BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 246, 17 October 1910, Page 7

BOWLING.

THE OPENING OF THE SEASOJW. Operations lyere- started for -the 1910-11 bowling season on Saturday o.n three S'"eeus, l>evtanport, J K-psoni,' and Howtcfc clubs having the greens in festive trim tor theVformai opening of the campaign of the year.. Weather conditions were not entirely perfect, tlie wind blowing on, the chilly side,-but the clubs which braved the. elements at this early end : of the season may be considered extremely fortunate, in view of thie state of things climatic during the'.paiit week. The greens in: the. nature. of conditions played a trifle ' heavy,." but generally were.in excellent trim, the favour^

able "spring having produced a nice mat. • : EPSOM CT.TTB.

The Epsom Bowling Club's prettily, situated grounds were decked in l'estlvej banting', on Saturday, . which, together with the large number of visiting bowlers- , from sister olube, and "the prestjucc of a bev7 ■• of fair ladies,, proclaimed, to all and sundry who passed that way that opening day of 1910 had arrived: The nine rinks showed flattering evidence of the skilful attention of superintendent and caretaker, and one and ail declared that, ail things considered, the green played wonderfully sweet and true for opening day. Prior to the serious business of the afternoon, tue president (Mr J. Keudell) extended a hearty welcome to the numerous visitors,, expressing particular gratification, at'seeing so ,many representatives from the more distant clnbs. Epsom, lie assured them, always did its best U> afford its guests an enjoyable outing, and lie trusted that all would spend a pleasant afternoon, and go their >wnys- .with....that comfortable ■ senseof. well-being which, came to all bowlers who left the green feeling that they had contributed, if not to victory, at least in. keeping down the other fellow's score. Amid the, - applause that ever accompanies the Ja-allins of the first jack, Mrs Behdell'then sent •'Kitty" ; down the green, and the matcih, president's v. vice-president's, was got under way. Mrs Walter Smith (.vicepresident of the croquet club) performed a similar ceremony on the ladles' croquet lawn, and then tlie duty of the I members' wives, and daughters, started in the way of dispensing . refreshments, under the, superintendence of Mesdames fiendell and Smith.

Upon the conclusion of the match; which resulted in a win for the president's team, by 188 points to 152, hearty cheers weie reciprocated between the entertaining .clubmen and their guests, one of whom, Major Murray, of Duuedin, declared that he was so delighted with wihat he had seen, and experienced of the Auckland bowling greens, that he had decided to make a!n effort to persuade his better half to > migrate with him io so fortunate a city.

Tie foUowiuK are tUe Cetails of tic play, the president's team being given first in each instance:—'

Barton, Edmiston, Sexton, Thomes (s) — 20, v. H. B. Frascr, lieioh, ILcGowan, A. Jones is) — 18.

Brook, George, Pairman, Hendell (s) — 16, v. Bryden, Wilson, G. Wilkinson, Kankin (S) - 10.

Praylins, Salnsbury. G. Watkins, Major tUotray (s) — IS, v. O-weia, W. liead, "Walton, 1-larbutt (sj — -JU. Perueyliough, Kountree, Hcscott, W. Smith (s) —29, v. Tanner, Meldrum, Patterson, Taftersall (s) —9. E. C. Browne, Choyce, S. G. Lee, E-. A. Craig (s)—i-21, v. E. X,ewisi, J. Brown, S. W. Jones, W. Davies Cs)—lG. * . " ■Clellund, Atfo.ru, Everett, A. Suiith (e)ia v Dowllng, J. Smith, Stevenson, < S )- ---28, v. Bolton, Vuglar, Thomson, J. PriestIgy (s) io Adams, Pinson, Gribble, D. G. Clarke (s) 19, v. Scott, .Harrison, J. Haslett, A. ParSO H-feton S "(s)-31, v. .Dr. T. Molr (s)—l7. Total.—Presidetfa ISS, vice-presidents 152. Majority lor president's 36.

DEVONPOKT CLPB. . The opening ceremony in connection with the Devonport Bowling Club was held on the club's green on Saturday. Despite the threatening attitude of the weather there was a large attendance, the Auckland and suburban clubs being well represented. The president (Mr. D. Harvey) welcomed the visitors, and trusted that the season would prove a successful fone,. and thoroughly enjoyable to every member. He referred feelingly to the loss the club had sustained through the death o£ Mr. Butts,, who,, he said, was one 1 of the oldest players of Auckland, and was held in the highest Tespeet by every bowler. .' He was pleased to state that the affairs of tlie club were very satisfactory, and everything promised well for a successful season. He referred to the condition of the green, and said the thanks of tlie club were due to Uie green superintendent (ilr. Harrison) acid to the caretaker for their careful attention to the lawn. The green was- formally .opened by Mrs. Haivey throwing the "jack" across the green. A match was played between the president's an-d vice-president's teams, the resnlts 'being as follows, the president's team •being given first in each instance: Robson, Sommerfleid, Diddams, Harvey (s)—23, v.

Ixrw. J. M. "W-alker, Lennox. Grafctan (s) — 21; Wheloh, Mays, Lamb, >Yright (s)—22, v. Cooper, Hall, Baker, Armstrong (s)—2o; Morley, Raynes, Miller, T. Mills (s)—l7, \. Trayes, Tomlinson, Harrison, Mason, (s) Jenkins, Brooks, Cahiil, Langsford (a) —32, v. &tewart, Brickson, Volkner, Harty (s) — 13; E. A. Anderson Lloyd, Bevins, Gardner (s)—24, v. Carson, Wyatt, Hodgson, Hudson (s) —12j J. CTaylor, Bluckbnrn, Uttler, Bradley (s) ; — 28, V. Goseoigtue, Orchard, Crabtree, Walker (s)—18; Hay, <?arter, Bartley, J. Anderson (s)—l6 v. AY. 'Crosher, Pitts, W. Noton, Eyre (s) —28; Grant, Vaile, 'Eady, JJeiwell (s)—l4, v. ißain, Gondie, Meyers, Mitchell (s)—22; McLean, Martinson, Shep■herd, Tudehope (a) —19, v. Colonel Roberts, Captain Lacy, Duder, J, M. Orosher (s)—2l. Totals: Bresident's, 195; vice-president's, iss. ROCKY HOOK WINTER GREEN. Taylor, White, Wakerley (s) —15, v. Westney, Kiryes, 3. Scott (s) —27; Curtain, ©arts. Brown,. Butler (s)—2s, y. Smith, Short, Hirst, Mills (b)—18. HOWICK. The opening of the Howiek Bowling and Croquet Clubs came ' "off on Saturday. About 30 -visitors journeyed from Auckland by the Tnranga. Five clubs were represented, viz., Ponsonby, Onehunga, Grey Lynn, Devonport, Bemuera. ' Play commenced about 3 p.m., and. finished at 5.50, allowing the visitors to get home by daylight. The opening match, President v. Vice-pre-sident, was won by the former, the score being 62—46. Both greens were in very good order, reflecting great credit on the caretaker, Mr Barnett;