Maungatapere, Rawene Bowling Clubs Opened

Northern Advocate, 31 October 1949, Page 7

Maungatapere, Rawene Bowling Clubs Opened

WHEN Maungatapere and Rawene bowling opened the 1949-50 season in glorious weather on Saturday 18 of the Northland centre’s 21 clubs had started activities.

Albertland, Te Kopuru and Arapohue have yet to open. Maungatapere Ladies’ Club had its first official opening and created history by being the first club to play bowls on sawdust in Northland.

Maungatapere

When the president (Mr Ken Stevens) welcomed visitors to Maungatapere's second official opening he brought a new note into the formal proceedings. “The centre representative is the only one who is supposed to talk at these functions,” he said.

Following speakers took the cue, and made their deliveries short. The centre representative (Mr E. J. Dinglei also entered into the spirit of the game.

He congratulated the club on the excellent progress it had made in its first season and mentioned that Ihe green was improving.

Mr Dingle added that members of the club had put in splendid work during the oil' season. He was pleased to see the new pavilion completed. After finishing his short-length speech. Mr Dingle was asked to send up the first jack. Ho was quickly followed by Mr G. S. B. Morrison who rolled the first bowl. Within 10 minutes of Mr Stevens' opening remarks play was in progress. Maungatapere had created a record. Visiting speakers who complied with the president’s request were: Messrs Dingle (Northland Centre), G. Allan (Kensington), 11. Smith (Whangarei), A. Flux (RSA), O. Warm (Portland), and G. Richards (Kamo).

A telegram of good wishes was received from Mr A. J. Murdoch, M.P. for Marsden. A feature of the afternoon remarked on by visitors was the sumptuous “spread" provided by the ladies. Ladies' Club

When the Maungatapere Ladies’ Bowling Club officially opened its first season on Saturday, it made history in Northland bowls. For the first time sawdust rinks were played on. The new surface comprising two rinks, played reasonably well considering that they are yet in the experimental stage. When welcoming visitors from kindred clubs, the president (Mrs F. C. Young) thanked the Maungatapere Community Centre for making funds available to form the playing surface. She expressed the club’s warm appreciation of the work done by members of the men’s bowling club. Their work in laying the sawdust greens had made it possible to form a ladies' club. Replies to Mrs Young’s welcome were made by Mrs A. S. Quennell (Marsden Ladies) and Mrs G. Richards (Kamo Ladies). An apology w’as received from the Hikurangi Ladies Bowling Club. Mrs G. S. B. Morrison sent the first jack over the new surface and Mrs H. Gunson, an old resident of Maungatapere, had the honour of rolling the first official bowl on a sawdust green in Northland. Rawene In the unavoidable a , ■. :ce of the president (Mr Cyril Lane) visitors to the Rawene opening were welcomed by the vice-president (Mr A. A. Chastin). Mr Chastin said he was pleased to see so many visitors from surrounding clubs, Kawakawa, Kaikohe, Moerwa, and Dargaville. He also read telegrams from clubs which had been unable to send representatives. Mrs W. M. Cochrane sent the first jack up and Mr A. Fuller, the oldest member of the club, drew applause by securing a toucher with the first bowl of the season. The green was then declared open and all present joined in a "spider roll.” This was won by Mr Wadsorth (Kaikohe) with Mr W. Grant (Rawene) runner-up. Local rinks had a real “day out” in the games w’hich followed, winning all but one match by fairly substantial margins. When a most enjoyable afternoon had concluded Mr Howarth (Kaikohe) expressed thanks on behalf of all the bowlers for the hospitality extended. He particularly mentioned the wonderful repast provided by the ladies, who were given three rousing cheers.