Bowls FIVE CLUBS OPEN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29017, 5 October 1959, Page 8

Bowls FIVE CLUBS OPEN

Greens In Good Order Five bowling clubs affiliated to the Christchurch Bowling Centre held their opening days on Saturday. The greens had had careful attention in the off season and they were in excellent condition for the opening celebrations. They were running a little heavy. Two of the greens that opened, Sydenham and Cust, were significant. Sydenham was opening sixtieth anniversary celebrations and Cust marked its opening with the opening of a new pavilion. SYDENHAM CLUB About 100 bowlers attended the opening of the Sydenham Club where the guest speaker was the Mayor (Mr G. Manning). Mr Manning recalled the severe trouncing the Sydenham club gave the City Council in their annual fixture. Mr Turner Smith, president of the Christchurch Bowling Centre, congratulated the club on its successes in centre tournaments and- presented C. T. Bateman and H. Deavoll with their certificates for the centre's open pairs last season. Other speakers were Mr J. D. Bitchell (club president), Cr. W. E. Olds (City Council), and Mr J. K. Smith (New Zealand Bowling Council). The first kitty was thrown by Mrs E. E. Langley, wife of a member of 39 years standing and the first bowl was rolled by Mrs Turner Smith. CUST CLUB Mr M. A. Le Cren (senior vicepresident of the Christchurch bowling centre) represented the centre at the Clust Club’s opening. Mr Le Cren congratulated the club on its new pavilion. With a key handed to him by the building convener and a life-member of the club (Mr K. Gibson/, Mr Le <Cten unlocked the door of the pavilion and declared it open for the use of the members. The green was officially opened by the club's delegate on the centre (Mr W. W. Brough). Other speakers were the president of the club (Mr R. D. Catherwood) and Mr W. H. Gillespie, member of Parliament for Hurunui. The first kitty was thrown by Mrs Catherwood and Mrs S. James, president of the women’s club, delivered the first bowl. HEATHCOTE CLUB For the opening of this club there was a record number of members and friends. The president (Mr S. G. Murray), in welcoming members and visitors, paid a special tribute to the work of the greenkeeper, Mr J. Huddlestone. The season was officially opened by the patron of the club (Mr R. A. Robertson), who presented life membership badges to Messrs G. Morgan, J. Huddlestone, F. Adams, F. Ellis, W. Adams, and W. Porteous. A foundation member of the club, Mr G. Morgan (Timaru), presented the trophies won by members last season.

Miss P. Murray threw the first kitty and Mrs Murray played the first bowl. SOUTHBRIDGE CLUB A good number of bowlers and friends attended the opening of the Southbridge Club. The president (Mr C. Todd) performed the opening ceremony and in his address made special mention of Mr D. Patterson the greenkeeper. Mr Todd said it was through the efforts of Mr Patterson that the green was in excellent order for the opening. Like most country clubs with small memberships the club had to rely on one of its members to keep the green in playing condition. Mr Patterson had been untiring in that work. Also present was the patron of the club (Mr J. Carr), who is over 90. The centre was represented by the club's delegate (Mr H. G. Dailey). Members of both the men’s and women’s sections played games after the first kitty had been rolled by Mr Carr and the first bowl played by Mrs Todd. In general those present were treated to real country hospitality. The other club which opened was Lincoln.