At Winnipeg, the respective Curling Associations of the Land Department,
Retail Store and Wholesale Depot are making up for lost time, the season
having started late. Extent of the enthusiasm displayed in the Company's
Winnipeg establishments for the grand old game is indicated by the
hundred and ten yelling, sweeping adherents who turn out once and twice
a week. Ice has been good and the weather just cold enough to induce
lively work behind every skip. It is to be noted that more rocks are
getting across the "hog" than the first part of last season.
[Illustration: "_Meet Me Face to Face_"]
If ice holds after present schedules are completed, it is planned to
bring the victorious rinks together in an H.B.C. "bon spiel" for a
decision on the Company Curling Championship for Winnipeg.
[Illustration: "_Draw Weight, We'll Sweep It!_"]
Sketched are two well-known "skips" heading land department rinks and
one "skip" who cuts a lot of ice in wholesale circles. Our staff artist
caught him as he was shooting his first rock of the season, using the
follow-through system. He is usually more dignified than as portrayed
(on next page) and the editor remarks a terrific shift of latitude here
as this arctic "skip" was but lately a strutting Toreador. The two land
department "skips" pictured on this page wear no disguise and need no
introduction but we'll give a Made beaver to anyone who'll guess their
identity.
It is of course too early to make predictions as to probable winners in
the various departmental associations. We cannot get any sort of a
prognostication from our usually very opinionated Sporting Editor. For
next issue, he promises to analyze the performance of the leading rinks
and tell Messrs. Harman, Vesey and Sparling exactly what their
respective chances are.
On the following page is the standing of the rinks as at 10th January:
[Illustration: _Wholesale Boys! "Do You Know Him?"_
--!!! _Sweep Her-Up--She'll Never Reach_]