BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 29, 29 October 1928, Page 3

BOWLS

WOBURN CLUB OPENED A CREDIT TO THE DISTRICT Between two and. three hundred people ■assembled on the new grounds of the Woburn Bowling and Croquet Club on Saturday afternoon to honour its opening, one of the most concrete signs of the progress of the Lower Hutt borough which, for expenditure in building during the year ended April 30 last, came third on‘the list in the Dominion. The club has been granted a twenty-one years’ lease, with the right of renewal for another twenty-one years, at a peppercorn rental, by the Crown, Lands Department, a valuable area of level land opposite the Woburn railway, station and contiguous to the district which is being so rapidly settled on model lines in the Hutt Valley. On this area of land the- club has laid down during the past winter two full-sized croquet lawns and one bowling green and has had erected on the eastern side a comfortable onestory pavilion that will serve the needs of members of both sections of the club for some time to come.

■ The club was opened by the. president, Mr. George Johnson, who said it was a pleasure to see so many visitors present, including so many of his fellow bowlers and some old faces he had known for the best part of his life. To all he gave a hearty welcome. Among the visitors he noticed Mr. S. M. Stone, president of the Dominion Bowling Association, and his old friend Mr. Mar; cus Marks, whom he had known ever since he (the speaker) was a boy at the Government Printing Office. Most of those present knew the history of the club. The green had been laid down last April, and it had taken a lot of very hard work to get it into its present good state. In that connection he wished to express the thanks of the club to Mr. Jones, who had done so much work ever since the inception of the .club. . He also wished to thank Mr. Vivian Riddiford, the patron of the club, who was a sreat sport, and was sure that if the club got into any difficulty he. would coinc to its assistance and give all the help that lay in his power. The plans of the pavilion had been-.prepared by Mr. Fred. Walton, of the Petone club, and that gratuitously. He had also to thank Mr. E. P. Bunny, who was one of the best friends the club had, as it was through him 'they had got nearly everything they wanted. It was impossible for him to say too much in praise of the assistance that had been rendered by Mr. Bunny. Wonderful assistance had been given, too. by various tradespeople in the valley. The pavilion had been erected by two of their members, Messrs. Roundhill nnd Ellis, who had worked night day and day, and that for the cost of the materials only. He also wished to thank the croquet ladies for the series of entertainments they had promoted to make the club possible, and also to express his thanks to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, the Undersecretary, and other well-wishers; to Mr. W. T. Strand, the Mayor of Lower Hutt, whose special aid had made the. club possible, and to the committee, the members of which liad all worked like Trojans. In conclusion the president stated that he had received apologies from the Minister of Lands (Hon. A. D. McLeod). Mr.’Vivian Riddiford, and Mr. T. JI. Wilford. M.P. (who came along later in the afternoon). _ Mr. S. M. Stone, president of the Dominion Bowling Association, on behalf of the bowlers of New Zealand, heartily congratulated the Woburn Bowling and Croquet Club. The opening of a new club was a great event in any district, as it was a sign and symbol of the progress and growth of tlie district. The larger clubs in the city were all full ot members, and those in new districts who wished to partake of the joys of bowling and crouuet had to tako and

start a new green. At Woburn, there was plenty of scope, as it was known that the district had made wonderful strides during the last two years. He was particularly pleased to hear the new club had received so much assistance from the other clubs in the valley. It showed that the real spirit of bowling was not lacking in the Hutt. He trusted the club would have a pleasant season and a successful career, and heartily congratulated the members on having as their first president so able and enthusiastic a bowler as Mr. Johnson. (Applause.) Mr. Marcus Marks, president of the local centre, congratulated everyone on the happy occasion* and welcomed the club to the centre. As Mr. Stone had remarked, it was an excellent thing to have a bowling club in a new district, and it was fitting and proper that such a beaiitiful district should have such an adjunct to add to its many attractions. The lovely green and lawns were a credit to the club. When he was wearing his glasses, he had noticed a couple of weeds, but without them he could see none. Mr. Stone, said Mr. Marks, omitted to mention that this season they were to have in Wellington the greatest tournament ever held in New Zealand, in which would not only be engaged the best players in New Zealand, but the best players in Australia, “so if you young fellows from the Woburn Club come in to watch us, you will see the greatest players in the Southern Hemisphere play. (Laughter.) He joined with the other speakers in wishing the club a happy and prosperous season and career, and trusted that it would not only be ? place for healthy recreation, where one may garner the joy germs of life, but that it will make a name for itself -in the bowling world. A The & president then called on Airs. Johnson to throw the first jack nnd bowl, and also to take the first knock on the Cr A l 'capftal afternoon tea was provided ■ by the ladies associated with the new club, whilst the Hutt Municipal Brass Band played selections on the lawn during the afternoon. . A few heads of bowls were played, but after the heavy rain of the day before, the green was much too heavy for fine play. A few games of croquet were also played. TBOraiES r g J S BT iM B S AN“ s. miscd two trophies, to be Played for by the secretaries and treasurers of the bowling clubs affiliated to the Wellington Centre The games will be pair sames and are to be played on a d ß te_to be arranged, the highest scorers in any of the names to be the winners. The secretnrfes of the Wellington Bowling Club and the Hataitai Club will call the members together (o discuss arrangements. NEWTOWN CLUB. The following players will represent the Newtown Bowling Club in the Pennants " AgMns? r Central.-Home: White, Porter, Castle, Prlddle (s.); Chegwidden, Middlebrook, J. Pollock. Levcstam (s.). Attay. Sloan, Phillips, Grenside, Robbins (sJ, Webster, Culley, A. Hodgson, Marwick (S Against Hataitai—Home: T. Hodgson, Gidfe, Claridge, A. Pollock (s.): Carman. Blenkinsop, Ferguson, Barker (s.). Attay. Trevor, Martin, Haigh, Laughton (s.), Kins- Davis. ML C. Read, Russell (s.). The following players will represent the club in the mid-week- match nsainst.Petone on WednesdayLoasby. Richards, M. Smith, Hunt, (s.); F. E. Green, Crosby, Rough, Powell (s.). WELLINGTON CLUB. The following I’laycys will represent Wellington Bowling Club against Petone Central on Wednesday, at home:—Brice, Haldane, Berry, Lulhaiu (s.); A. Bennett, Mentiplay, Cresswell, Innes-Jones (s.). Against Island Bay, on Saturday next:— At home: M’alls, Fotheringham, McKenzie, Fairway (s.); Bedford, A.MJohnson, Ramsay, Gooder (s.); Blundell, D. McLean. Erskine, N. McLean (s.); Davy, Blake, Manley, Dempsey ; Gilby, w. Miller, Houldsworth, Duncan (s); Donovan, Parton, Dustin, O’Donnell (s.); Gilkison, Waters, Petersen, Wylie (s.). At Island Bay: A. Bennett, Ledger, Tregonnlng, Glendlnning (s); Garland, Waddel, Parkhouse, E. J. Hill (s.) ;W. H. Bennett, Chote, Wilkinson, Potter (s.); Davidson, Brinsden, Gyles, Burgess (s.); Simpson, Reid. Lindsay, Dimmock (s.): Iles, ‘Tanner, Davies, Hodd (s.): Phelps, It. Roberts, Liddle, M’arwlck (s.). Against Seatoun, du Saturday next:— At Home: Murdock. Wrluht. LonomMA. J

Lulham (s.); Morrali, Mentiplay, Berry, J. Roberts (s.); Pllmmer, Martin, A. Marshall, G. Brown (s.)McKeivic, Churchward, Goldfinch, McArthur (s.). At Seatoun: Jeffries. Allen, Cresswell, Innls (s.): Provost, K. Thompson. InnesJones, W. Thompson (s.); llidler. T Couper, G. Hill (s.); Cray, Gallio, Hrfdla-. atone, Mayer (aj,