BOWLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12238, 6 April 1903, Page 3

BOWLING.

AUCKLAND GREEN. PRESENTATION TO THE PRESIDENT, MR. A. M. MYERS. There was a very good attendance of club members and visiting bowlers from the sister clubs on the Grafton green on Saturday afternoon, when, despite the threatening weather conditions, those present entered with great zest into the games arranged. Play was suspended shortly before five o'clock, and the bowlers assembled round the pavilion for the purpose of taking leave of the club's popular president (Mr. Arthur M. Myers), who leaves on an extended visit to England and the Continent to-day. In order that the president might have with him something to remind him in his absence- of those left behind the members had prepared an address. This was in book form, the covers of rich blue leather enclosing a most tastefully got-up address, appropriately worded and beautifully finished. On the front cover was the president's monogram in raised letters in two of the three club colours. The address was prepared at the Herald Works, and came in for much admiration. In making the presentation, Mr. William Lambert, one of the club's vice-presidents, said it was very gratifying to find such a representative gathering present to take leave of their respected president, who was about to proceed on a visit to the Old Country. The occasion was in every way a fitting one for the members to give expression to their appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the club by Mr. Myers, and of the goodwill and esteem in which he was held by one and all associated with this old-estab-lished club. Mr. Myers had shown himself a most capable president and a worthy successor to the long list of gentlemen who bad preceded him. By his tact, urbanity, and courtesy he had endeared himself to all, and if the club continued to have men of his culture holding high office there was no doubt that its prestige would be fully maintained. In handing over the address he wished the president, on behalf of the members, a pleasant and prosperous journey and a safe return, and assured him that on his arrival back in Auckland ho would find no heartier welcome than that he would assuredly receive at the hands of his fellow bowlers of the Auckland Club. He (Mr. Lambert) also took the opportunity of thanking Mrs. Louis Myers, . through the president, for the interest she had shown in the club and her unbounded hospitality and liberality on the occasion of all public functions held on the green. . At the call of Mr. Lambert those present then joined with great heartiness in the singing of " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," followed by three rousing cheers for the president and three more for Mrs. Myers (his mother). The text of the address, which was signed by the officers of the club on behalf of the members, was as follows:—"Arthur M. Myers, Esq., president of the Auckland Bowline 1 Club: Dear Sir, The occasion of your approaching visit to England has occurred to your fellow members of this club to bo a fitting opportunity to express to you' the esteem and regard in which you are held by one and all, firstly as a man and a brother bowler, and secondly as our honoured and respected president. " The Auckland Club has been singularly fortunate in the gentlemen who have, from its inception, occupied the president's chair. They have been men of high character', conspicuous ability, and unfailing courtesy and tact, who have not spared to give of their time and means, at all times, to foster and advance the best interests of the club. These traditions, sir, you have most worthily upheld, and we feel sure it has always been your pride and pleasure during the two years you have presided over its affairs, to do everything in your power to sustain and enhance the prestige of the Auckland Club. In bidding you a temporary farewell we desire to express the hope that your trip will prove enjoyable and recuperative in the highest degree, and that you will come back to us in good health and spirits after your travels round the world, convinced that New Zealand is the best colony, Auckland the best city, and that nowhere could you find more genial company or more enthusiastic bowlers than among your fellow members of the Auckland Club. In conveying to you this expression of our regard, we desire also to mention our great indebtedness to your honoured and respected mother, Mrs. Louis Myers, for her kindness and unbounded hospitality on all public occasions."

In replying, Mr. Myers said iie found it a very difficult matter to adequately thank the members for the handsome testimonial they had prepared for his send-on, and the very kindly and generous remarks concerning himself by the vice-president and through the address prepared by his fellow members. When the club's worthy secretary (Mr. Win. Elliot) had asked him down that afternoon ho had looked forward to the handshaking and usual send-off, but had certainly not expected such flattering treatment or generous recognition of his humble services as that he found had been arranged for by his brother bowlers of the Auckland Quo. For the feeling that had actuated those responsible for the expression of good will towards himself he sincerely thanked them one and all, and could only say that he had always felt a deep sense of gratitude towards the members for the high honour they had conferred upon him by twice ' electing him to the proud position of president of the club. Mr. Myers also took the opportunity of congratulating Mr. J. V. Dingle on carrying off the championship honours for the season and extending a welcome on behalf of the club to Mr. Southwell, a London bowler, who was .present on the green. In conclusion, he thanked the members for the land references made to Mrs. Myers, and added that while he felt a pang of keen regret in having to leave so many good fellows behind lie, had in mind another side to the picture, and that was the feeling of pleasure with which he would look forward to the reunion and the time when ho would again clasp the hands of his fellow bowlers of the Auckland Club. The details of the games played during the afternoon are as under : — Lewis, Rundla, Brig-ham, A. M. Myers (skip), 27, v. Hosking, Lawson, Ronayne, Dennistdn (skip), 16. Thornes, Butts, Garland, Dingle (skip), 14, v. McCallum, Crawford,. Holland, Handcock (skip), 22. M'onnie, W. Elliot, James, Ledingham (skip), 26, v. Spreckley, King, Lambert, .Lyons (skip), 15. Plummer, Smart, Dean, Perritfc (skip), 14, v. Roach, Cooke, Coleman, Thomson (skip , 19. .. Kayll, Alexander, Shackelford, Dr. Hooper (skip), 16, v. Moritzson, Geddes, Crombie, Holden (skip), 23. Leo Myers, MeMaster. Mitford, Southwell (skip), 22, v. Leser, Pollard, Oliphant, Armstrong (skip), 25. Hipkins, ' Phillpot (skip), 20, v. White, Steele (skip), 21. A rink of first year's players' from the Mount Eden Club played a friendly game with new members of this club, which resulted as under: — Mount Eden—Jones, Finlayson, Martin, Dickie (skip)— v. Auckland— Broadfoot, Newton, Coombes (skip) Ehrenfried-Ross Trophy: Mennie, 22. v. Towsey, 0. Championship: Dingle, 24, v. Oliphant, 12 ; Oliphant, 17, v. Dingle, 16; Dingle, 19, v. Oliphant, 8. Haig and Haig Prize: Mennie, 23, v. Thomson, 12; Garland, 21, v. Mennie, 13. Equitable Life Assurance Society's Prize: Handcock, 24, v. Dean, 12. Mr. W. Elliot's Prize: Hosking, Carlaw (skip), 26, v Hudleston, Lambert (skip), 25. Subscription Pairs: ' J. W. Jones, Lyons (skip), 23, v. Coombes, Carlaw (skip), 17. On "Wednesday last the Remuera pennant teams played the Auckland representatives for this event, the games resulting as under: — Remuera — Caldwell. Maxfield, Laxon, Clerk (skip) 22, v. —Mennie, Denniston, Handcock, Ledingham (skip)— RemueraLennox, Perrin. Hull, G. Court (skip)— v. Auckland—Thornes, Buttle, Garland, Dingle (skip)— 26. ' Mr. J. V. Dingle has won the club cup and championship,, this being the second occasion upon which he has attained this coveted honour. , The pennant teams have now been finally selected a-s under: —Monnie, W. Elliot, James, Ledingham (skip); McCallum, Buttle, Garland, Dingle (skip). Mr. W. O. Garland represents the club in the competition for the Haig and Haig prize at the forthcoming tournament.