BOWLING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 10, 7 October 1918, Page 7

BOWLING

OPENING OF THE SEASON

NEWTOWN CLUB An assemblage of about ono hundred and fifty, including n largo number of ladies', greeted tlio president of tho Newtown Club, Mr. Goorgo Noble, at tlio opening of the green for rho season on Saturday. In tho course of his remarks the president referred to tlio war aud its much brighter prospects at any time during the five previous openings, and said that there seemed to be good grounds for thinkinp; that his successor in office would have'tlio.'very real -pleasuro of (infilling the club's season with the Empire at peace. (Applause.) Jlr. Nob'lo expressed regret at the loss of several old and nuich-esteemcd members of tho chili during tho recess, mentioning Messrs. J. Telford, S. Alpc, J. J. Flyger, and J. Downey. He then congratulated the club on its past season's record, and trusted that it would again givo ,i good account of itself. Mr. Harry Hanson, vice-president, added a few remarks, and then Mrs. Noble hoisted the club's flag and threw the lirst jack—a silver one, lent for the occasion by Mr. James Brackenridge, sen., who lias again taken up his residence in Wellington. Mr. Noble then declared the green open for the season, but announced that in consequence of the bad run of weather rendering the green so soft play would not ho per-, r.iittcd before next Saturday at the earliest. "God Save tho King" was sting heartily, and cheers were given for tiic Allies and for our own boys at the front. Afternoon tea was served in tho club's social room by Mrs. Noble and the wives of several of the directors aud members, and was much enjoyed. The room was tastefully decorated for the occasion.

KBLBURN OLUB. The Kelburn Club opened tho green for tho season on Saturday, in the presence of a fairly large attendance of members and visitors. The president (Air. T. Gray), in declaring tho green open, stated that tho membership would probably show an increase on last season's, and if the residents of tho- district would look on the club moro a,s a .Kelburn institution it slijr.ild progress far more. Special thanks were duo to the following members: Mr. H. Gannaway, Mr. C. Nichols, Mr. Dempster, Mr. Johnston (secretary), and Mr. Porter (treasurer), and to tho caretaker, Mr. Roberts, for the energy he had displayed in endeavouring to fit tho green for play, tho results of which members would be ablo to judge for themselves. Members wore advised of the installation of the diso balloting system for Saturday play and of the early closing of entries for the club competitions. A verso of tho National Anthem was then sung by those present, after which plaj- was proceeded with, tho green being found to be in very good order, nqtwitustanding Friday's heavy rain.

VICTORIA (MB. At the oponing of the A r ictoria Bowling Club about 200 members and visitors, including a number of ladies, wero present. Among the visitors wore Messrs. D. T. Stuart and B. Molineaux, two of the foundation members of the club, Lieutenant-Colonel Morice, and two rinks of soldier patients from the Victoria Hospital, and representatives of other city clubs. In declaring the green open, tho prosidonfc, Mr. F. J'. Evans, expressed tlto pleasure of the members in receiving their guests, aud in referring to the recent success of the Allied arms in Europe ho extended the sympathies of tho club to tho families of tho.gallant dead. Mr. Evans dispatched'the- first jack and the green was soon filbd with players, who thoroughly enjoyed their game. Afternoon lea arrangements, in the hands of Mrs:. Evans and a committee of Indies, were successful, and under tho direction of Mr. .Colin Campbell several membors of the Scottish Club, with ripe-Major Taylor, danced, reeled, and plaved, adding largely to tho interest of tho afternoon. The sum of fivo guineas was subscribed on the green towards tho Red Cross "Our Day" appeal.

• Mr. Aiurrav. the Wellington Ccntro official bowl tester, has a consignment of nearly a hundred sets of bowls from tho Nelson Centre awaiting testing at the Newtown Club's green. Special efforts have been made by the club s directors to forward the preparation of tlio green, so that the tester can get busy, but unfortunately the weather has" so far prevented him from getting on the green. The opening of the AVellington Bowlin<r Club's season had'to be postponed owing to the bad weather of Friday affecting tho green.

The Hataitai Bowling Chili's green will bo opened lor the. season on Saturday October 12. A special general meeting will bo held at the close of tho play- ,