BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1917, Page 3

BOWLING.

(By "Spectator"). ' There were some points reviewed at the annual meeting of the Taranaki Bowling Association that deserve more than mere passing notice. Thoy were worthy of wide discussion, tat either the delegates were fatigued, or else preferred to keep silent, consequently the meeting lasted 00 minutes The quagtions Taised were very briefly reviewed. From the trend of opinion, players will have to regard the rule re keeping on the mat whilst delivering a bowl, and the wonder is that the clubs have not rigidly insisted on this. A footballer, cricketer, tennis man or golfer, lias to play under certain rules or be penalised, and why not the bowler? Mr. Smith, the president, claims that the hcuvlcr is the best of sports. If so he should live up to the ideals and support the rules so that a rink may win (or lose) under

proper conditions. One can almost imagine the "Hear, hear!" of the groundsmen to Mr. A. K. Smart's suggestion that players should get on the bank after delivering a bowl. He stated, and it has to he admitted that owing to this practice the green is hare of grass at some of the rinks and the green consequently suffers sfoiiiewhat. 'Besides this the spectators would have a much better view of the play. The question of arrears in payment for competitions also deserves mention. Evidently delegates recognised this as a delicate subject and approached it very cautiously. They were so cautious that they left the discussion entirely

to one or two, and these speakers were very diplomatic. Still all must admit that it is a queer specimen of ''sport'' that enjoys the pleasure (and excitement) of a contest and then omits to pay up for the game. Now that the matter has been brought foiward there should he 110 trouble in the future, particularly' if Mr. W. Lambie's suggastion of looking to the skips for each rink for payments is adopted. The request of Stratford to have more clubs engaged in their banner games is decidedly reasonable, but there are two obstacles that appear formidable. 'One is the unsuitaibility of the railway timetable, and the other the weekly halfholiday. 11l these days of motor-cars, distance and time on the journey are [ secondary considerations compared to a slow train: but the half-holiday is unsurmountable. Supposing Ihglewood

comes ii\lo line and the Stratford fink is available. It means that Inglewood would have to travel to Stratford on Wednesdays, which is Inglewood's market day, to meet Hawera. The samj argument applies to Hanvera, as the latter would have to meet Inglewood at Stratford on a Thursday, which is Hawera's busy day. Against this ifc may be said that Hawera has met Eltham and Stratford on those days, but in these instances it has been on tlic iTuwera green, consequently no travelling was necessary. The desire of Stratford (and Hawera)" for more clubs will require

some consideration, and probalbly soi/ie way may be found out of the difficulty. The efforts of the Stratford Club and their desire to assist to this end are commendable and if it is brought about should create much more interest, without destroying the value of the northern competition. There is a strong feeling in the general ranks of the bowling fraternity that pairs competitions are not sufficiently encouraged. As a means of attaining proficiency in all (position in a rink the pairs game is unequalled, especially if the skips are unselfish and take the trouble to coach their partners. Success in bowls is just as much dependent on co-operation as in other games and it should ibe the aim of every club to foster the efficiency of its members.