Dr Hocken takes a sea voyage

The principal event of general public interest this week in Dunedin will be the New Zealand Bowling Association's annual tournament.

If the number of entries that are received is an important contributor to the success of such meeting, this particular tournament should surpass all its predecessors.

The greater the number of competitors, however, the greater is, of course, the need for energy and foresight on the part of those whose onerous task it is to make all arrangements for the play and its control.

The hold which the historic game of bowls has now obtained in the Dominion is apparent to the most superficial observer.

In the larger centres of population pretty well every suburb, even though it lacks drainage reticulation or an artificial water supply, has its bowling green - its alluring little enclosure of velvet sward where the game holds undisputed sway till sundown on the long summer evenings.

On the weekly half-holiday in a town such as Dunedin hundreds of citizens may regularly be seen finding their recreation on the grounds of the various bowling clubs, and all classes in the community are represented among them, for bowls is not without some reason called the most democratic, as well as the most sociable, of games.

Nor are its devotees quite idly termed a fraternity.

The Northern Bowling Association's tournament held at Wellington last week and the tournament which begins at Dunedin today illustrate well the scale upon which the enthusiasm of players is catered for in this country.

• Dr Hocken, who has been in ill health for a considerable time, left for Melbourne by the Marama yesterday, accompanied by Mrs Hocken.

The visit, which will be only a short one, is taken in the hope that the sea voyage to Melbourne and back will have a beneficial effect.

Notwithstanding his illness, Dr Hocken has, under great difficulties, devoted every spare moment to work in connection with the preparation of the books and pictures which will form the library that is to bear his name.

He has had a great deal of binding done lately, and has had framed a large number of pictures, lithographs etc.

To the latter he has had affixed explanatory notes, written by himself, which will add largely to the interest taken in the pictures.

We trust that he will return greatly benefited by the sea trip which he has taken. - ODT, 17.1.1910.