BOWLING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1165, 29 June 1894, Page 24

BOWLING.

AN UMBRELLA FOR CAPTAIN EDWIN. A smoke concert tendered by the members of the Wellington Bowling Club to the directors, in return for that given by the directors to the members a short time since, was held at the Club's pavilion on the 27th. The Mayor (Mr A. de B. Brandon) presided, and there was a large gathering of members. A goodly supply of refreshments, both liquid and solid, was provided, and the proceedings throughout were of a most enjoyable character, the management reflecting very great credit on the Entertainment Committee, which was composed of the following gentlemen:—Messrs A. Lawson, A. McKee, R. Maudsley, J. Cordoza, F. W. Haybittle (secretary) and T. C. Churchward (treasurer). Recitations and readings were given by Messrs F. W. Haybittle, A. S. Paterson and J. E. Read, Mr McGlashan played a violin solo, and songs were sung by Messrs Walter Haybittle, E. J. Hill, Clowes, Page, J. Murrell, T. L. Churchward, J. E. Page, Mr W. B. Platts presiding at the piano. During an interval the Chairman, addressing Mr T. Ballinger, said he had been requested to present him with an ink-stand as a token of the regard in which he was held by the members of the Club, and of their appreciation of his services as treasurer during the past three years, The ink-

stand bore the inscription, "To T. Ballinger, from members Wellington Bowling Club, June 27th, 1894."

I Mr Ballinger, who was greeted with musical honours, briefly returned thanks for the presentation. The Chairman then, addressing Captain Edwin, said it was within the knowledgo of members that the directors recently made that gentloman a presentation. The members of the Club generally determined not to be outdone by the directors, and had thereforo asked him (the chairman) to make him a presentation on their behalf, the article chosen by them being an umbrella. (Laughter.) He must say the members were not influenced in their choice by any impertinent or sarcastic reference to the position in which Captain Edwin served the country. As they were aware, in Eastern countries the umbrella was one of the insignia of royalty, and in Africa the umbrella, without any other clothing—(laughter)—indicated the rank of king. He was asked to present Captain Edwin with that umbrella as indicating the rank ho held among bowlers —the Prince of Secretaries. (Applause.) He handed him the presentation, hoping that in future he would consider it his duty, with a view of preserving the umbrella, to improve the climate of this much-abused City of Wellington. (Laughter and applause.) The fabric of which the umbrella was made was silk, which was to show that the members of the Bowling Club had no regard whatever for gingham, or any other material made of rag (Wfagge). (Loud laughter.) "For he's a jolly good fellow" having been heartily sung, Captain Edwin thanked the members for their presence, saying he had not made any preparation for the reception of such a gift, because they might remember he had said there was going to be a frost. (Laughter.)