BOWLING

Evening Star, Issue 20303, 11 October 1929, Page 14

BOWLING

[By Measurer.]

Under the best of conditions a start was made with the 1929-30 season cm Saturday afternoon, when ten clubs opened proceedings. Bright sunshine and no wind made for enjoyment, and the scores of bowlers who took part had a real good afternoon. By the courtesy of tho touring council and centre officials tho writer was able to journey with them to half a dozen of the greens, and on each a full muster enjoyed themselves to the utmost. On only one green —at Dunedin Club—was _ there any specchmaking by the visiting officials; ■but tho compliment of the visit was fully appreciated everywhere. The travelling party comprised Mr C. J. Payne (president of tho Dominion Association), Mr J. J. Marlow, Mr D. C. Cameron (president of Dunedin Centre), Mr R. Hanning (secretary), and Mr R. H. Ledlie (Dunedin Centre Executive). On Dunedin green there was a very largo attendance. The usual complete arrangements had been made for the success of tho function, and with tho well-known green in splendid order those fortunate enough to find a place made a good start. The few speeches made were short and to tho point. President J. M'Crao’s remarks were in happy vein. Fifty-seven years ago Dunedin Club had started its career, he said, and only three of the original members were now with them—Sir James Mills, Mr P. C. Neil, and Mr Alex. Bathgate. But several very old members were present, among them Mr G. T. Young and Mr H. F. M. Mercer. Mr M‘Crao gave credit to Mr Alex. Steel (green supervisor) and the greenkeeper for the splendid condition of the green. After Air C. J. Payne had wished tho club success and acknowledged the council’s indebtedness for many courtesies, lie alluded specially to the great work done on the executive by one of its members, Air A. J. Sullivan; also to the services of another of its members, Air J. C. Whitolaw. Air D. C. Cameron also made a few happy remarks, complimenting the club on its willingness to assist the centre at all times. Then, after Air AFCrae had sent up the first howl, as many as possible gob on to the green and had a good time. Lady friends were most attentive.

At Otago green tiiere was a very large attendance, Mr Allan Young, the president, extending a hearty welcome to all. He said lie saw a good season ahead, as there were many new members and the club had • an excellent green, thanks to Mr W. Thompson (greenkeeper) and Mr D. Hose (green supervisor). Lady friends looked after the refreshment department, and music supplied by a capable orchestra made time pass most pleasantly. Mr A. Campbell, president of Northeast Valley Club, welcomed a large attendance, which filled the green. Enjoyable play followed, and lady friends wore attentive at afternoon tea time. In the evening a card party was held, finishing a good day’s entertainment. At Caversham President J. Forster welcomed a very large number of visitors. The green was in fine condition, and promises to bo one of the best during the coming season. The work done by members themselves during the recess in the way of painting the fences, improving seating accommodation, etc., was notable. There is now far more room to walk around the paths, and altogether the most has been made of the club’s rather limited area. _ Evidently a spirit of progress animates Caversham Club members, and a good season should bo ahead for them. West Harbour had a good number of visitors, whom Mr Venn (president) made very welcome. The usual game President v. Vice-president was played, and lady friends dispensed afternoon tea. The plucky little harbour club made quite a good start. Kaituna Club’s grocij looked its very best, recalling memories of some years ago, when it challenged comparison with any in the dominion. The attendance was very large, and Dr K. Ross (president) made an appropriate speech of welcome. The club’s lady friends looked after visitors well, and the success of the opening function was undoubted. At Kaikorai, too, there were many visitors, who had the pleasure of playing on a good green. Mr N. Stewart (president) expressed his pleasure at seeing so many present, and wished them all a pleasant time. Every effort was made in this direction, lady friends assisting greatly. lloslyn green is always pleasant to play upon, and it is doubtful whether it over looked better than at the present time. Those fortunate enough to play on it last Saturday thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The attendance was large, and Mr S. Lawn (president) said he was very pleased to sec them, and trusted that they would enjoy themselves. Everything was done to make the timo pass pleasantly. lady friends doing all they could to that end. Taieri Club had quite a largo contin-. gent of town visitors, whom Mr _E. M'Pheat welcomed very heartily. With characteristic hospitality all were made to feel at home, and the club’s lady friends maintained their reputation when the liberal refreshments were dispensed. Many of Taieri, Club’s old stalwarts (including W. Carswell) were seen getting their hand in. Mornington green looked very pretty, the beautiful flowering cherry tree at the back ,of the green having a striking effect as one entered the gate. Under the pleasant conditions and surroundings the visitors had a pleasant afternoon, with plentiful refreshments dispensed by lady friends. President E. Paten welcomed the visitors in cordial fashion, and his hope that a pleasant time would be spent was fulfilled. The ladies also have made a start. On Tuesday afternoon Miss A. Gray welcomed a" large number of visitors at North-east Valley green. Mr C. J. Payne (president of the Dominion Bowling Association) was there, and thanked the Valley lady players and members of other ladies’ clubs for their support at different social functions, and solicited their services for the coming association tournament. Mr H. Rowley spoke for the centre. Afternoon tea and a pleasant game provided a good afternoon’s enjoyment. The ladies’ section at Caversham opened for the season on Tuesday. Visitors were present from surrounding clubs and the governing body, and with the local players had a six-rink game on a good green. Mrs J. Warrington (president) welcomed visitors and new members, and Mrs G. Adess (vicepresident D.L.8.A.), Messrs J. C. Whitelaw and R. Hanning (D.8.C.) conveyed greetings. _ Mr J. Forster (president men’s section) wished the club every success, and rolled the first bowl. . , On Wednesday the Kaikorai ladies were favoured with beautiful weather for their opening. Many ladies from other clubs were present, and Mrs J. D. Clyde told them they were very welcome. The president of the men’s section, Mr N. Stewart, wished the ladies the best of luck, and an enjoyable game and afternoon tea followed. •\n invitation to the opening ceremony of Leith Ladies’ Club next Wednesday is acknowledged. To-morrow Balmacewen, Leith, and Green Island Clubs commence; and on the following Saturday St. Clair, at. Kilda, Port Chalmers, Caledonian, and Anderson’s Bay are to get going. After that the season may bo considered as well under way. Caversham Winter Club concluded a most successful season on Saturday night. The room was gay with the afternoon decorations, and a record crowd thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Eighteen tables were needed for cards, and the prize-winners were Mesdames Lock, Bateman, M'Caskill, Messrs Cole, Beecroft, Knox, and Beveridge. Mr J. Leech provided the programme of music, songs being given by Misses M'Millan and M‘Curdy, and Messrs T. White, M. Peake, and Leech, with Mrs Leech at the piano. The evening closed with the customary choruses, and a'special vote of thanks to the ladies for providing such a fine wind-up. Rose Bay Club, Sydney, only six years old is out of the ordinary in several respects. The last annual repprt shows a membership of 116, so it is strong enough numerically.. But a few items set out on the balance-sheet are worthy of mention. For instance, on the expenditure side £225 is set down for rent, £430 12s for wages, and £l2l 11s 9d for maintenance of greens, and yet a credit of close on £4O was carried over. How this is done is explained by the four items which appear on the income side; Subscriptions, £532 6s; competition entrance fees, £l6 2s 6d; dry canteen profit, £329 los 4d; net proceeds from bowlers’ ball, £6l 13s 6d, making a total of £939 17s 4d Mr C. H. Hughes, pleasantly remembered by Kaituna Club members and many others, was elected president for . tire third sue-

cessivo year. Rose Bay Club members know a good officer when they get him. For the recent singles championship of England, just concluded, there were 3,622 contestants. The winner was Captain Colquhoun, who defeated E. Gudgeon in a sensational final by 21 to 20. New South Wales soon will be able to boast of having no fewer than 117 clubs, while Victoria now has 178 clubs—lo 6 in the country and 72 in the metropolis (writes “Exoelite ”_in Sydney ‘News ’). The great increase in the nopularity of the game in the southern State, particularly in the country, is remarkable. New South Wales has 40 metropolitan clubs, while the country, with 8 clubs in, course of formation, totals 77<