WELCOME TO VISITING BOWLERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 24, 29 January 1900, Page 3

WELCOME TO VISITING BOWLERS.

There was a large and representative muster of Auckland bowlers present at the Auckland Bowling Club green on Saturday afternoon to welcome the visiting bowlers who had put in an appearance from various portions of the North Island to assist Bt the Northern Bowling. Association Century Tournament. Soon after halfpast two o'clock Mr J. Barker, president of the Auckland Bowling Asso- ■ ciation "took a prominent place in front of the pavilion, and gathered next to jhim were Messrs Wm. Gorrie, J. Kirkwood, Hugh Campbell, King-swell, W. Lambert, Arthur M. Myers, T. Finlayson, Dr. Hooper, A. Holden, A. W. Thomson, and many others. . r Mr Kirker, on behalf of the. Auckland bowlers, gave the visitors a hearty welcome. He regretted the absence of Mr Spurdle, of. Wanganui, president of the North Island BowlingAssociation, but in his substitute, Mr A. W. Thomson, vice-president, they, had a genial and popular bowler, who would perform the duties well. He was sorry some of the clubs were not represented, notably Wanganui and Taranaki, but they had their old friend Mr J. Paul wuth them, and 'players would be able to look on his genial face on the green next week. Mr Paul was a host in himself. He regretted the teams from Australia, were not with them that afternoon, but it was felt that to put off the welcome would have seriously cut into the time. However, their welcome would be none the less hearty on their arrival, for complete arrangements had been made for the entertainment of visitors. Mr Kirker concluded by giving all a hearty welcome, and said he. hoped that the best teams would win. Three cheers were tlien called for the visiting bowlers, which were heartily responded to. Mr A. W. Thomson replied. He said that it fell upon him, on behalf-of the Northern Bowling Association of New Zealand, arid in the unavoidable absence of their president (Mr Spurdle, of Wanganui), to thank the bowlers of Auckland for the very hearty reception they had given that day to the visiting bowlers from the South, and Iby implication to those also from New South Wales. From what the visitors had seen and heard of the. arrangements for the Century Tournament tney had no doubt that everything that ■wisdom and experience could devise would be done to promote, the convenience and comfort of the visitors, and to add to their pleasure at this function. Those bowlers who had visited Auckland on like occasions in former years were aware of the good reputation the Auckland clubs enjoyed for kindness and generous hospitality to their visitors, and at this tournament Auckland would,' he was sure, fully maintain its excellent character in that respect. He must not take up "too-much--green"—(laughter) — but "o-o'narrow and-firm for the jack, provided tie had "back bowls." Well, his back bowls were to give a few concise details regarding the tournament to commence in Auckland on Monday, 29th inst. The Northern Bowline Association consisted ot m> Clubs and he. was informed by the secretary (Mr Mentiplay). there was a -further/probable accession ot strength this year. (Applause.) At the tournament there, were 16 clubs, represented, and 128 players. The clubs taking part in the contest were: -Wellington, Hawera, Hastings, Bluft Hill, Napier, Gisborne, Feildmgt PalSer'ston North, Sydney Newcastle (New South Wales), Auckland, Ponsonby, Remuera, Newmarket, Devon■nort; Mount Eden. In conclusion ' would call upon the visitors to give three cheers for the bowlers of.the Auckland district, and three cheers also for the local committee arranging and> preparing for the visitors' comforts, coupled with the name of their worthy a^d indefatigable president (Mr James Kirker). This was done VA yfrie endly ymatch was then; arranged of 12 rinks, Allcomers v. Auckland teams (in which the men of the latter W selected from the various local Subs) The result of the match was ?nt the Mlcomers defeated the Auck- . ncei % 35 points, the totals being respectively 265 and 230 points. The following are the 1 Rink.—Allcomers: Curtis, Goodbehere, Sandilands, Young (skip), 15v Auckland: Button, Perrett, Law-i-h C G. Brookes (skip), 24. No 2 Rink.-Dingle McKen Zl e Gray, ,Pam (skip), 13, v. Edmiston Prime, J. M. Geddis, Kirker (skip), «£ No 3 Rink.—Thomson," Leithbr^dge, Bray! Saywell (skip), 13, v. Stbhbury, A Myers, Ross, Ledingham (skip), 20. No? 4 Rinlc.-Badley, J. Thomson, Crawiey, Tabuteau (skip), 29, v. ■Ccttle, Morran, Haslett, H. Brookes (skip), 16. _ ■ ... „ No. 5 Rink.-J. Syme, Haughey, G. Svme, Pallington (skip), 17,..v- f*~kechnie, Woodhead, Hooper, Holden (skip), 13. ~ _, No. G Rink.—Davidson, Connell, 1 arkinson, Tait (skip), 14, v. Buttle, Steadman, Dr. Hooper,. Culpan.(fWp)>. No. 7 Rink.—Sir Ed. Gibbes, D. McLean, Russell, N. McLean (skip), 22, v. Butler, Towsey, Edwards, A. v\. Thomson (skip), 14. No. 8 Rink.—Reich, Bell, Mentiplay, Ballinger (skip), 39, v. Thornes, Finlayson, Crawford, J. J. Holland (skip), 15. No. 9 Rink.—Frazer, Barrett, Bayley, Dixbn (skip), 16, v. W. S. Jones, Squirrell, Rhodes, Tudehope (skip), 21. ; . No. 10 Rink.—Holt, Simmons, Bennett, Lyons (skip), 30, v. D. lioss, Moritzson, Dunshea, H. Campbell (skip), 14 ■. . •■■ .• No. 11 Rink.—Young, Buick, Hay-, bittle, Nash (skipV 24, v. Brigham, Morrisby, Shackelford, Gorrie (skip), 20. .-■ ~. No. 12 Rink.—Thacker, Russell, Stinting, Mowlem (skip), 33, v. Leser, McMastgr- Purchas, Pettie (skip), 15. Total—Allcomers 265; Auckland, ■230. Majority for Allcomers, 35. When the result was announced by Mr Kirker, three cheers were called "}' the Aueklanders for the Allcomers, these were heartily reciprocated • "}' the'former. * _ Mrs Hugh. Campbell, (wife of the . president of the Auckland (Grafton) Club, assisted by a number of lady mn^S) dispensed afternoon tea. The Newton Band, under Bandmaster Macmahon, performed a pro- • gramme of selections during the afternoon.