BOWLING.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18302, 9 February 1925, Page 11

BOWLING.

CHRISTCHURCH V,

WELLINGTON.

BARNETT TIKI GAME

Tho first iutcr-centre game between

I Christchurch and Wellington for the j handsomo Barnctt Tiki took place on the Wellington green on Saturday. The Christchurch players went to Wellington by Friday night's boat- and were met- on their arrival at Wellington, by Mr F. Meadowcroft (president of the Dominion of New Zealand Bowling Association) and by Mr S. Potter (president of the Centre). After breakfast, a. friendly game was arranged for the morning, tho more serious game taking place in the afternoon. Althongh heavy rain fell overnight it was not sufficient to make the green unplayable, but it was a trifle heavy and "sticky." The glorious weather which prevailed during the day soon dried tho green, and before plav was finished it. was running vcrv fast and keen. Mr Potter, in a. neat little speech, welcomed tho visitors and expressed the hope that tibe day would be a very pleasant one. Mr A. J. Benzie, in Teply, said that ho saw no reason why intercentre matches between Christchuxch and Wellington should not bo played annually. The relations between the two centres had always been most, harmonious,: and he was sure bowlers in each would look forward to meeting annually, Tho following are tho results of the morning play:— W. C. Mowbray, Thompson, Ramsay, Hodgins (s) .. .. £3 Cooper, • Main, • Chambers, Henley (s) .. - ■ 21 Salek, • Barry, Brinsden, Frost (s) .. .. 16 Brinsden, •West (s) ... .. Bennett. Laws, Myers, Meadowcroft (s) .. .. I£> Brien, Killner, Good, Spiller (s) Townsend, Dixon, Keith, Norwood (s) .. ..19 Brown, Pcnlington, Williams, . Cooper (s) . . .. Johnson, Dempsey, Thompson, Glendinning (s) ... 19 Euthorford, Maddren, McCullough, Bilcliff (s) .. —■ 26 Geddis, Stone, N. Donohue, Potter (s) .. .. 20 Barnett, Burson, Angus, J. A. Redpafch (s) .. .. IS Carr, Holdsworth, Kershaw, A. • Allan (s) .. ..19 Marric, - Bascand, Du Feu, Dobbs (s) .. .. —• 13 Bennett, Jonos, Shcpard, Mc- , Arthur (s) .. ..'l4 Cray, Drake, Almond, Benzie ' (B) *• " ~~ 18 149 146

Immediately after the morning game the visitors were driven by motor to Dustin'fi, where they were entertained, at lunch by the Wellington players. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been honoured the President of tho Wellington Centre (Mr S. Potter) proposed the toast of tho visitors. ■ He said this was a red letter day in the history of bowling.in Wellington, and he was sure that as each year, went by. these inter-centre games would be looked forward to with keen interest; In the Council they dealt, with many rules regarding bowlp and tho mat question, butthere seemed to him to be only one subject, tp discuss to-day and that was "Mat" Baxnett, the donor of the handsome trophy which they were to. play for that afternoon. It was one of She most unique trophies he had ever seen and he was delighted to tliink that it had been presented for competition between the two province's. Mr Potter then read the conditions under which the trophy' was' to be. played, for, after whiah the toast was drunk with musical honours. . - ■

Mr A. J. Benzie,' in replying on, behalf of the visitors, said that now a commencement! had " been made with these inter-provincial matches there r was no Teason at all why they should not continue. These matches were the means of making many friendships and cementing the good feeling which existed between the two centres. At one time Christchurch produced many fine players in the game of bowls, and no doubt many of the older players present would remember the names of suah stalwarts as the late Mr John Struthers, Mr Henry Thompson, Mr J. C. Maddison, Dr. Thomas, and their good friend Mr. L. B. Wood, who was still alive. These men did much.for bowling in their ,day. During recent years, however, the-names of Christchurch! bowlers lad not loomed bo largely, with probably the exception of' Messrs J. A. Eedpath, James Angus a,nd Walter - Spiller, who were playing with them day. He did not think that bowling was deteriorating in any way in the Canterbury province, but it seemed to • lim to have advanced considerably in the North Island, therefore periodical /visits to centros'such as ■Wellington would be most beneficial and probably they would learn many of the finer-points of the game bo as to enable them in the course of a year or two to bring ■ the much-coveted Association Banner to the City of the Plains. Mr Benzie eulogised Mr Barnett for presenting suah a "handsome trophy, an.d finished his reply by-reading the origin of'the Tiki.. . ;

Mr M. F. Barnett,; who was . received with great-applause and the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," said he was delighted to know that bis littlo gift had been so much appreciated, and if it. gave the. two Centres so much pleasure to receive, it gave him as much pleasure to! give. Mr Barnett was in humorous-mood and related one or two very interesting incidents. The teanjs Were then driven.back to the Wellington Green and punctually at 2 p.m. ,play . for the Barnett Tiki commenced before a good crowd of interested spectators. The Tiki was displayed on the -pavilion and was the source of much interest. The game was of 25 (heads and played under the rules of the Dominion of New Zealand Bowling Association. Excellent play was witnessed on, both sides and one or two very close, finishes, took place. As the result was to be decided on games, and, in ease of a tie, points were to count, there • were many, anxious moments ' during the closing stages. Ultimately . •Christchurch , won bv. 6 games to >2,' 222 points for Christchurch as against 153 points for. Wellington. During the day morning and aftern.oon tea. wa!s dispensed in the pavilion. The following are the results of the Barnett.Tiki game:— C. W. Herrick, . Drake,. Almond, ■ Benzie'(s) . • ' .. 37 Geddis, ■ Stone, X.' Dohohue, S. Potter .(s) .. .. "3 2 Barnett, Burson, 'Angus,. J. A. Eedpath (s) .. ..25 Salck, • Barry, Brinsden, Frost (s) .. . • : 1" F. Cooper, :Main, Chambers, Henley (s). .. •.. 06 - Townsend, -Dixon, Keith, Norwood (s)s .. •• Brien, Killncr, Good, Spiller (s) 30 ' Bennett, Jones, Shepard, Mc.Arthur:(s) .. •• — Brunsden, Calvert, Mazcy, West (s)::„ ... . . ... 25 < — Mowbray,. .Thompson, Eanisay, Hodgins (s) ...

C. W. Eutherford, Maddren, ' ' Mc-T Cullough, Bilcliff (s) .. 32 Bennett, Myers, F. Laws, Meadowcroft (s) .. I t Marrie, Bascand, 'Du Feu, Dobbs (s) ... -.22' Johnson, Dempsey, Thompson, ' Glendinaing (s) .. — 1 • 21 Brown, Penlington, Williams, G. Cooper (s) .. 15 Carr, Houldswortb, Kershaw, " A. Allan (s) •222 153 Mr Potter announced the result of the game, and said that although Wellington were beaten, they would' retain the trophy for the year, after w&ich. the team that won would hold the trophy until defeated. He also- ' expressed grateful thanks to the directors of the Wellington Clab for placing their green at the disposal ■of the Centre. Mr Benzie expressed the thanks of the Christch.urch Centre for the hospitality extended to the team and said he hoped that next year they would -be able in some measure to repay tbem • for the glorious entertainment which had been provided for them.. Mr Brinsden, president 1 of the Wei: lington Club, and Mr Meadowcroft, president of the Dominion Association, also spoke, and after the.singing, of "God Save the King" and "Auld Lang Syne," the bowlers departed for their hotel. The Christchurch team left by the Maori later in the evening, many of the Wellington players being present to. see them off.

CLUB FOR FENDALTON. The postponed meeting, to discuss the formation in the Fcndalton district -o£ a bovrlin?,' tennis, and croquet club 13 to 'be; held on Wednesday eTeilin?: in tho church schoolroom, Fenculton. Proposals •,Trill. be submitted for the purchase of an area suitable for greens an-i courts. , ' . ,