BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 66, 19 March 1931, Page 18

BOWLING.

FUNCTION AT PONSONBY. PENNANTS AND PAIRS. TOURING PARTIES IX COMPETITION. (By TRUXDLER.) The old-time festivities annually arranged for St. Patrick's Day, by the late Mr. Maurice C'ascy, were recalled in a happy fashion by Mr. L. S. Kelly, president of the Ponsonby Bowling Club, on Tuesday, when he invited a representative gathering of the older bowlers to assemble for a day on tlie green. On arrival Mr. Kelly welcomed the visitors, explaining that he had chosen that day in memory of their old friend and club patron, the first Auckland president of the Dominion Bowling Association, for they would all remember how delighted he always was in entertaining bowlers on St. Patrick's Day at some function, either on the green or at his own residence. He thought he could not do better than follow his excellent example, if only to recall what they owed to their old friend, and he was glad that amongst those present was his son, Mr. "Vic. Casey, so that he Avould understand how much they appreciated what his father had done'for the club, from its foundation in 1893 until his lamented death on Armistice Day, 1918.

Mr. Vic. Casey was visibly affected when he commenced to thank Mr. Kelly for arranging in such a kindly and thoughtful way to entertain the veteran bowlers in honour of his father, and called on Professor Maxwell Walker to complete his speech. The professor was peculiarly fitted to carry out this commission, for the deceased gentleman had played in his rink on many notable occasions, but more than all this they remembered how he had never spared either trouble or expense whenever he saw an opportunity to advance the interests of bowling. Mr. Kelly entertained the company to lunch in the pavilion, and at his invitation appropriate addresses were given by Mr. James Carlaw, a foundation member of the club, who afterwards returned to his old club, Auckland, and also by Mr. James Stichbury, the oldest continuous member of the club. Complimentary addresses were also given by Mr. J. M. Thomson, president of the Auckland Centre, and Mr. J. W. Hardley, a member of the Dominion Council. At afternoon tea Mr. G.. B. Osmond, another of the old brigade, conveyed the thanks of all to Mr. Kelly for entertaining the gathering in such a handsome fashion, in which he was assisted by Mrs. Kelly and some of her lady friends. Four short games were played, the winners to be the rink with the least number of points scored against them. As a further compliment to the memory of the late Mr. Casey, the prizes were four gold shamrocks. The winning rink was: Gilbert Casey, Burgoyne (Australia), S. Coldicutt and S. Jenkin. History Repeats Itself.

A coincidence that may not have been noticed by everybody is that last year section A in the pennants was won by Helensville with 67.5 per cent, and this year by Carlton with 67.7 per cent. Section B was won by .Auckland with 64.2 per cent, and this year Onehunga won it with 64.1 per cent. Mention has already been made of the fact that of the thirteen Carlton rinks who entered in the pairs three qualified, but it is.rather strange that the luck of the draw caused all three to be put out by the ultimate winners, I. Clarke and C. E. Hardley (West End). As it happened they were in one of the four sections that contained two Carlton pairs, and as they got through -without a loss it means that of their nine wins five were against Carlton. It is no light record for any players to beat five Carlton teams, and this invests their great victory with still greater merit. Naturally they have received warm congratulations on their fine performance. A match is being arranged for former Otago and Southland bowlers to meet local players on Tuesday afternoon, March 31, probably on the Mount Eden green. When intending participants notify Mr. D. C. Fraser by telephone or letter, the necessary number of clubs will be invited to send a rink each to meet them. Those who recall the success of the first function of this kind will anticipate another enjoyable afternoon.

Personal Notes. Although, the official trip to Taranaki a fortnight ago was abandoned, four Auckland bowlers happened to be there toward the end of the week, and they were invited to play a New Plymouth rink on the Saturday. The party coinprised Messrs. E. Scarborough (Rawhiti), S. Scarborough (Hillsboro'), J. Veale (Ponsonby) and P. J. H. Ellisdon (Devonport), and they won a 25-head game by 29 to 17. They have not claimed that they were up against a real Test team. i A pleasant afternoon was spent by the Auckland Centre executive on the Howick green last Monday afternoon, where they received a cordial welcome from the president, Mr. Arthur Selby. He is only 85 years of age, but they discovered that he is trying to keep up the popular illusion that only the "young fellows" are now taking on bowls, for he had been up at daylight to prepare the green for the afternoon. By the time Mr. Selby has played bowls for another ten years he will be as well known on the green as he has been on the Ellerslie racecourse for the last 30 years, but writing from memory Mr. I Arthur Yeoman was the only one of the twelve visitors who knew the veteran J in his younger days, and followed the! hounds with him in those enjoyable I years toward the end of last century and the beginning of this. Mr. E. Farrow (Ponsonby) leaves for Mangaweka to-morrow to enter business' m that town. It will not be long before I ho joins the local bowling club, judging | by his enthusiasm for the here. ! .Mr. Stan McKenzie, who was chain-' pion of the Hikurangi Bowling Club! three times and has been stationed more recently at Kawakawa, has now moved to Papatoetoe, and will join the local club. General regret will be felt at the untimely death of Mr. A. J. Benzie, of Christchurch, who was president of the Dominion Bowling Association for the 1927-2S season. Probably he exerted still more influence on the game through his position as bowling critic for the '•'Christchurch Press" for manv years. Those who went_ to the 'Dominion tournament in Christchurch three years ago, when Mr. Benzie was president of the Dominion Bowling Association, will ' regret, to learn that while he died last 1 Sunday evening he had only survived by one day Mr. E. W. Wade, who was 1 secretary that year. Mr. Wade became secretary of the Cbristehurch Centre in 1923, and at the time of his death lie still held that position, besides beinw president of the St. Alban's Bowlin« Club. ~ 6 i