ELDERLY BOWLERS

Evening Star, Issue 22573, 15 February 1937, Page 5

ELDERLY BOWLERS

ANNUAL DAY AT DUNEDIN GREEN STORMY WEATHER PREVENTS PLAY Unfortunately, stormy weather conditions prevented the usual games being played on Elderly Bowlers’ Day, the twenty-third celebration of which was held at the Dunedin Club’s pavilion on Saturday afternoon. Those present, however, spent a thoroughly enjoyable time in reminiscence and in renewing friendships. The oldest bowler present was Mr Alexander Kilgour (Balmacewen), aged 88 years, and there were several others present whose years numbered more than four score. The average individual age was 75 i years. Offering a welcome to the elderly bowlers on behalf of the Dunedin Club, Mr T. Scurr (president) said that, although thev had been unfortunate in the weather, they were fortunate in having such a fine gathering to honour the old-established custom of the club of holding Elderly Bowlers’ Day. Ihis custom, which had been inaugurated by Mr Hector Mercer, was one of the happiest inspirations of his work for the club, and grew more popular as the years went by. Mr J. Hinton (president of- the Ota"0 Centro) remarked that Elderly Bowlers’ Day was one of the functions which appealed most to all bowlers, whether they were young or old, and he was pleased to extend the congratulations and good wishes of the centre to those present. Elderly bowlers were either those who had grown up ■ with the game or those atho had taken to playing in later yea" in life, and who probably regretted the lost opportunities for its enjoyment—and for this reason he thought that the title was a more felicitous one than the suggestion of Veterans’ Day. To the elderly bowlers who had been playing for many years the centre and the clubs owed much, for they had borne trying conditions and laid the foundations of the magnificent greens which Dunedin today enjoyed. Their work should Iks recognised" and honoured by the younger bowlers. Mr W. A. Scott,' representing the mavor, after referring to the popularity of the function, mentioned the valuable service which the late Mr Mercer had given to the sport of bowls, and said he was pleased that the Dunedin Club was preserving his memory by associating that name with Elderly Bowlers’ Day. Mr J. J. Marlow, whom the president of the Dunedin Club described as- “ the grandfather of bowling,” remarked that the name “ Elderly Bowlers’ Dav ” was more comprehensive than the suggested alternative of Veterans’ Day,” since there w'ere many elderly bowlers who were not veterans. He also referred to the valuable work of Mr Mercer, and complimented the Dunedin Club on undertaking the annual celebration of Elderly Bowlers’ Day. which was a fitting perpetuation of Mr Mercer’s memory. The lady members of the Dunedin Club assisted in making the fixture a pleasant and successful one, for they dispensed afternoon tea. After this games of billiards, cards, and other amusements were played, while other visitors indulged in general conversation. Although the condition of the greens did not allow of any play taking place, rinks had been arranged for the players, and in the majority of cases the aggregate ages of the members of the rinks totalled more than 300 years, the highest total being 323. The average indi-

vidual age was 751 years. The following are details of the rinks that were arranged:— . T. Al'Crorie, F. VV. Knight, F. W. Hoddinott, J. Radcliffe (Kaituna)— 312 years; E. Rosevear, J. B. Frame, AV. Smith, AV. H. Adams (Dunedin Club’s past presidents)—3o2. T. Dallas, T. AI. Gillies. J. it‘Connell, C. Beasley (Otago)—2B7; H. Hagen, D. Gillespie, A. Kilpatrick, J. Denholm (St. Clair)—3ol. . J. Hunter, A. AValker, D. Alune, G. Swift (Caledonian)—3ol; J. H. Matheson, W, R. Don, J. Aloir. F. Farley (llbslyn)—269. J. APConnell, G. Cardno, G. Shand, D. Forrester (Caversham; —307; A. Selby, R. M'Kinlay, AV. Briggs, A. Martin (Dunedin) —299. , A. J. Gall. J, MTntosb, G. Clafk, James Waddell (Anderson’s Bay)— 305; J. McLennan, W. APKenzie, L. Tuckey, S. Burgess (Caledonian)—3o6. J. Watson, J. Murray, J. Knewstubb, J. da Costa (Port Chalmers)—3o2; AI. Malonev (Anderson’s Bay), Colin APKenzie (Caledonian), J. Bell and R. Thompson (Alornington) —292. I. Stevenson, T. Harrison (Port Chalmers), J. Murray, AI. Higgins (Dunedin)—3o6; F. G. Cummings, A, Kilgour (Balmacewen), T. Hammond (AA’arepa), and H. AV. Gamble (Phoenix, Oamaru) —323. J. Rhodes, D. Lunan, F. Hilgendorf, J Tonkin (North-east Valley)—293; AA’. Barker. F. Burrows, AV. Dryden, AA'. Ross (Leith) —303. AV. Grirasdale, J. Kay. D. APKay (Leith), C. H. AA’estficld (Otago)— 301; J. Sotting, J. Whitelaw (Dunedin), R. Thompson, J. Tapp (Green Island) —302.