BOWLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 234, 11 October 1901, Page 3

BOWLING.

! OPENING OF THE SEASON I A RECORD GATHERING.

i j The Gisborne Bowling Club opened the j season yc-sterday afternoon under most j favorable auspices, the gathering both of | bowlers and spectators being the largest j ever seen on the ground. The weather | was gloriously fine, and everything else : was in keeping. The Club’s grounds, which are always in first-class order, looked particularly attractive yesterday, tlie committee having taken some troubie i.n decorating the place with a number of ; flag's. The fair sex were strongly in | evidence during the afternoon, and | their bright and pretty costumes

j b’ ave the finishing touches to the i scene. The President, Mr W. Pc-ttie, exj tended a hearty welcome to the numerous i visitors, and did everything in his power | to promote- their comfort. A number of j visiting bowlers were present, including | Messrs I. J. Holland and Hoyt, of Auckland, both of whom have taken part in the Association’s tournament matches. Tiie gathering of local bowlers was the largest ever seen on the gu-ouud, and when play started the whole of the green was required to accommodate them. Play was started at half-past two, sides being selec- ) ted by the President, Mr W. Pettie, and ( \ ice-Presidcnt, Mr J. A. Harding. After .» fn,.r U 1 . 1 _ _ 1 .I.

j a few heads were played the opening cere- ! mony took place. I The President IMr W. Pettie) delivered an excellent address to members and visitors. He stated that it afforded him g'reat pleasure to meet so many people, and to oiler them a hearty welcome to their bowling green. He was delighted to j see so many visitors present, and especially j so many ladies. (Hear, hear). lie liopod j the ladies interest would increase during > the season, and they could be assured that j the members of the Club would always be very pleased to see them present on every possible occasion. Mr Pettie said he noticed there were several gentlemen present who were not bowlers, but he trusted that what they saw there that day would arouse their interest, and whon that interest was aroused, that it would

ripen into membership. Bowls was now acknowledged to be one of the most ! popular of Our summer pastimes, He also observed amongst them several visiting bowlers from other clubs, and he need not tell them how welcome they were, and always would bo, upon the Gisborne Bowling Club’s green. (Hear, hear). And now he would say just a word of welcoino to the members of the club. He congratulated them that the time had come round when their game would be resumed in earnest. All circumstances of the day were favorable, with so many visitors, and Nature smiling upon them, Under these circumstances, he could promise them a very successful season, as last year they had, under the presidency of Mr Bright, who was unable to be present that day, but was there in spirit if not in person. The president said he had received a wire from .Mr Bright as follows : " Hope you will havo a successful season.

Congratulations to the bowlers.” (Applause.) in promising a successful season Mr Pettie said he did so first of all because he had several prizes and trophies given which would be competed for both by the junior members and also by the more advanced players of the club. This would oreate a great interest. Then there was the pennant Hag presented by Ml- Witty, for competition among the the throe districts—Gisborne, Kaiti, and Whataupoko. There was a good deal of rivalry among the three districts mentioned, and he looked forward to seeing some close play, lie expected to see some very keen competitions during the coming year. The great event to bo looked forward to by tho Club is tho tournament to be held at

Wei mgton in January next. He hoped their success of last year, whon they won the champion fours competition, would be followed up by winning the shield and banner of the New Zealand Association. (Applause). That was his ambition during his term of ollic-e, and he hoped to see the I blue banner of the Association waving over their pavilion. (Choeru) They had the talent among them, and he urged members to take every opportunity to practice, as they all knew that “ practice made perfect.” Mr Pettie said lie would conclude by throwing the jack across the green in tho usual way. and declaring tho green open. (Cheers.) Tho President then performed the duty amidst continued applause.

After the President finished his opening remarks, the green, players, and spectators were photographed, several cameras being brought into requisition. Play was then continued, the match being a close one, and resulting in a victory for the President’s team by 110 points to 94. The biggest victory of tho afternoon was achieved by Holland's rink, which defeated Witty's team by 30 to 13. Hoyt’s team defeated Matthewson's after a close game by 10 to 1-1. Gaudin and Dixon had a keenly-contested match, the former winning by 15 to 14. Ferris’ team defeated McGowan's by 90 points to 14, whilst Humphreys had a victory over Hennessey by 18 to 14. The team skipped by Coleman and l’onsford were evenly matched, and a good game resulted in Gisborne’s champion skip winning by two points. The President of the Club played in Coleman's rink, and the Vice-President in that skipped by Fonsford. Afternoon tea was provided by Mesdauies Pettio and Harding, who were most assiduous in their efforts to make the gathering thoroughly enjoyable. The ladies mentioned wero assisted by Misses Hyde (2), E. and H. Harding, Cooper (2), Ferris (2), Simson, Wilson, Davies (3), Boyle, and Green. The President of the Club (Mr W. rettie) is to be congratulated upon the success of the gathering, which will long bo remembered by bowlers as one of tho most pleasant afternoons spent on the green. Mr l’ettie was ably seconded in his efforts by the Vice-President. Mr J. A. Harding. To Mr C. H. W. Dixon, tho secretary of the Club, a special word of praise is due, and the success of the gathering was greatly attributable to his unceasing efforts on behalf of the Club. The visitors were loud in their praises at the excellent order of the green, which was duo to the care and attention bestowed upon it by Mr F. Tansley. There is every prospect of a most successful season, and the Club should be able to send two strong rinks to the Northern Bowlers' Association at Wellington. in January next. The following new members have been proposed : Messrs F. Craimuond, T. A. Coleman, W. F. Crawford, W. T. Hawley. F. G. Piesse, J. MePhee, J. Score, J. Brooking, ,T. Siddells, Captain Martin, Xatusch, F. Harris. Tite following are the details of the afternoon's play :

Fkesipext. Vice-Pkesioknt. J. 11. Martin Williams Sheridan Cummings Jackson Robertson Hoyt iskip) 16 Matthewson (sk) 14 Piesse Oman F. Fettie T. Witty j Massey Lewis Gaudin tskip) 15 Dixon (skip' 14 Jones Garrett Rosie C. Adair Quigley T. Adair Holland (skip! 30 J. W. Witty (sk) 13 Cox Cussen O'Meara A. Adair Wallace Atubridge McGowan tskip) 14 Ferris (skip) 20 Orr Barry Nichols F. Martin Humphreys (sk) 18 Hennessy (skip) 14 Colebrook Morgan W. Pettic Harding Hookey Sidebottom Coleman (skip) 17 Ponsford (skip) 19 110 94