BOWLS

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24389, 16 October 1944, Page 3

BOWLS

OPENING OF SEASON The bowls season was opened on most °f the Christchurch and suburban grounds on Saturday. The weather was good and most of the greens played fast and true. All indications were for a successful season, and increased membership in the different clubs.

Mr F. C. H. Williams, president of the Shirley Bowling Club, extended a welcome to many members and visiting bowlers. He especially welcomed to the green Mr A. McDougall, a keen bowler, now in his eighty-seventh year. Mr Williams thanked the staff and many voluntary workers for the excellent order of the greens,, and for the improvements made to the club’s appointments. After Mrs Williams, wife of the president, had delivered the first bowl, 16 rinks engaged m competition, the players Including the Mayor, Mr E. H. Andrews. The president, Mr C. N. Haslam, declared open the St. Albans Club’s season and made an appeal to members to give every assistance possible to the Returned Services Association’s Bowling Club in its appeal for financial assistance. A wind indicator was presented by Mr Haslam to Mr ■W. Patterson, a representative of the' R.S.A. Bowling Club, for use on the new greens in Hagley Park. Mr S. R. Johns, vice-president of the Canterbury Club, said the game of bowls had grown so steadily in popularity that the membership roll of. the club was well filled. The death of the president,-Mf R. H Stott, was a severe blow to the club, for he was an ardent enthusiast of the game. The immediate past-president, Mr W. B. Fuller, congratulated the club on its win In the Easter tournament, and presented certificates to the winners, R. E. McNish, P. Delargey, E. H. Travis, and Mrs R. H. Stott, for her husband, the other member of the rink, who had died since the tournament. The Cashmere Club celebrated Its twenty-first anniversary when the president (Mr P. Dunn) congratulated the members on the great improvements made m the removal of the club’s pavilion to a more suitable place, and on the additions to the club’s appointments. He presented Mr F. W. Freeman, chairman of the Heathcote County Council, with a wooden "key" to the pavilion to mark, the comlng-of-age of the club. Mr A. H. Sherratt, president cl the Christchurch Bowling Club, congratulated the greenkeeper. Mr D Day, on the excellent condition of the green, which had been relaid and sown only two years ago, and the committee responsible for renovations to the pavilion The Mayor (Mr E H. Andrews) speaking at the opening of the Llnwood Club’s green, said there appeared to be a need for more greens for the women members of the club. The game of bowls was becoming more and more popular with women. The New Brighton. Edgeware, and Barrington Clubs also opened the season on Saturday, and after the official opening had been made, friendly games were played.