olubs to whom viotory was a desideratum. * There is a great deal too much of this stassoing up of heads" said the veteran. "Itis not really bowling. In Bootland yon see very little of it played. This skittles game to ma is most abominable." Speaking as to any future, <eam that might be seat to Great Brittio, Mr Paul expreased an opinioo that it should ooosist of 14 men to play three ranks, all the members being pledged " to see the job right through," and do away with the emergency men. Ho siid that he was firmly impressed wib the idea that a well selected team of New Zealandera would make things interesting for the beat that the United Kingdom could produce. With modest firide he quoted the following eitraet rom one of Scotland's leading bowlers: —" The New Zealand bowlers are the finest lot of men we have ever met on a bowling green here."