BOWLING TOURNAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 12722, 27 January 1906, Page 5

BOWLING TOURNAMENT.

SUCCESSFULLY ENDED. During four and a-balf defys of the week ending to-day 1,404 matches at bowls have been played on the different greens in. the City-tournament matches all of them. There were 486 rink matches, 774 doubles, and 144 singles, or an average of 512 games per day. When these figures are looted at it is not hard to realise that the New Zealand Bowling Association’s tournament just closed was a record one for Australasia. That tournament and the management of it, have been praised enough already, and all we need do is to express our concurrence in the general opinion. Yesterday, as it turned out, was the best day of the week that could have been chosen for “ladies’ day,” and the ladies appreciated it by attending numerously and fascinatingly. Kaituna Green is a pretty place at any time, but when it is thronged by pretty girls in pretty dresses, that rustle and show bright colors in the sunlight, it has new charms. Ladies’ day was altogether successful, and everybody is to be congratulated. In this connection the services of Herr Paul Sonderhofa band, which was on the green during the afternoon, should be mentioned.

At the oomdusiQn of the “ladies’ day” match, ‘ The bonnie banks o’ Kaituna,’ a parody by Mr A. H. Crawford on the song ‘The Ronnie banks o’ Loch Lomond,’ was sung by Mr G. B. Dali and a chorus of bowlers.

BOWLERS’ SMOKE CONCERT. The bowlers’ smoke concert—that altogether satisfying termination of tournaments, where restraints are tossed into tb© ditch and the only bowl is a bowl of good cheer—happened at the Garrison Hall in the evening. Perhaps all the several hundred bowlers who have been, playing 1,404 games of bowls a day during the week were not there, but a great many of them were, and they enjoyed themselves. It was a bowlers’ night—even to the singing, for all the singers were bowlers- I —and in every way it was successful. Mr C. J. Payne, president of the N.Z.8.A., was in the chair.

The Chairman welcomed all bowlers present, and asked them to mate themselves at home. He read a telegram from Mr J. C. Matbeson, lost years president of the Association, in which he apologised for ids inability to be present, and wished all a jolly time and a happy new year. He (that is, the chairman) was determined that there should be no long speeches, and he urged everybody to assist him in the fulfilment of this resolve. After the customary loyal toast,

The Chairman proposed the toast of “ The Northern Bowling Association.” In doing so ho said that, whatever there might, have been in tlio past, there were certainly the friendliest feelings existing now between the two Associations. Important matters were to oorae forward shortly ini connection with both Associations, and be was sure that they won! cl he dealt with in the. most friendly manner by rifi. true howlers. They must feel it an honor that the Northern Bowling Association had suggested to them to nm the big exhibition ton moment next year jointly between the two Associations, —(Applause,) The feeding existing now between the two (bodies must continue, and everybody with the true interests of bowling at heart would be pleased to know that these feelings existed. He could not say too much in favor of the Northern Bowling Association; but as he bad the duty cast upon him of seeing that no long speeches were made, he could not make one himself. He coupled with the toast the name of Mr Yeitch, president of the Wellington; Club. Mr Veitch, in reply, gave has thanks for the heartiness of the toast.. The Northern Association, he said, desired closer union with their Southern brethren. They all hoped that the consideration of important matters already referred to might be only the beginning of a new and belter state of things than had existed in the past.—(Applause.) He hoped to see a larger number of Southern bowlers at the next Northern tournament, and he promised them a beating and a good time. The next toast, was that, of “The New Zealand Bowling Association,” which was proposed by Mr J. Geddia He thought the Association, were doing a good work for the colony in proclaiming sod propagating the gospel of, bowls. In explanation of Ins statement, he urged that the game of bowls was a. cultivator of good-temper and manliness. .Bowls was a dean, sport; tint was their greatest pride,—(Applause.) Also, the game produced good-fellowship. On the part of the men who had ted the privilege of coming South to play at these tournaments there was a strong feeling of comradeship. He paid the wannest tribute to the president, and more particularly to the secretary, Mr R. T. Wheeler. There was a strong feeling in the North that there should be a combined Association, coterminous with the colony itself. Tins need not mean the abolishing of the present New Zealand Assodaftioru, but rather tiwvdoia»-

tion of a sort of supreme tribunal to arrange periodic tournaments North, and South. With the toast he coupled the name of Mr M. Brown, vice-prasideat of the N.Z.B.A. -

Mr Brown, in reply, returned hearty thanks, and said that they in the South reciprocated the feelings of the Northerners. The best thing that could happen for bowling was the continuance of these periodic visits of representatives from one island to the otU?r.

After this the prizes won during the tournament were presented, amid great enthusiasm.

Other toasts were " The Winners” (proposal by Mr Pester Miller and responded to by Mr G. K Prince), “The Losers” (proposed by Mr J. Hain and responded to by Mr W. C. Alhratt), “The Secretary” (proposed l by Dr Thomas and to % Mr R: T. Wheeler), "Tho President” (proposed l by Mr M. Brown and responded to by Mr C. J. Payne), “The Ladies” (proposed by Mr R. p. Smith and responded to by Mr D. MTherson), and The Press.”

A NOTE OP APPRECIATION. The following, from the. President of the tSowimg Association, explains itself;

rru t - -y January 27. j. j tournament just completed received such assistance and sunport front your paper that I wish to take (he opportunity of expressing my thanks to you. The reports given were very full and accurate, and refiect great credit on those of your staff who had (he work m hand- lam sure all bowlers will agree with me that the interert taken in the last tournament was in a large measure due to the efforts of the local Pres in bringing bowling to the notice of the public. I feel it only just to let you know that your good work in the interests of bowling has been appreciated, C. J. Patnk.