BOWLING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10100, 14 October 1918, Page 8

BOWLING

WELLINGTON CLUB SEASON. OPENED IN DELIGHTFUL WEATHER. Weather conditions were most favourable for the opening of the Wellington Bowling- Club’s season at the club greens, Wordsworth street, on Saturday afternoon. There was a large attendance of members and visitors, the latter including a large number of ladies. Considering the recent rains the rinks were in excellent condition and the afternoon’s play proved very enjoyable. Players commented favourably on the condition of the new green, the grass of which was only sown in March last. In declaring the season open the president of the olub (Mr A. Wyllie) fiist of all called for three cheers of the soldiers and sailors of the Allies, and those, preceded by the' singing of the National Anthem, were heartily given. He referred to the fact that the club still had in its ranks some of its original members and expressed regret that two of them—Messrs John Blundell and Robert Mouabt—were unable to be present owing to illness. He trusted that- those gentlemen would be able to visit them again at the not distant future. He regretted that since that last met together they had lost by death some splendid bowling enhusiaste in Messrs Carter, C. Parata, Joseph Mandoll and WiTiam Simm. He referred to the satisfactory position of the war and sympathised with those members of the club who had lost sons at the front. The future was indeed a bright one and they had everything in their favour for a very happy season. Ine duos position was most satisfactory in every W Members then indulged in some friendly games, the quality of the play indicating that the club is in for a very successful season. During the afternoon tea was served in the pavilion and proceedings were enlivened by strains from a strong orchestra. THOENDON CLUB.

The Thorndon Bowling Club opened it s green for the season on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a .fairly large assemblage of bowlers and their lady friends. Ideal weather prevailed, and tho function was most successful in every respect. The president (Colonel R. J. Collins, C.M.G.) expressed pleasure at seeing so many * bowlers present, which augured well for the success of the season. He extended a hearty welcome to the visitors, who, he hoped, would have a pleasant afternoon. They would find the green in excellent order, reflecting tho greatest credit on the caretaker (Mr Herswood), who had given it much attention. An increase in membership would place them in a sound financial position. There was no need to be pessimistic over this as many of their old players are now returning to tho green, which i„ equal to any in Wellington. He expressed the thanks -of the club to the ladies, whose help in the afternoon tea department was much appreciated. The patriotic efforts made by the club last year were commendable In the course of his remarks the colonel referred to the war, the news from the front he said, continues to bo very cheering. Th© next few days may produce events which will be of far-reaching importance in bringing to an end at an early date the great war and the return of an honourable and an everlasting peace, as the result of a decisive victory for Great Britain and her Allies. (Applause.) God gave tho King was then sung with enthusiasm. The president then called upon Mrs Collins to perform the usual ceremony of throwing up the ".lack" and playing the first bowl, after ■which eight rinks occupied tho green. Tho match arranged was the usual contest, president v. vice-president, tho former winning.

The lady visitors and bowlers were entertained at afternoon ten by Mrs R. J. Collins in the club’s pavilion, and was much enjoyed. Several of the returned soldiers now in hospital were present as guests of the club, and were welcomed by Colonel Collins and hospitably entertained. His Worship the Mayor and Mayoress were present during’ the afternoon. Several games of croquet on the lower green were played

during the afternoon by 'the ladies of the Thbrndon Croquet Club; " * ' . The following games were ployed Worthington. Copeland, Burdekin. Eonaldson (s) 21 Jourdain, , Williams, G. Munro, McEldowney (e) 16 Clark, Wright, Hull, Boss (s) ... 19 Medland, Murdoch, Staff,. Conlin (s) 16 O’Reilly, Davy, Gamble- Dimock ... stCampbell, Iladfieid.- D. Munro (s) 27 King, Burton, Chittey, —Mason Wilson, Miller, Hill,- -Sbalcrass (b) ...... '• 13 Ure, Arden, Robinson, D. Wilson is) - 27 Tahiti, Euckeridge, Hill. Macklin," Smith, Stanford, .. Gray' (s) 36 Galbraith, Matthewman, Dong- . ton, Cohen (a) A J. D. Smith, Bussell. Eu.tter-.--Hp-■. ham (s) „.......t..,....v.A.... 21 Myers, Young, Battle. McKay (Si Totals ;-182130 ■SEATOHN. The opening of the .Seatoun grounds was attended by a large number of :e----sidents and players. -Mr J. A. Fuller (president), in his remarks, said that the bowling section—Kadi suffered considerably through members-going to the front; this, however,-: -promised to be more than compensated -for • by the advent of new members,- four of whom were then proposed. He then , called upon Mr A. D. Crawford to open tho season. Mr Crawford took the . opportunity to present to the a handsome silver bowl. This artistic handsome bo.vj is mounted on an oak stand made from the timber of a coal hulk and is ovei 100 years old. ,Tho, whole is enclosed in an oak and plate glass cabinet. Silver shields bearing tne winner s names are attached to the base. The winners to date ore; W. P. McCUrr, W. .I*. Claxton G. H. Bradley, J. Paul, and H. J. Wyatt. This a further proof of Mr Crawford''s’ interest m the cluiv excited much admiration, and three hearty cheers were accorded the donor. Mrs Crawford threw thp_ jack and struck the first ball on the croquet ground and Mr. Crawford set the tennis going. Prospects for the club have never appeared so rosy. Tho tennis section is full, and the croquet is well supported. bowling green has never looked bettei at this time of the year, and the inany new residents in tub*'district will 1.0 doubt bo found taking an- interest in the club lead it on to a fuli-sized institution. A most enjoyable aftornoon's' play ensued;. some of the cards handed in were: , ■ . C. McFarlane, Bolton, Fosby, _ Green --v"- 12 Kircher, Nanoarrow, -Wright, Heath 20 H. McFarlane, Palmer,.- Eichards, Lauchlan 18 Pilcher. Thorn, Magill. Meston... 2* Grace, Gardiner, McCune, North U Bobbins. Smith, Paul, Bradley... 32 Afternoon tea was dispensed by Mesdames Fuller, Magill, Willoughby, and Kircher, the tables being. tastefully decorated with the club colours. NEWTOWN CLUB. There being no play permitted on opening day the customary game, president i. Vice-president, was played on Saturday with the result that tho former’s representatives came out on top by a small aggregate margin:— F. Bobbins. Guise. Astill, Noble (s) (president) 18 Pankhurst, Levestam, Leahy, Duff (s) 27 L. Warwick, Bigg, Davis. Pollock (s) -1« Blenkinsop, Plague. Grcnside. Hanson (s) (vice-president) ..;... IS Sexton. Sparrow, Dr. Barclay, Prince (s) 22 Salmon, Little. Porter, Phillips <s) 1C Eevill, Gyles. Talbot, Bussell (s) - 20 Green. Fyfe, Ferguson, Underwood (s) 12 Thompson, J. Remington, J. Roberts, J. Braiheungo (s)- 17 Stephenson, Hunt. Swiney, Laughton (s) 23 W. Roberts, Barber, Wylie, Popple (s) ........ 21 S. Roberts. Creyel. Priddlo, Arm.:. .. . , strong (b) 1C Totals ...- - 133 109 TEAMS FOB SATURDAY, y. Hataitai (Home): Hunt. Porter, C. Davis, Richards (si: C. Luke, Behnett. Astill. Scott (s): Fyfe, Orengel, Taßx-/t Russell (s). Awav; L, Warwick, Armstrong. Barber, J. Brackenridge. senr. (s); Remington, Blenkinsop, • Phillips,

Duff (a); C. Martin. Crosby. Leveetaau Bansen <s).- , -f-»4, w ' - y. Island Bay (Home): F.. Bobbins. Bigg. Swiney, Grenside (s); Stephenson, Caterer. Middlebrook, Noble (s). AAway): Salmon. J. Roberts. W. J. Bobbins, Prince (s): Thompson, Trevor, W. Bead, A. J. Pollock (s). HATAITAI CLUB.

The green was opened for tne season by Mr P. MoWhannell, the president, in the presence of a large number of the members, ladies and visitors from Other clubs. All the rinks being fully occupied, the green was found to bo in first-class order. At the close of the games a special general meeting of the club was held in, reference to life memberships, when Mr Kinniburgh, in a few well-chosen remarks, stated that it was proposed by the directors that the club should elect Air P Galvin to the position of first life member owing to the active part in which he bad taken in connection with the formation of the Hataitai Club. On it being put to the meeting it was unanimously confirmed by all present standing and passing a vote of sympathy to him oh his present trouble, and trusting to see him restored in health to enjoy the good old game of, bowls. , . , , The following have been selected to represent the club in a friendly game against Newtown on the 19th: Away— McGregor, Matthews, Shepherd, Kinniburgh (s); BUck, Pritchard. Atdell, Williams (s): Bennett, McKenzie, Chisholm, Hain (s). _ Home— Brown, Holland, Penney, Hendry (s); Kitto, Dowling, Newtown, -Pryor (s): Rear. Gibson. X. Ward, MeWhannell (s). HUTT BOWLING CLUB.

Ideal weather conditions prevailed fot the opening of the Hutt Bowling. Tennis and Croquet Club’s season. ' Hutt possesses one of the most picturesque ,reas in the Dominion as a sports ground. It is several acres in extent, and i» tastefully laid • out in gardens and playing greens. The main entrance is across a stream, the banks of which are covered with growth, the principal foliage being that of tree ferns, willows, and arum lilies. Peeping out of the undergrowth is usually to he seen forget-me-not flow, ers. Inside the ground tall, neatly kept hedges, some of which arc oyer twelve feet in height, protect the greens from the wind. Arbors and bowers canopied with rose s and honeysuckle,* 1 afford d»lightfu! shade from the sun during the height of summer. There is room for eight rinks on the bowling green, and two‘courts are provided for lady croquet players, and four tennis ■ -courts—two grass and two asphalt. A large number of persons was present, including ladies and visitors from other clubs, when Mr J. Barlow, the president,. declared the greens open for the season. During the course of hie remarks, Mr Baa-low referred feelingly to the loss the club had felt in the death of' the late Mr T. Jones, whom he described "as a man of sterling worth, and one who had helped, with the late Mr C. Hollard and others, to raise tho club to the status that it held to-day. He wished bowlers, croquet and tennis a successful season. Cheere were given when Mrs Barlow rolled "kitty” across the green - : ' The rinks were on the heavy side, and the bowls took very little bias. ~ To. wards the late afternoon they improved and gave promise of keenness when the moisture is out of the ground. During the afternoon teams were -picked by the president and vice-president with tha following result;— P. V,P. Ray, Green, Babington, Barlow (s) - 2 i Parker, Tovey, Meyrick, Simpeon (s) - 19 Bock, Helver, Dempsey, Morris (s) ...: 21 Peck, Harris, Keir, Campbell (s) 14 Pawson. Gatton, Mowbray, Watt <sl M MoDougall Barry, Dawson, Maoaskill (s) - M Humphreys. Foster. Yates, Trevethick (s) W Konnington, Spence, - Jones, Johnson (s) M Allport, Kerr, Young, Davidson (s) 17 Hobbs. Ginger, Hendry, Phm- ' mer ( s) 99 TcagK Guinness, Treadwell, Nicholson (s) 23 Rowe, I bell, Bckorsley, Casey (s) 2ft Jay. Dunstal, Knight, Pollard ' (si - 23 Thompson. Cuff, Naughton, Melhuish (si 19 Russell. Marshall, ITodgins (s) 18 Rvadnook. Eddie, Shearer (s) ... 3t> Totals - 168 113