GREEN ISLAND BOWLING

Evening Star, Issue 22620, 12 April 1937, Page 1

GREEN ISLAND BOWLING

CLUB'S JUBILEE CELEBBATIONS FIFTY YEARS OF ACTIVITY The Green Island Bowling Club celebrated the fiftieth anniversary- of its inauguration on Saturday evening with a successful smoke concert, attended by a largo number of past and present members. Mr Lindsay Miller occupied the chair and, after extending a welcome to Mr Edwin Green, one of the foundation members, he read apologies from four others—Messrs John Loudon, Joseph Loudon, D. Waters, and H. L. Darton. The toast of “ The Dominion Council and the Dunedin, Centre ” was proposed by Mr W. A. Smellie, who said the Dominion Council had done yeoman service in the cause of bowling in New Zealand. The Dunedin Centre, with which the club was more closely associated, had also done a great deal to develop the sport. Any matter brought before the centre met with a sympathetic hearing. Members perhaps took as a matter of course the things done for them by these bodies, but he urged them to consider what a help these organisations were to them. Mr W. Connor, a member of the New Zealand Bowling Association, responded to the toast and conveyed greetings from Hon W. E. Parry, M.P., and from the Now Zealand Bowling Association. The association, he said, had sometimes to settle disputesj but he was pleased to say the majority of the disputes had little relation to Dunedin clubs. Mr J. Hinton, on behalf of the Dunedin Bowling Centre, recalled several episodes during the early years of the club. He considered that a bowling club was one of the greatest social assets any community could have. It fostered a wonderful spirit amongst members of a community. He offered his congratulations to the club on the attainment of its jubilee, and wished the members every future success.

Mr A. Smellie proposed the toast of the foundation members of the Green Island Club. Mr John Blair, he said, one-time schoolmaster at Fairfield, had been, perhaps, the founder of the club. Men associated with him who had since carried on his work were Messrs Leary, Duncan, Waters, John and Joseph Loudon, Darton, Green, and Dr Watt. Ho urged members to remember the great work these pioneer howlers had accomplished. The club was indebted to and proud of these men. He related many humorous incidents concerning the early years of the club’s existence. Mr Edwin Green, replying, regretted that more of the foundation members were not present. Most of them had passed on, but in their ladies’ club there still remained a dozen- active members. The foundation members congratulated Mr Lindsay Miller on his election as a life member of the, club. It was unanimously agreed that. Mr Miller was a member who bad accomplished much during the lifetiriio. of their club. Mr Green related many incidents pertaining to the club’s opening years, and these incidents proved of ranch interest. One of his early recollections during the club’s history was the occasion when the club’s rink played a tie with a rink in which were included the redoubtable Christie brothers. The heartiest wishes for the club’s welfare concluded Mr Green’s reply.

The toast of “ The Green Island Bowling Club ” was proposed by Mr R. Hanning, who said there were not many clubs in New Zealand that could claim a longer existence. The Green Island Club was always welcome on other greens as it was recognised that its members were most sportsmanlike. The club had produced a great bowler in Mr Ernest Harraway, probably one of the best skips ever seen in New Zealand. Another member, Mr D. Fastier, had proved himself a great student of the game. Mr Lindsay Miller, replying to the toast, gave a resume 6f the club’s activities since its inception. The Green Island Tennis Club, he said, had preceded them in their jubilee by two years. In 1887 Mr John Blair established the club and in 1888 the club joined the New Zealand Bowling Association, and proposals for the enlargement of the green were immediately set in train. During the 50 years of the club’s existence they had had 26 presidents and 12 secretaries, and it could not be doubted that every one of these officers had in some way contributed to the proud position the club now held. Mr J. Mathieson proposed the toast of “ The Past Presidents,” which was replied to by Mr Herbert Harraway and Mr W. Murie. “ Sister Clubs ” was proposed by Mr W. T. Smellie and replied to by Mr J. W. Scurr and Mr J. Kirkland. “ The Borough of Green Island was proposed by Sir J. C. Lindsay and replied to bv Mr J. A. M'Ahan. The following musical programme was generally enjoyed : —Songs—Sir J. Mathesou, Sir J. C. M'Clymont Sir W Connor, Sir Leslie Burke, Mr J. ±l. Hinton, Sir H. Smellie, Sir Lindsay Miller.