THE BRITISH BOWLERS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 88, 8 January 1926, Page 10

THE BRITISH BOWLERS

ENTERTAINED AT PALMERSTON (By Telegraph—Resident Reporter.) Palmerston North, January 7. A brisk aud happy day for tho British bowlers was brought to a successful termination with a smoke concert tendered 'by the Manawatu Bowling Centro to-night. Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., presided, and on his right sat Mr. G. Wright, captain of the visiting team, while on his left were Messrs. Wake (manager), Husband, Thomas and Millar, captains of the Scotch, Welsh and Irish divisions respectively. Tn proposing the toast, "Success to Bowling,” Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., expressed his great pleasure at being able to welcome the visitors to tho district. Visits of the kind tended to strengthen the ties between New Zealand and the Motherland. He expressed tho hope that tbo visit would be a forerunner of many others. What had been done by the Rugby football game might also be done by 'bowls. It was a pleasure to see tho rapid growth of bowls in tho Dominion, every town and most townships now having their own greens. When the visitors again camo to tho country lie hoped to be playing against them.

Tn responding. Mr. R. W. Shallcrass, secretary of the Wellington Centre, said the success of the game was assured. New Zealand alone having over 15,000 players. He hoped that the day would come when they would have an international organisation of bowlers to further the game throughout the Empire. If maintained as a social game it was sure to progress. The chairman, in proposing a toast to the visitors, expressed regret at tho brief stay of the bowlers. The visit would serve to strengthen the tics of friendship between Britain and New Zealand. Lord Burnham had recently said that the Dominion was the most British of all the countries he had visited, and it was hoped the present visitors would share that opinion. Mr. Cohen supplemented the chairman’s remarks, and said it was sometimes painful to learn how little the Old Country knew of New Zealand, and he thought that visits from British sportsmen went a long way towards advertising tho country. Mr. Harding suitably responded. They hud come here not only as bowlers, but as ambassadors. They could not teach New Zealanders how to bowl, but could say that they had met great sportsmen, had seen remarkable scenery, and that a fortune awaited young men willing to work. Ho had been struck by tho remarkable loyalty of New Zealanders. The toast of the municipality was proposed by Mr. Husband, who commented on the progressive spirit not only of the borough, but the whole Dominion. Local bodies were not afraid to borrow, and planned for future generations. The deputy-Mayor (Mr. Graham) responded. Tho Indies who aro accompanying tho team were entertained by Mrs. Nash at her home. Mr. Shallcrass, secretary of the Wellington Centre, arrived to-night, and will accompany the team to Wellington on the Main Trunk express to-morrow.