INTER-PROVINCIAL BOWLING MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7897, 16 March 1887, Page 5

INTER-PROVINCIAL BOWLING MATCH.

♦ TARANAKI V. AUCKLAND. The inter - provincial match Taranakl v. Auckland came off yesterday afternoon at the Auckland Bowling Green. There was a , good attendance of bowlers and also of the general public, the ladies mastering in great force. The club's flag floated gaily from . the pavilion,- and the surroundings were pleasant and attractive. Flay was to have | commenced at half past two, but it did not begin until a quarter to three, as Mr. ' Hanna, photographer, was engaged in taking a photograph of the two teams. Among the visitors were Messrs. T. Peacock and T. Thompson, M.H.R.'s, Councillor Crowther, and others. The match was played in 31 heads, the ! highest aggregate number of points winning ' the game. Play commenced at a quarter to three o'clock. At the end of the first half hour, quarter past three p.m., the score ; stood : Taranakl, 10 ; Auckland, 14. At a | quarter to four Taranaki, '23; Auckland, 1 32. At a quarter past four, Taranaki, 34 ; Auckland, 54. At five, Taranaki, 52; Auckland, 61. At half-past five, Taranaki, 74; Auckland, 72. For the remainder of term the Taranakians steadily increased their lead. For the last few minutes victory hung in the balance, but game ended: Taranaki, 88 ; Auckland, 79 ; Taranaki thus winning by 9 points. The scene towards the close, as last rink concluded its play, was very exciting, and the whole assemblage looked forward with eagerness to the final issue. Throughout the game the spectators impartially cheered the combatants on either Bide as a good shot was made, or a particular act of skill exhibited. THE PLAY. No. 1 Rink.—The game was well contested throughout, bat as it went on the Taraoakians gained experience of the greon, and played better towards the finish. Mr. Todd, as third player in skip Paul's rink, played steadily all through, and the lead of Mr. Stohr and Dr. Gibbes was exceedingly good, while Mr. Paul (skip) played with his usual judgment and skill. For Auckland, Mr. Tait played well throughout, and was the mainstay of the team. Mr. Oliphant, as lead, also played steadily. The Auckland skip, Mr. Winks, who is a veteran player, was in his usual good form. As third player, Mr. Gorrie played an uphill game, with steady pluck, but did not seem to be up to his usual standard. No. 2 Rink.—The struggle was well contested until half-time, the score standing : Taranaki 12, Auckland 11. After the adjournment the Taranakians increased their lead. The style of play of Mr. Craigmile and the skip (Mr. Downes) was too good for the Auckland men. The playing of Messrs. Cottier and Davies was also very satisfactory, being steady and reliable. The Aucklanders played towards the finish an uphill game, but persevered to the end. Towards the close skip Saunders made some brilliant play, cutting out the opposing skip twice in succession. Mr. Downes, in bis final driving shot, knocked the jack out of the ring of bowls, his own bowl becoming shot,*-and then throwing . his mat into the air gave token that the Taranakianß had scored a victory. No. 3 Rink.—At the first adjournment Mr. Kingswell's rink were about twenty points ahead of their opponents, although Mr. Morey, the Taranaki skip, was playing remarkably true. However, after the tem- j porary cessation, the Taranaki men of this rink not only stayed the victorious progress of the Aucklanders, but actually began to win back from them, Mr. Burr, the lead, playing in excellent style. Mr. Wright also showed good form, while Messrs. Newman and Morey continued the steady and accurate trundling whioh all along characterised their efforts. Indeed, Mr. Morey'a skill was soon recognised, and he was constantly being applauded by the spectators, who admired the determined way in which he played his uphill game. The Auckland team in this rink were at their best, Mr. Frater's play especially frequently evoking the plaudits of his companions. Mr. Taunt, the skilled lead, was also playing excellently, while Mr. Kingswell was brilliantly accurate, Mr. Miller also playing in his usually careful style. The first rink to finish was No. 3, followed by No. 1, leaving No. 2 with three heads to play, and an advantage of about nine points to maintain. It was at this point the game possessed its highest interest, which was maintained till the numbers went up on the board, the final score standing— TARANAKI. AUCKLAND. No. 1 Rink. E. Stohr P. Oliphant Dr. Gibbes W. Tait A. Todd W. Gorrie J. Paul (skip.) .. .. 31 J. Winks (skip.) ... 23 No. 2 Rink. J. T. Davis J. G. Moore W. Cottier W. 0. Mlrfin C. Craigmile J. Blilington W. F. Downes (skip).. 32 K. Saunders (skip.).. 19 No: 3 Bisk. A. Burr J. 0. Taunt W. Wright J. Miller G. Newman J. Frater W. Morey (skip.).. .. 25 C. Kingswell (s«ip.) 37 Total 88 Total 79 Taranaki thus winning by nine points. The Auckland team called for three cheers for their opponents, whioh were heartily given, and the Taranakians reciprocated by paying a similar compliment to the Aucklanders. This was the'signal for the dispersion of the assemblage, and the teams were driven off to the Albert Hotel. THE BANQUET. The banquet was held at the Albert Hotel (Mr. Montague, proprietor). The large banquetting room, some 70 feet long, had been decorated, and at either end of the room on large mirrors were decorations, with the legend, " Honour to Taranaki." Over fifty gentlemen sat down, and as they filed into the room the string band gave the familiar strains of " The Roast Beef of Old England." Mr. J. Winks (President of the Auckland Bowling Club) was chairman, being supported on his left by Mr. Paul (President of the New Plymouth Bowling Club), and Mr. W. Tait (Secretary of the Auckland Bowling Club), and on his right by Mr. Downes (secretary of the N.P.C.), and Mr. John Ross (a Vice-President of the A.8.C.) Ex-Mayor Waddel filled the vice-chair, being supported by Mr. Suiter (President of the Newmarket Bowling Club), and Mr. Morey, of Taranaki. In addition to the members of the two teams there were present, among others. Messrs. Jackson and Cox, emergency men of the Taranaki Team, Dr. Murray Moore, Messrs. Cotter (City Solicitor), 0. Humphreys, Mackechnie, A. Wright, R. Cameron, J. Kirkwood, J. Bruce, J. Raid, Saunders, J. P. Campbell, J. Ross, King, J. Craig, Green, W. Culpan, Ralph Keesinp, W. S. Jones, and the Press representatives— Messrs. J. M. Geddis (Star), and G. M. Main (Hkkald). The banquet was got up in a style whioh did infinite credit to Host Montague. The following was the Msnu : Oysters au nature!. Potages : Turtle, Julienne. PoUsons : Fillette soles a la turbote, mullet a Ie iualte d'hotel. Entrees : Pate de toie gras, rle'de veau a I'ltalienne, cotelettes d'agneaux au. eplnare, fricassee de ponlettes. Releres : Roast ducks, sauce ricbelieu ; roast chickens, bread sauce; roast turkeys, celery sauce; roast goose, apple sauce; boiled ox tongue ; boiled ham, sautez vin champagne. ReI moves : Roast beef, horse radish sauce; roast hind quarter lamb, mint sauce; roast fillet veal, faroie; roast hare, red current jelly. Entremets: Diplomatic pudding, tieach tart, charlotte russe, custards in glasses, trifle, compote of pears, creme au tare Jellies »u klrcli, petite faur, sweetheart pudding. Severy : CUeeae straws, anchovies au diable. Dessert: Fruit in season. Olives. The wine carte comprised the choicest wines, &c. After dinner, the more intellectual part of the proceedings commenced. The Chairman gave the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, which were duly honoured, after which The Vairman gave the toast of "The Representatives of New Plymouth Bowling Club." As he had said at Taranaki, these contests elicited good feeling between the residents in the two provinces, outside the surroundings of bowling. This was only the second of their annual meetings, but he hoped to see many of them. Next to winning a battle the best thing was to loße it with a grace. He had great pleasure in proposing the toast, "The Representatives of New Plymouth Bowling Club." The toast was drunk with musical honours. Mr. Paul responded, in a felicitous speech. He felt very deeply the kindly and indeed enthusiastic reception his men had got, and hoped to be in a position to reciprocate it at a future date. He would not conceal the fact that he was proud of that day's victory, and that it was one of the happiest incidents in his life. The vice-chairman, Mr. Waddel, had laid himself out to entertain and interest them during their visit, and he took that opportunity of thanking him on behalf of his team for his kindness. The Chairman proposed, " The Mayo* and Councillors of Auckland," and Mr. Cotter,

City Solicitor, responded on their behalf In a neat speech. He apologised for the Mayor's absence, which arose through other engagements. ' The Vice-chairman thin proposed "The Skips." He said the winning team were much indebted to their skips for their victory. For th&Aucklanders he said, "Try Again," and send down their beat bowlers to recover the laurels they had lost. ■ Mr. Downes responded on behalf of Taranaki. He held the skips could do little without a loyal support from their men. The toast gave him an opportunity of referring to the faot that it was to Mr. John Ross they were indebted for the presence of the Taranaki team that night. That gentleman was now going to Dunedin, the hotbed of bowling, and it was hoped through his . instrumentality to bring about an interisland match, in which Auckland and Taranaki would be found fighting under one flag. He concluded .by referring to Mr. Ross, in eulogistic terms, not only as a bowler, but as a man of business, and in every relation of life. Mr. Mobet, of Taranaki, briefly returned thanks on behalf of his rink. Mr, Wines, as one of the skips, also acknowledged the compliment. SLe hoped the next Auckland team which went to Tara.naki would give a better account of themselves than the local team did that day. Mr. Saunders thought the match had been won on its merits. He had been trained under the father of bowling in Dunedin, Mr. Callender, but what conld the Aucklanders do when Taranaki had got an Apostle Paul?—(laughter)—and all the rest of the Taranakians followed the apostle's lead (great laughter) in style and delivery. The Chairman proposed the toast of " The President and Members of the Newmarket Bowling Club." It was a young club, but premised well with good training. Mr. Suiter (President of the Newmarket Club) responded. He congratulated the visitors on the pluck they had shown in fighting on to victory at a time when they seemed to be hopelessly out of the game. They had yet to encounter the Newmarket Bowling Club, and when they learnt that this club had defeated the Auckland Bowling Club on its own ground by 15 points, they would have some idea of the stuff of which it was made. (Laughter). He took that opportunity of publicly thanking Mr. Speight, of Dunedin, for his handsome prize bowls. Mr. E. A. Mackechnie (ex-President of the Auckland Bowling Club), in ft neat speech, proposed " The New Zealand Bowling Association." The teams had that day played for the medal of the Association, and that showed it was doing good work. As it was played for by the associated clubs no club was neglected. Every member should stand by the "jack," and encourage bowling, as he would by the Union Jack of their native land. (Cheers), The toast was drunk heartily. Mr. Downes proposed "The Health of Mr. John Boss," who was about to enter a new, and yet not a new uphere of life, at Dunedin. His departure would be viewed with regret by all of them, but in Dunedin he had no doubt ho would still maintain his interest in the Northern bowlers. (Cheers). The toast was received and drunk with great enthusiasm and musical honours. Mr. Ross responded in an appropriate speech. He would not take all the oredit for the Taranaki meeting, as Mr. Downes had first addressed him on the matter. He hoped the Aucklanders would be stimulated by their defeat, to get ready as soon as possible to try conclusions with their opponents again. When at the banquet at the late tournament at Dunedin he had told the assembled bowlers of the progress of bowling in the North. It was his intention to try and bring about an inter-island match. He was sorry to leave Auckland, but would take a deep interest in bowling matters in the North, even while away in the South. (Cheers.) Mr. Paul here thanked Mr. Ross for the presentation of a flag to the New Plymouth Bowling Club, and concluded by giving the toast of "The Auckland Bowling Club," to which the Chairman appropriately responded. Mr. Gorrie (one of the vice-presidents) also returned thanks. He said, after seeing the way in which the Taranakians played on the previous day, he felt down in the mouth. The defeat had taught the Aucklanders one lesson to obey the skips. (Hear, hear.) Perhaps a want of discipline accounted for the non-success of the local team. Mr. Tait proposed "The Press," to which the Herald representative responded, and Mr. Frater the toast of "The Ladies," to which Mr. Newman responded. The health j of " The Chairman," proposed by Mr. D. J. McLeod, brought the toast programme to a close. The rest of the evening was d'Voted to social chat and harmony, Mesa's. Moore, Downes, Paul, Mirfin, . King, and Craig contributing some excellent song»--"comic, sentimental, patriotic, and operatic. The gathering broke up at midnight, a most enjoyable evening hayftg been spent.