BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 23, 22 October 1917, Page 7

BOWLS

OPENING OF THORNDON CLUB'S GREEN i

Tho weather was bright and breezy for the opening, of the Thorndon Bowling Club's green on. Saturday afternoon. The green was looking particularly well, and nubsequent play showed tnat it ran just ns well and truly as it looked. In opening tho season, the president, Colonel 11. J. Collins, C.M.G., warmly welcomed the visitors and the large number of ladies who were present. Twenty-five years ago, . ho said, tho Thorndon Club had been established, and since then, like other clubs, it had had its ups and downs, but the position was now very satisfactory as far ae members of funds went, for the past year the green had been in a bad state, and some of their mombers had left them, as they naturally liked a good green to play upon; there were those, however, who, as sportsmen, might have stuck to tho club, but they had skipped away to skip on ■ other greens, where their talent had not received tho recognition which had been denied them on the Thorndon green. (Laughter and applause.)t> This season they had a fine green, and for that great credit was due to their caretaker (Hr. Horswood), who lad been at work literally night and day, with a result that they all felt proud of, and they felt that in Mr. Horswood they had the right man in ..tie right place. (Applause.) When they, had met last year they had hoped that the great war iVould have been over by this, and that the efforts of the Allies would;.; have overcome the enemy, but those hopes had not been realised. They had every reason to. be proud of the work their boys were doing at the front; the cablegram that were being published daily showed of what stuff tho .Now Zealand boys were made. Hauy of their members were in- , eluded in the t Second Division, and ho felt sure that when the time camo they would go forward to their duty as those had done who had gone before them. They had to mourn the joss 6i many friends, and many of their members had lost near relatives 'and friends through the war, and with them they all sincerely sympathised. They could only hope that the war would soon end, and that those who were left alive woulfl come back 6afe and sound to their friends aiiil relatives in New Zealand. With such a fino green tho club would resume the friendly matches and would encourage friendly rather than pennant matches, though they would participate in the latter. Hβ then called upon his granddaughter (Mies Margaret Collins) to throw the first jack. Cheers were then, given for tho boys at tho front and the president. Play was indulged in throughout the afternoon, and all who participated declared the green to bo in oapital trim. A ploasant break was made half-way through tho afternoon to partake of tea, which was served with the assistance of a number of Thorndon ladies. KHANDALLAH CLUB. The Kliandallah Club was formally opened for Iho season on Saturday nfternoon in line weather. Mr. . JOdward Cowlcs, in opening the green, welcomed the numerous visitors most heartily, and expressed the hope that the season would be a successful one. He. made feeling reference to the death of Mr. Herbert Kirkcaldic, of Khandallah, and niwlo tho suggestion that the club ehould mako » point of inviting returned soldiers oiu (o l.ha green as much a.< possible, * sentiment which was warmly applauded. Ho then called upon Mrs. Roden Plininier (wifo of the secretary) to throw tho fiftl jack. In the ensuing, play rinks representing tho To Hiwi, AVollintston, .Tohnsonville, Seatoun, Polono Municipal, and Lower Hutt Clubs wero _. prosont. 'Che visitors also included a rink from tho Army Ordnance Department, Buckle During tho afternoon tea was; served, the ladies of Khandallah presiding most hosnitably. KELBTJRN CLUB. The Kelburn green was opened on Saturday The weather can hardly be sam to have been propitious, but bowlers are not easily daunted, especially atter six months' abstinence from their favourite game. ' The president of the club (Hr V Meadowcroft) is temporarily absent in England. .The duty of welcoming visitors, therefore, Jell to Mr T. Gray, the vice-president. Before closing his remarks, Hr. Gray took the opportunity to prosont to Messrs. h. u feannaway and F. .7. Oakes a -pipe each as a slight token of the appreciation or members of their most. vatuabl<.work during tho winter recces in oftecting improvements in the Pavilion and bringing the green to its present condition.