AUCKLAND BOWLING ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11056, 6 May 1899, Page 3

AUCKLAND BOWLING ASSOCIATION.

SMOKE CONCERT. A bowlers' smoke concert took place last evening in the Masonic Hall, Princes-street, to wind up the bowling season, Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, the hall was crowded with bowlers from the various district clubs. Among tho visitors were tho Very Rev. Dr. Egau, 0.5.8., and Mr. Bright, vice-president of tho Gisborne Bowling Club, The concert was held under tho auspices of the Auckland Bowling Association, and the president (Mr. J. Haraie) presided. Tho Chairman, in his introductory remarks, gave an interesting historical review of bowling in the Mother Country and in tho colonies. Coming home, ho said bowling was introduced in Auckland by Messrs. Thos. Macfarlano and Wm. Aitken in 1862, 37 years ago. Its rapid growth in popularity dates since 1894-, when Ponsonby formed a green, followed by Remuera in 1896. Today the Auckland Association comprised seven dubs, with a membership of 433. There were more clubs in course of formation, making quite a phenomenal progress in bowling. The association was in the third year of its existence. Tho year's matches just closed had excited except interest. Ho congratulated iho Match Committee fin carrying out their duties to a satisfactory conclusion. A word of praise was due to their lion, secretary (Mr. J. Blades). The Chairman then reviewed the matches, and said that there was one thing which should not he Inst sight of, that these matches established a strong bond of good feeling between the clubs. In coneluding he presented the prizes (01 the sea-

Tho prize for the champion of champions' match was a silver cup, and was won by Mr. J. W. Harrison (Devonport Club). Owing to tho unavoidable absence of Mr. Harrison, Mr. Eagleton took tho prize for him, and responded on Mr. Harrison's behalf. With regard to the champion four*!, tho prizo was a pair of silver-mounted bowls to each of the members of the team (Newmarket Club), Messrs. C. 0. Laurie, A. Holmes, G. H. Laurie, H. W. Brookes Iskip). Tho Newmarket Club also carried off the association's shield for the year. It is of rimu, with a silver bowl in centre, and had on a silver plato inscribed the name of tho winning club, and names of team. Mr. Brookes, in a neat speech, responded for the learn.

Another pleasing incident was tho presentation of a purso of sovereigns to tho lion, secretary of tho association (Mr. J. Blades). The Chairman said he had great pleasure, on behalf of tlio association, in presenting the purso of sovereigns, as a slight token of their appreciation of tlio manner in which Mr. Blades fulfilled his duties, and their personal esteem for him as a man. Mr. Blades thanked the bowlers in appropriate terms. He hoped to do his duty in the future as bo nad endeavoured to do it ill the past. lie appreciated their feeling of goodwill towards him. A capital programme of instrumental and vocal soloelions, etc., prepared by tho Musical Committee, Messrs. A. I'owsey, W. Culpan, and Morilzson, was then gone through with great acceptance, as follows: — Pianoforte overture, " Boeaceio's March," Mr. 11. Winkelman. Mr. A. I;. Edwards contributed in excellent stylo " Mary," and in response to an encore, Nobody Else." 11l tins second pari lie also sang " May Morning," and to an encore, " Mary of Argyle." Mr. K. W. Alison gave a splendid recital of Tom. Bracken's " Battle of Orakau," and in response to a recall, the ever-popular "Finnigan tc Fiannagan." Messrs. Ballin and Howe, in their mandolin dim, had to submit to a recall. Dr. Do Clivo-Lowo gave a capital musical' sketch, "The Village Choir," and in rospouso to an encore, " Different. Kinds of Love." 11l the second part of tiro entertainment he gave a laughable vcntriloquiftl sketch, and in response to a recall another similar performance, " The Story of George Washington," which olioilecl great amusement. Mr. W. Slide's recitation, "The Episcopalian Soiree," elicited much laughter, and lie contributed with dramatic power, " Bairnies Cuddle Doon." Dr. Egan sang the pathetic song ol "The Baby on the Shore," and to ail enthusiastic recall, relieved tho overstrung feelings of his listeners, and kept them in roars of laughter with his musical description of "Tlio K.imsgate Minstrels." Mr. Percy Blackmail sang two comic songs ill good style, " Give Him My Kind Regards," and " Zizzy Zuin Zoon." Mr. llowe executed a mandolin selection with great taste. Mr. Davy's comic song, " I Live Underneath," and Mr. Towsey's "Will o' the Wisp," which was well sung, brought the musical concert to a close. Mr. H. Winkelman proved a most efficient accompanist. Mr. W. Coleman, in a highly-humorous speech, which kept the company in a simmer of merriment, moved a vote of thanks to the gentlemen who had contributed to the evening's entertainment, and also to the officers of the association, under whose auspices the bowlers had enjoyed a delightful evening. The motion was carried with musical honours, and Mr. Hardin (president) acknowledged the complimont on behalf of the officers. The singing of " Auld Lang Syne" and tlio National Aulliom, brought one of tho most representative and successful howlers' gathering which has ever taken place in Auckland to a close. The company hroko up shortly before midnight. Light refreshments wore dispensed during the evening.