BOWLS,

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 319, 5 October 1908, Page 9

BOWLS,

OPENING OF THE SEASON. FUNCTION AT THE WELLINGTON CLUB'S GREEN. After a month of aggravatingly fine Saturdays, with ivory bowler itching to tread the soft green mat of tho bowling rink, it must rain on Saturday last, tho date fixed for tho opening of tlic season as far as tho Wellington Club was concerned. It was gentle, considerate rain, however, with nothing malevolent in its constitution, and though it continued to come down in spots until after midday, it had the grace to hold off during the afternoon. A few made up their minds that the event would-be postponed, but there was a very largo attendance of both sexes, and the handsome redbrick pavilion, with its crowded balconies, made a pretty picture in contrast with the velvet smoothness of tho greens. At 2.45 p.m. the president (Mr. W. T. Grundy), taking up his position on the grand stairway, said: "Ladies and gentlemen, in tho first instance I wish to extend a hearty welcome to my comrades of the Wellington green, and I trust that this will mean a very good beginning of a very good season. 'So far as the greens arc concerned, I think you will find everything in order, as they have been thoroughly prepared for playing the games to occur during the next few months. I hav-3 also to welcome the members of other clubs who are present, and who I trust will enjoy themselves. Last of all, I have to thank the ladies for coming in such weather and so adding to the pleasure of the day and a zest to the play My friends have told me that the shorter my specch the better it will be, so I shall conclude by calling on my daughter to throw the jack, and in doing so I pronounce the season open." (Applause.)

Miss Grundy tossed the jack 011 the upper green with the skill of an experienced bowler amidst applause, rinks were-formed up, and play began in earnest. It nvas considered too damp to allow of play 011 the lower green, which, however, has never looked in better order. During the afternoon a number of ladies, headed by Mrs. and Miss Grundy, presided over a lavishly-supplied afternoon tea-table ""laid out in tho upper social ball of tho pavilion. The table was charmingly decorated witli red and white flowers (symbolic of the club's colours) arranged with excellent taste. When it was feared that rain would prevent all play, it wa3 decided that an al fresco concert would pass away a pleasant hour, but thero was play, and a concert also, Messrs. E. J. Hill and D. Kenney contributing acceptably. The cighlwink game played was arranged as a President versus Vice-President match, and resulted as follows:— President —Speed, Kelly, Knappc, Moult (s.), 26; Vice-President—Manz, Pollock, Hamilton, M'Glashan (s.), 18. Vice-President — D rummoml, Treebaim, Mayor, Porteous (s.), 29; President —Kenney, Hodgson, Blundell, G. Brown (s.), 12. Vice-President—Drury, Wollerman, H. Price, Bary (s.), 27; President —Evans, Jennings, Gronfell, King (s.), 12. Vice-President—Frost, Wilson, Flewcllyn, Chambers (s.), 28; President —Baird,, Donnelly, Laurenson, : Churchward (s.), 25. Vice-President—W. Fraser, S. S. Brown, Webb,. Bellinger (s.), 20; President —Blake, Jcffery, Laurenson, Bell (s.), 15. President—Cohen, Webb, Parkes, E. J. Hill (s.), 20; Vice-President—l-lustwick, Blake, Still, Barraud (s.), 13. Vice-President—Skinner, Flewell, Mitford, Blanchard (s.), 23; President—Wylie, Plimmcr. Hynms, Thompson (s.), 21. President —Ledger, Adams, Vcitch, Grundy (s.), 1G; Vice-President —Crane, Bennett, Remington, Mentiplay (s.), 12. Totals in tho aggregate—Vice-President, 170; President, M 7. KARORI CLUB. The Karori Bowling Club opened tho season on Saturday. Tho green was in splendid playing order, although a trifle heavy, owing to tho rain. Afternoon tea was dispensed by tho lady friends of members. Tho following games wore played:—E. Spiers, Burn, Henderson, Cooper (s.), IS; Cook, Monaghan, Novcombe, Cox (s.), 21. Roberts. J. Spiers, Sunley, Tu3tin (s.), 12; Catcn, Smith, J. F. Spiers, Bennett (s.), 23. Sinclair, Rigg, Tapliu, Lloyd (s.), 14; Judd, Magnus, Hcmslcy, Drydcn (s.), 13. Crawford, Hope, C. 11. Williams, Lockett (s.), 19: W. J. Williams, G. Eagle, England, Campbell (s.), 21.