SUMMER SPORTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 265, 9 October 1939, Page 5

SUMMER SPORTS

TAKARO CLUB’S OPENING. BOWLING SEASON BEGINS. Overcast but fine weather prevailed on Saturday for the official opening , lor the iyay-40 season ot the first two i of the city howling, croquet and ten- . liis clubs to enter on their summer i activities—Takaro and Manawatu. - At the Manawatu Club the official opening was performed by the Mayor j (Sir A. E. Mansford), and at Takaro J tile Deputy-Mayor (Mr G. Trema.ine), who is also chairman of the reserves i committee, was the official speaker. On s behalf of the Manawatu Bowling - Centre, the president of that body t (Mr J. A. Nash) declared the bowling t season open. 1 AT TAKARO. Before calling on the deputy-Mayor, the president of the Takaro Club (Mr L. Berry) submitted an apology for absence from Mr J. Hodgens, ALP., , who was in Wellington, but who sent bis best wishes for a most success- > ful season for all sports bodies in the city. Air Berry made reference to the presence of Alessrs Tremaine and It. Tanner (the club’s patron), and touched on the assistance they had given the club in their separate capacities. He paid a tribute also to the voluntary workers in the club's ranks and the womenfolk, alid urged that players should, at this time of national stress, leave their worries outside the club grounds and so contribute to the spirit which sport engendered. Pleasure was expressed by Air Tremaine at the appearance of the greens ; on no occasion had he seen them looking better than they were to-day. The arrangement arrived at between the club and the City Council, the club to maintain the grounds, had worked well in the past season and should work well for the second season also. Air Tremaine referred briefly to the war, saying that the results of the conflict would be very far-reaching, hut one point stood out—England and France had to win, for the preservation of Christianity. (Hear, hear I) The speaker referred to the enlistment of young men in New Zealand for military service and said we admired them for it.

Mr Tremaine also spoke of the Kawau Stream. The City Council now had control of it and was formulating bylaws to prevent damage to the hanks, and the city engineer had recommended tlie purchase of machinery to deepen the bed and place the banks further back. He was sure this project would receive the active support of the members of the club ancl the Takaro Progressive Association when it came forward. Mr 'Tremaine then declared the club’s season open. BOWLERS’ VISITS. In declaring the bowling season open, Mr Nash said the last one had been excellent and centre visits to other centres had been well supported. As far as was known now, the first visit of this season would bo to Hawke’s Bay early in December, and the Hawke’s Bay Centro was to pay a visit to Manawatu in November. There were 17 clubs affiliated to the Manawatu Centre, and, with the pennant games reintroduced last season, they would be kept busy. It appeared also that the centre would have to undertake a good deal of travelling this season. The speaker thanked the clubs for co-operation in placing their greens at the disposal of the centre for tournaments, and the

Indies of the various clubs for arrang ing hospitality. Mrs Nash presented certificates fo the winners of the Manawatu rink championship last year, tho rink com ing from the Takaro Club—Messrs ]< Hcarsey, G. Farrar, R. Russell and V Harriman. A certificate was also pre sen ted to tho club’s president, for tin club. Mrs Berry threw down tho firs jack and cheers were given the pre sident, the committee, the ladies of tin club and for the visitors. Friendly games were then commenced, tho results being as follow: Levin. —Foss, Denton, Shcnnan Walker (skip) 12 v. Takaro: Buchanan, Hughes, Wass, Monks (skip) 16. I Falriatua. —Smith, Davey, Britl&nd Hodd (skip) 16 v. Takaro: Fisher; ' Polglase, Kendrick, A. Smith (skip) 15. Oroua. —Law, —, Jarrett, Roach (skip) 17 v. Takaro: Dixon, Mortland, Burrell, Henderson (skip) 20. HakowJiitu. Russell, Andrew, Thompson, Cater (skip) 2L v. Takaro: Field, Spillman, •Christensen, Cooksley (skip) 16. Danncvirke. Webloy, Giatrell, Dyer, Carston (skip) 16 v. Takaro: Spooner, Henderson, Titshall, E. Smith (skip) 20. Northern. —Binns, Swinbourn, Larcomb, McDonald (skip) 24 v. Takaro: Waugh, Bayliss, Johnson, Farrar (skip) 20. Terrace End.—Wills, Ferguson, Skinner. Childs (skip) 19 v. Fcilding: Lane, Simson, Fowler, Burne (ski^) 16. Palmerston North. —West, Seator, Stableford, Crump (skip) v. Takaro: Dawick. Purcell, Wagstaff, Littlejohn (skip) 22. Gilmore, Carson, Smith, W. Croucher (skip) 14 v. Thomas, Rennie, Hughes, Hoarc (skip) 12. Robertson, Abraham, Stewart, Bary (skip) 13 v. Rosvall, Huston, Kempson. Duncalf (skip) 10. Winners of the croquet competitions were:—Mrs J. Christie (angles), Mrs Jamieson (ladder), Mrs Wilson (skittles), Mrs Russell (French). MANAWATU CLUE. OPENING OF GREENS. Though it was not an official visitors’ day, at tho greens of the Manawatu Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club, there was a strong muster of members. Playing fast, the greens were in better order than they had ever -before been on an opening day, and bowlers particularly looked forward to a pleasant afternoon. The president (Mr It. H. Billens) welcomed all present and said they intended to ignore the threat of rain. He welcomed the Mayor and Mayoress not only as the chief citizens, but with a keen appreciation of the interest they showed in sport and pastimes. The progressive attitude adopted by the City Council in this direction was evident from the beautiful and efficient recreational facilities 'available in Palmerston North. Mr Billens mentioned that the club had completed its first year as a body independent of City Council support, and all felt the better for having stood on their own feet. For a long time previously they had been indebted to the generosity of the council, and the club had been the last of such combined recreational organisations to undertake the whole responsibility for the maintenance of its grounds. It had been a wise step, but all felt a sense of gratitude to the" City Council. Tho club was situated in a most conspicuous position on the city’s favourite Sunday promenade. Consequently, it had not only to keep its playing facilities right up standard, but to sefe that its environs were maintained in fitting condition. It was hoped b.v the club’s committee to discuss further beautification and thus

make a practical gesture of appreciation to the City Council for its pa6t support. The president welcomed, on behalf of old players,, all newcomers, saying that they represented clubs in various purls of New Zealand. He read a.u apology for absence from Air J. Hodgens, M.P., who had forwarded a message expressing the hope that the opening function would be an augury for a most successful season. Air Billens paid a tribute to the greenkeeper (Mr Clayton) for the magnificent condition of the greens which, he said, had never been better in the history of the cluh.

The Alayor, in opening the green, thanked the president and committee lor the welcome accorded him. He recalled that tho property occupied by the club, was one of the first reserves of its nature to be opened up by the Borough Council. Since then the club had had its good times and bad. It was very gratifying to know that its first season as an independent body had been so successful. The City Council was pleased, too, to learn that. (Laughter.) Tho council had, in the past, always willingly co-operated with the club, and Cr. Tremaine (chairman of the reserves committee) could speak of the friendly relations which had existed. No doubt the fiveday week had been a contributing factor in increasing membership, but if the war continued it must have the effect of reducing the membership. No endeavour to maintain the country’s production must be spared. This called for physical fitness, and there was nothing better for mind or body than taking full advantage of recreational facilities. The Alayor congratulated Air Billens on his election as club president, and conveyed to him best wishes for a happy year of office. Airs J. \ r elvin, wife of the vicepresident, was then called on to throw down the jack in the absence ol Airs Billens, who is at AVanganui, and Airs Alansford sent down the first bowl, after which cheers were given for the Alayor and Alayoress. Results of games played are: —Chilton, Opie, Warwick (skip) 19 v. AlcKenzie, Billens, Velviu (skip) 21; Haughton, Rutherford, Bates, Mason (skip) 24 v. Exton, Benketh, Coburn, Corbridge (skip) 29) Robson, Screech, Todd, Skinner (skip) 17 v. Greening, Davis, Blake, Bateson (skip) 20; H. S Brown, Turnbull, Smillie, AV. Robertson (skip) 21 v. Heages, Coup, F. Brown, R. Porter (skip) 18; Paultridge, AlcGilvray, AlcGregor, Gerrand (skip) 21 v. Gabriel, Green, lnglis, Greenwood (skip) 15; Purton, Levy, Royal, Anderson (skip) 27 v. Burns, AV. AVhitehead, Low, Alills (skip) 12; Blandford, Stevens, A. AVhitehead, Frances (skip) 11 v. AV. Porter, Lett, R. Robertson, Oxenhani (skip) 23. A full rink consisting of Christinas, AVinks, AVilliams, King (skip) represented the Alauawatu Club at the opening of the Hastings Club. During the afternoon tea interval, Air J. A. Nash, president of the Alanawatu Bowling Centre, unveiled an honours board on which were inscribed the names of past presidents of the club. It was the work of Air D. AVilliams, while Air AV. Turner was responsible for the inscriptions. Air Nash also presented the centre’s champion pairs certificates to the winners, R. H. Billens and H. G. Alills.