HAWERA BOWLING CLUB.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 12 October 1922, Page 4

HAWERA BOWLING CLUB.

i PLEASANT OPENING FUNCTION. ■♦ There was a large atendance of fowlers and friends at the Hawera Ulub's green yesterday afternoon on the occasion of the opening function { of tne season. The grounds presented a picturesque scene, the tine paviiion, wiiich has just been erected, ; being in keeping with the well-kept green and grounds. To further brighten the function an excellent orchestra, under Mr. F. Ollernshaw, rendered a number of bright and tuneful selections at intervals during the afternoon. A sumptuous afternon tea, provided by the ladies, was served in the pavilion. ' i The president of the club, Mr. J. Foy. in extending a welcome to the visitors, mentioned that the opening function this year was a very special occasion on account of the recent completion of the new pavilion. Mr. Foy read for absence from the president of the Eltham Club, from Mr. F. Morris and from Mr. Taylor., of Waverley. Continuing, the speaker said that it was only fitting that _he should make some—reference to the history of the Hawera Club. He mentioned that he joined five years after the club was formed, but" at the present time the club still had one or two. foundation ■ members with them. , Mr. Geo. Syme (senr.) was present that afternoon, and , ihe was the man who was instrumental in forming the club. In 1891 Mr. [ Syme endeavoured to form a club in | Hawera, but others thought that the ! town was not big enough to support ■ a club, and so it was not until 1895 ; that the Hawera Club ; was formed. , Mr. John "Bennie, of Wanganui, and , the late Mr. Jas. Paul were the promoters of the then newly-formed Hawera'Club, which ran a four-rink green in Union Street. , The Union Street green was used for five years and then it was found that owing to overcrowding a new green would "have to be formed. The present grounds were -bought, and until the, erection of the /new pavilion just recently the club was not a penny in debt and owned over an acre of ground. Even when their financial tposition was so good the committee was given 24 hours to find the money for the new pavilion. They found the money and were not long in going ahead with the work. Mr. Foy hoped that in three years' time ; there would be a second green behind fthe present^ one. The'membership at 1 present stood at 91 and in two years' time he quite expected it would be 150. The speaker said he would like to express the club's, apprecationof the work of the contractor for the pavilion, Mr; J. C. Cameron. They: could never regret engaging that I gentleman. Mr. Foy made special [ mention of a new flag v which' had been .' hoisted' that afternoon for the first time. It had been presented by the vice-president, Mr.'Adamson. Mr. Geo. Syme (senr.); was .•' theii caleld _ upon to speak. He counted it ~a. privilege in being able to be' present at the opening ,pf the new pavilion when' he had.been present at the opening of the.old one. Things tb.afr looked big in those days now looked small and he was delighted to see the new building, which would last for all time. A great deal could be said about the commencement of' bowlipg in South Taranaki, but he knew that on such I occasions ; bowlers did not want long speeches.'-But^-wanted 'to get on with their game. However, be'was present to donate a challenge shield. In making the presentation Mr. Syme : said:— . . ; ■ ,' ' ''. '■■ "Mr. President, ladies, and fellowbowlers,—ln asking you, sir, as presi- . dent of the Hawera Bowling dub, to accept the, care of this Challenge Shield, I wish you to understand that in presenting it I had a double purpose in view. In the first place my object is to assist my own club, for which I I have a great attachment, by 'providj ing a trophy for inter-club competition jon the ilawera Club's" green, thereby^ I sincerely hope, ensuring many interesting and pleasurable games between the two Hawera clubs and those of Patea and Manaia. v I Have taken notice of the fact that during the New Year holidays play on our green has I been confined to scratch games, and I j,thought that a competition that would ; bring"visiting bowlers to the green was • a desirable thing, giving enjoyment to both visitors and the local players. In the second place I expressed my desire j that the eo^npetitiona should be hej tween the clubs mentioned for, the rea-" | son that as a very old resident of Hawera I have seen the town grow from j a village—for when I first came, here-in ; 1875 it was no: more than that—to one of the most prosperous towns in New Zealand. Going back to these early .days, and following the course of , events.as they passed before me or I | personally .took part therein, I am re^ minded of the close connection" that | has existed all through between Haj wera, Patea, and Manaia. Patea, \ the (Oldest town of the three, was i the j centre from which, we drew our supplies in the early days, and in course of time Hawera filled a like position in regard to Manaia, following upon the opening of the Waimate Plains for settlement. It is my earnest desire to perpetuate, so f ary as ; bowling is concerned, the association between the three towns, with Hawera as the centre. Personally, I can look back on many happy days spent in the company of the Patea and Manaia bowlers, and most of you know the affection I have f°r my own club, while the Park Club contains- many of my old associates; so that altogether it will be a very pleasant thing for me if you will as custodian accept this shield, with my very best wishes for the welfare of the grand old game in South Taranaki and the success of the severaJ clubs taking part in the competitions. I have one thing more to add, and that is this: at my time of life I have more to 100k1 back UDon than to look forward to, and thinking of associates of the earlier days, bowlers and non-bowlers aliEe, I shall be glad if you will accept this the 'Syme Shield,' and I hope that it will prove in some measure not only a link between the clubs who dontest for its possession and the" towns Ehey represent, but also between the past and present." On behalf of the Hawera Club and the other clubs in South Taranaki, Mr. Foy heartily thanked Mr. Syme. He also considered that it was in the interests of bdwling that such a competition should eventuate. The president of the Centre, Mr. J. D. Sole, on behalf of the visiting bowlers, thanked the Hawera Club for its invitation. The large number of visitors present was evidence of the very high esteem in which the Hawera Club was held by all. At Mr. Sole's call three hearty cheers were given for the Hawera Club. Mrs. Foy then laid tne tablet in the new pavilion, after being presented with % silver mallet. A few words were said by Mr. J. C. Cameron, who said he was well satisfied with the permanency of the new pavilion. The first jack was thrown by Mrs. Foy, and the first bowl was sent down

the green by Mr. Geo. Syine, senr., who proved that, although he had gained age he had not lost accuracy. The bowl came gracefully m 011 to the jack, and finished up touching the small whit* ball .Ihe shot brought applause. The usual Presidents v. Vice-presi-dents match was played, the following being the results (President's rinks being mentioned first) : Harrison Skjelierup, W. Robertson, Foy 24; Carter, Fookes, Thomson, A K. Smart 20. Strouts, -Deane, Williams, Carey 17; Fmlay, McMillan, McDonald, G. Smart MorisonD Robertson, J. Walker, i wS n?a 'T- Tait ' Sha "' Herberfc ' i Glengarry, F. Williams, Carman W I Lambxe 21; W. McDonald, Dillon, J. byme, Robb 18. ! T Walker., Keys, R. Tait, Dingle 22; |X. Black, Strickland, Cbrkili,. R Hicks * Hall, Maslin, -Lewin, Hodge 25; Anderson, Burgess, Barkla, Adamson j McPhillips, Brunette, Card-. Westaj way 14; W. Johnson, Winks, Maret, D. ocott 23. 1 «oE" T ? ia' yue ' Cunningham, Boole, Sole 23; Payne, Carbridge, Christie, Ham- | mond 22. j Total: President 171, Vice-president i 100.. I ————^——