BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2897, 9 October 1916, Page 11

BOWLS

;— OPENING OF THE SEASON _ The fact that three of-tho big city dubs and quo suburban club opened their greens oit Saturday may bo saJ3to constitute that day to be tho real opening of tho bowling season of 191(5-17 in. Wellington. ■ The weather was far ; from promising during the morning, ,- tho'sky being overcast and with rain, which fell softly up till midday. Still, it was decided to go on with tlio several functions arranged, and tlio wisdom of that decision was tio'nie out By tlio weather, which merged into a'quiet,.'warm, grey afternoon, that' was not at all unpleasant. In- ' deed, though the rain had fallen gently throughout tho morning, play took place on each_ of the greeiis, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all who participated.- .The lady friends of the bottlers. top, turned out in force, to add, a of glad colour to tho proceedings. .WELLINGTON CLUB. There was a very, largo attendance on the Wellington Club's beautiful green, where .tho throng of players and visitors of both' sexes was most pleasantly entertained throughout th© afternoon, thanks to the courteous, thoughtful officials, and tho many ladies who assisted ip; serving a 'most delectable afternoon tea.The green- was declared open by the , president (Mr. Wm. Berry), who cordially welcomed, visitors. He regretted to say that since their annual meeting in Juno two of their members bad passed to the Great Bayond._ They tare Messrs. C. Palli6er and Waddell, two members who were held in great regard for their geniality and. manly qualities. Their deaths, would be a great Joss,to tho dub and to tho bowling community of uie city generally: ane coming season would -bo a very Important one. • Tho Council of tlio i)oihinion fowling Association had decided to hold its fourth annual tournament in this-city. Others had been held in Dunedin,. Auckland, and Christchurch, and had been very pnjoyable aaul - successful . gatherings. On this occasion-it was proposed:to,devote the ' proceeds to patriotic pur- ' •poses, and it devolved on AVellington bowlers to make it a record tournament. Already donations, had been . made to the entertainment fund, at' a ; recent informal meeting of members, at w,bich each member donated not less than /a,., guinea.,, V- (Applause.)-'. . For ' the last two years an appeal had been ' made to niembers for patriotic pur- ■ poses, ana this year the.v ~ were J making an appeal for tho Soldiers' 1 Christmas Gift Fund. Already a sum ' of £60 had been subscribed, and mem- ' bers who had not, contributed would, 1 he .knew, contribute liberally to' that I 'fund, which deserved their hearty' sup-. } port. (Applause.) He then called upon ] .Miss Berry tp throw the first jack and s bowl, and declared the greens open for c the season. Cheers wore given for the f club, ana. three ringing cheers for the 1 brave _ boys at tho front. I

During the afternoon a friendly con(te3t was played between rinks representing the president and vice-presi-dent, resulting in a win for the vicepresident's representatives by 160 to 117 points.' ,': ! ; A"string band, under the direction of M'Comish, played enlivening music on the balcony throughout the afternoon. : VICTORIA. CLUB. , A very pleasant afternoon was spent by tho members of the Victoria Bowling Chib on-, Saturday,-'■ when' the green was opened for . tlio season. Xlio president.(Mr.. ]yiarcus Marks) .-wel- ' coined' 7 the-yisit'ors.;;''Mr. :; feelingly of. tlie late Mr.'J. 'Avory, .Who was a valued membor of the. cluh for •many years. In wishing the-members a happy and successful season, tho president referred, to the -fact that .tho big tournament .was' to bo hold here during the season, and promised' to be the largest on record. After calling for cheers for tho .ladies and the boys at the front, he asked Miss Marks to throw tlio firet jack, and declared-the season open. ' A pleasant game was enjoyed during the afternoon, the green playing admirably, and at a break in the play tho ladies dispensed afternoon tea. Tho secretary (Mr. F. Evans) reports that four now [members wore elected, and satisfactory entries .are being receivod for the tournament ■to be played on Labour, Day. ; HATAITAI CLUB. The Hataitai Club's green was opened for the sea6oii on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large number of members- and. friends. ..Mr. . James Kinniburg (president) briefly welcomed tho visitors, and regretted that tho rain which had fallen, during the morning had mado the green too soft, to play on'. ' He thanked . the ladies who wore assisting the : club in. their customary happy manner,' arid referred to the season being -a notable one, as the big tournament was to bo held here, in January. Mrs. Kinniburg threw the first jack, and tho..season -wasduly opened. Cards and afternoon. tea filled in tho aftornooii'pleasurably! NEWTOWN CLUB. ' ' Notwithstanding the uncertainty of tho weather, a very large assemblage of club niembers and visitors, including many ladies, greeted Mr.-C. M. Luke, the club's president, at tho opening of tlio Newtown Club's green for the season on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Luke extended the club's sincerest sympathy to all those who had trouble come upon tlieni in consequence of tlie war, and to thoso members who had suffered bereavement during" the recess. The presidont heartily -thanked, the ladies for attending to the afternoon tea, and also Miss Caterer for the'very effective decorating of the tea-room, and he called on Mrs. Luke to throw the-first "jack" of tlw season, and Mrs. G. Scott,, wife of tho vice-president, to hoist the club's flag and senior pennant, following upon which Mr. Luke declared tho seasoii 1916-17 open, amidst the hearty differs of-the assemblage. Play till 5 p.m. was indulged in between teams chogen to represent the president and vice-president, and when the scores were added up tho Tcsnlt was as it should be on such a.fcstivo occasion—a win for the chief. Afternoon tea was served in the social room by the wives of the directors. Six new members were elected during the afternoon, but tho club has still a few. vacancies. •