COMPLEMENTARY

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 21 July 1943, Page 5

COMPLEMENTARY

CHAMPION RINK HONOURED There was .t large 'attenda:fc.> in* the Alexandra Bowling paviliionon Saturday evening (c Lo.ioi.r the Chapion J-our: W. J. Ri,.ssei:, W- 11. Hinton, J. Mi'ddio...-i::s!, and W. Hewitt (skip); thA rink of the Alexandra Club Which won the Championship event during the past season. Mr Jas. Harley, Club President, was in the chair and welcomed all visitors,- especially the four players. He read apologies from Messrs A. Riach, Rev Father O'Connell and the Roxburgh Club; He then handed the proceedings over to .Mr E. Russell who was toastmaster for the evening. After the loyal toast and the toast of our Members serving overseas nad been duly honoured, Dr R.. E. Austin, whjo skipped the Cromwell four, who were runners-up in the competition, proposed the toast of the "Cham-' pion Four". Dr Austin paid a tribute to the way the Alexandra players played as a team right throughout the day; he. Nad had some most enjoyable games against Mr Hewitt and had found him a great sport and a splendid skip; he always had the confidence of his men, he was also pleased to associate his remjarfks with the other members of the team; Mr W. Russell was the obvious lead—he had played great bowls during the year; Mr Hinton was, in his opinion, the best bowler Alexandra had produced for many years and Mr Middlemass, while an importation, was probably the best 3rd in the centre; with such a combination it was only reasonable to say that the best team won. At this stage two American naval officers, acconipanied by Mr W.Jenkins, a w.ll-known Dunedin bowler, arrived; the toastmaster said he was sure that although a toast was not on the list for the American visitors he was confident they would all desire to honour a toast to their great allies; this toast was honoured with great enthusiasm, both men in reply said they had been overwhelmed by the hospitality shown them since arriving in Alexandra which had beeen similar to that given Americans right throughout New Zealand . ~Mr W. Hewitt then replied to the toast of the Champion Rink and said he was very honoured to have been chosen to skip such a great rink; he paid tribute to the way each man had played, tney had all played as a team; he also paid tribute to the sportsmanlike manner Dr Austin had conducted his team. The toast of the Selector was proposed by Mr A. K. Hamilton, who expressed confidence in Mr Sunderland as a selector; he had held that position for a number of years now and he was confident that the club would continue to elect him; he had selected what

was obviously the best four, who had played as a team. Mr Sunderland in the course of a highly amusing reply explained how he had picked the team which was a most unorthodox way and bribery and corruption appeared to play a very large part at arriving at his verdict. Notwithstanding all this Mr Sunderland concluded by saying he was confident all members would agree with him that a great rink had been picked. The Otago Central Bowling Centre was proposed by Mr J. R. McKissock, who paid a tribute to the work done by the centre and especially the secretary, Mr J. L. Davidson. This toast was responded to by the President of the centre, Mr E. Russell and the secretary, Mr J. L. Davidson, who gave an outline of the . various games etc. played in the centre since its formation in 1919. The toast of the Local Bodies was proposed by Mr W. H. King who thanked the Alexandra Borough Council for its assistance at all times to the various sporting bodies; he was sure also that the Cromwell Borough Council rendered equally valuable service. The toast was replied to by Mr A. McKellar, Mayor of Alexandra and Dr Austin, Mayor of Cromwell, both of whom in the course of their replies extxended a welcome to the visiting Americans; they also said they were only too well aware of the value of the various sporting bodies to the community life of any town. Other toasts honoured were Sister Clubs—Mr V. H-. Gait, responded to by Messrs N. Taylor, J. L. Davidson, E. Jelley and C. J. Elder. Kindred Sports—Mjr J. D'. Watt and responded to by Messrs A. Marslin, Football; JR. Earwaker, Tennis; J. D. Stewart, Cricket; A. S. Paull, Golf. The Ladies—Mr H. H. Kemp, responded to by Mr D. Blyth. Performers —Mr W. Hewitt, responded to by Mr S- Bringans. Convenor and Assistants—Mr C. R. Mazengarb, responded to by Mr V. H. Gait and Mr C. A. Robertson. During the evening items were rendered by Messrs T. E. Sunderland, F. Brooks, G. W. T. Campbell, A. Burt. Mr Stuart Bringans as usual, made a very efficient pianist. , Opportunity was also taken to present the trophies won during the year—the Champion Singles, Mr W. H. Hinton; Handicap Singles, Mr W. H. Hinton; Dewar Cup, Mr A. K- Hamilton. A highly successful function was brought to a close with the singing of the National Anthem. In a humorous reply to the toast of "Kindred Bodies' Mr Art Marslin caused much laughtev when he said he was amazed to hear thai the selector, in giving an account of the stewardship and the picking of the team,, said that it was unorthodox; but he was more amazed that tne selector nad not included himself in the rink.