DUNEDIN BOWLING CLUB.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13544, 17 March 1906, Page 5

DUNEDIN BOWLING CLUB.

A very enjoyable social gathering wa9 held by the members of the Diuiedin Bowling Club in the pavilion last evening for the purpose of spending an evening with one of tihe mo6t respected members of the club (Mr Andrew Mowat.) and also of bidding good-bye and bon voyage to Mr R. P. Smith (the late president), who leaves on a visit to the Home Country shortly. Tho chair was occupied by J£r T. G. Young, and iiiere were some 70 members present, amongst them being several of the oldest members, including Mr A. M'Diarruid. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Messrs John Mitchell and William Wright,

In the course of the proceedings an excellent portrait of Mr Morat was unveiled by tire chairman. The portrait, which was executed by Mv O'Keefe, is remarkably lifelike, and the colouring is splendid, the production reflecting the highest credit on the artist.

fhe Chairman, alter mentioning thai several members of the club were unavoidably absent owing to other engagements, proceeded to explain that the reason he occupied tho chair was that Hie Bowling Club had been merged intothe Dnnedm Bowling and Tennis Company, and the offices - of president and vice-president of the club (occupied by Mr R. P. Smith and himself respectively) no longer existed. At a meeting of the provisional directors of the company he (Mr Young) had been olecfetl chairman. The speaker then explained the objects lor which the gathering ws.s being Jield. There had been a feeling amongst members that the exceptional services rendered bv a number of old members in (he days gone by should be recognised, and it had been suggested that portraits of thoso members whom it was desired to honour should be procured. Tliev had met that night to unveil the portrait, of the first member who bad been selected for the honour referred to. and all would agree that the committee had acted wisely in choosing Mr Andrew Mowat, who was the most popular man on the Dunedin green. In JSS7 and ISSB, when 'Mr Mowat occupied the positions of vice-president and president of tiie club respectively. Hie devoted tho whole of his spare 'time to the interests of the members During his term as president ho wade o. special effort in regard to the questions of reducing the club's debt, getting more members and endeavourling lo redress just grievances. He .successfully accomplished the first two, hut was a little doubtful "regarding the third. Mr Mowif) was chairman of the Now Zealand Bowling Association in 18S8. and filled that position with very great ability. The chairman, -who referred in detail to some of tflie many valuable services rendered by the guest, concluded by unveiling tho portrait, amidst tlis heartiest of cheering and the singing of For he is a jolly good fellow." Mr Mowat's health was then drunk wilu enthusiasm, and thu above lefrain was repeated with much vigour.

Messrs C. S. Reeves, C. J. Payne, D. Russell, and D. M'Pherson oleo spoke briefly all paying a tribute to Mr Mowat's worth "as a member of tho bowling fraternity, Mr Mowat, who received quite an ovation on rising to respond, said ho could not express the gratitude he felt at the honour that had been brotowod upon him. Tho chairman had given him credit for doing so much for the club that he felt he must bo a much betta ■man than ever lie thought he -was. Howovor, he had always dono his best for tho cfob, but still he felt that ho was not entitled to ha first selected for tho honour that had been conferred upon him, 23 -several other old members had rendered tho club invaluable service. Alt a later stage of tho proceedings Mr P, Miller (who had taken the chair owing to Mr Young having to leave to fulfil another engagement) proposed tho health of Mt E. P. Smith (the late president). Mr Miller said that MiSmith had rendered yeoman servico to the club during his term as president, and he wished him a happy voyage, and that he himself, his -wife, and the members of Qiis family would enjoy the best of health. In conclusion, Mr Miller presented Mt"Smith with a veTy serviceable handbag as a' token of the esteem in

which lie was held by his fellow members. Mr Smith returned thanks for tho members' expression of goodwill, which ho took as strong evidence of the good fellowship existing amongst the fraternity of bowlers. Though he .was going awiiy for a few years ho would always remember with the fondest pleasure the good tinws he had spent on the Dunedin green, and Ji«| hoped (that when lie rc- ■ turned he would find the members of the club in the best of health and spirits. The toast mf the New Zealand Bowling Association was also honoured, being proposed by Mr D. M'Pherson and responded to bv Mr C. J. Payne (president of the association). During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs Harry Smith, W. Thomson, J. A. Hoporaft, E. Falck, F. Hendry, and P. Miller, and a recitation was givon by Mr H. M'PherSon. Mr Thomson's song was composed by Mr A. Fraser, in honour of Mr Mowat, a,nd was very acceptably received by all; in fact, all the songs were excellently Tendered, and evoked the heartiest demonstrations of approval.