Summer Bowling.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 249, 21 October 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)

Summer Bowling.

Progress of the Clubs.—Several Opening To-day.—The Oldest Clubs in Auckland.

(By TRUNDLER.)

This is a very important day in the progress of Auckland bowling, as five of the seven clubs in this city which were founded last century are opening their summer season. These are Auckland, founded in 1861; Carlton and Ponsonby in 1893; Remuera in 1890; and Mount Albert in 1897. The remaining two, Devonport, founded in 1895, and Mount Eden in 1890, opened last Saturday as well as they could in the adverse weather conditions prevailing. It is of interest to note that although tho monopoly of the parent club was unbroken for 32 years, the progress of the game then became very rapid, for in addition to the six clubs mentioned as having started within the short period of four years, Waitemata was founded in 1900, Oneliunga and Rocky Nook in 1901, Grey Lynn in 1904, Papakura in 1905, Epsom and Otaliuhu in 1906, Howick and Waiuku in 1907, Coromandel and Balmoral in 1908, Ellerslie and West End in 1910, and several dozen clubs in the next 23 years, including a wonderful run in the Waikato, the Goldfields, tho Bay of Plenty, and the Northern Peninsula. lii tho meantime the game was introduced into other parts of the North Island, first at New Plymouth in 1885, through the enthusiasm of the late Mr. James Paul, one of the most remarkable men that the game has ever known. At tho same time it was decided to start a club at Napier, but it was only actually founded in 1887, allowing Wanganui and Wellington to take precedence by being founded in 18S0. Palmerston North followed in 1888, Gisborne in 1889, Hastings in 1890, and about 30 members of the Wellington Club formed Thorndon in 1592. Although the parent club of Auckland was thus the only club in the North Island from 1861 to 18S5, and there was no club in the South Island until the Dunedin Club was formed in 1871, the game there mado much more rapid progress than it did licrc, and 10 clubs were started in Otago and Canterbury before Auckland had New Plymouth for company. However, the balance changed in tho next 15 years, the North Island having 25 clubs before 1900, and the South only 23, the difference being steadily accentuated ever since, until now the North has 199 clubs and the South 140. * Another increase in membership, on the top of last year's record increase, would justify all tlio rejoicing at the Stanley green this afternoon. Nine more have joined, and indications point to the roll reaching 50 before the season is far advanced.

Rocky Nook has a net increase of four, due to six departures and 10 new arrivals. Among the new members are Dr. Fullerton and Messrs. F. Egginton (formerly of West End), E. Wintlirop (formerly of Balmoral), E. Ellisdon (last year's skip of the Devonport first-year team), W. H. Stuart (a former club member), and C. W. Kayos. The club is looking forward to again reaching a winning position in the pennants, with the experienced Jimmy Wakerley as sole selector. The treatment accorded the greens this year has been beneficial, and on the opening day the visitors were very pleased with the playing surfaces, Greenkeeper McGee having much to be proud of. Among the visitors were a number of old-timers, including Messrs. John Jenkin, F. J. 11. Ellisdon, W. White and F. J. Matthews. A new departure in club games this year will be the appointment of the skips by ballot! The match committee will select the leads, seconds and thirds, and each lead will ballot for a skip at the declaration of the draw. Entries close next Saturday, and the competitions will commence immediately thereafter. Visiting bowlers are reminded that the greens are open for play each afternoon except Monday, and a warm welcome awaits any who care to call in. The Balmoral greens should be playing much.better this season, having been closed during the winter to enable the surface to be entirely renovated. Ellerslie members and their visitors would notice this afternoon a distinct improvement in their green, as a result of drastic treatment since the autumn. The two greens on the southern side of the Epsom property were looking a picture when reopened after a long treatment in the winter. The pavilion green, carried all the traffic for several months. The summer green at Onehunga has taken a new lease of life since the removal of the palms that were spoiling the northerfi side. The Rawliiti opening this afternoon would be tinged with a note of sadness on account of the death of Mrs. J. B. Patcrson, the large attendance of bowlers at her funeral last week testifying to the high esteem in which she and her husband are held. Mr. Paterson was president of the club for over 10 years, but it was Mrs. Paterson's enthusiastic hospitality that singled out his term of office as something quite apart from the usual run of club presidencies.

"Waikato" writes":—"After reading your last Saturday's comments on the origin of the Carlton Club I have to admit that my first memories of the change from Newmarket to Parnell were at fault. I have since dug up an old trophy, given, I think, for the club fours in the 1898-99 season. It is engraved, N.B.C. 1890 P.B.C. From-this it is evident that both clubs at that date retained something of their original identities. The club fours mentioned were rather remarkable in one respect, and as some of those engaged are still alive, mention of the final may recall something of the history of the club. The game was played on two evenings. The first evening 11 heads were played, and the team skipped by George Laurie (a brother of C. G. Laurie) scored 19 to 1 against J. M. Laxon's team. When the game resumed next evening Laurie's team did not score again until the 20tli head, when they scored one, making their score 20 to 15, and Laxon succeeded in scoring six points on the last head, to win by 21 to 20. The only names of those engaged that linger in my memory are those of the skips. I heartily endorse your remarks regarding tiie careless way the records of clubs are usually kept, and feel sure it should make club officials pay more attention to a proper method of recording current affairs. In days to come these gentlemen will find that they will be more inclined to look back and recall the days of old, and will be grateful to someone who has had the foresight to record some event in which they were engaged in their more useful days. Please accept my thanks for your most interesting comments.* <

With regard to the observation of "Waikato" 011 the casual way in which most clubs keep their records, it is very significant that the only two secretaries who have telephoned regarding the early days of bowling in this city are the evergreen Carlton secretary, Mr. W. E. Arey, with 20 years in office to make him appreciate bowling history, and the still more experienced Auckland secretary, Mr. S. Coldicutt, with about 30 years in office, and the latter is still digging into all the old records that may bo of use. However, the position is decidedly improving, except for the risk of fire destroying everything, and if all secretaries compiled such complete records as the secretaries mentioned, and those of Mr. XI. H. Newton (Grey Lynn), and more latterly Mr. J. E. Cowell (Onehunga), posterity would not have mucli to complain about on that seorq.