BOWLING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19001, 25 October 1923, Page 4

BOWLING.

By J aok. Anderson's Bay, St. Kilda, Kaituna, Otago, and Taieri greens opened on Saturday, and favoured with line though dull weather, the attendance was good in each instance. Mr A. IT. Toukinson, president of (ho Anderson’s Bay Club, in, his speech of welcome to club members and visitors, said that the club was still in its infancy, and more members were required, and he hoped that residents would rally round and become members. The Bay green bears a much improved appearance. Mr H. Smeaton, president of the St. Kilda Club, loft nothing undone to ensure the enjoyment of the many patrons at the club's opening function. His .enjoyment was in seeing others enjoy themselves. The club’s pavilion has just been repainted and renovated, and bears a very smart appearance. The work was carried out by several members of the club, who formed themselves into a working bee, and in recognition of their self-sacrificing labour they wore each presented on Saturday afternoon with a serviceable fountain pen. Mr Smeaton, in his address, made special reference to the valuable-services to the club of Air W Jacobsen, who was one of the hardest workers the club had ever had. Mr Smeaton also extended the -club’s greetings to Mr A. Stoneham, an ex-member of the club, who has been spending a holiday in Dunedin.

There was n full green at tho Kaituna. Club's opening, and Mr Moir (president) had a busy time in seeing that none of the many natrons was neglected, and in this task he succeeded admirably. Air A. J. Sullivan, on behalf of the centre and of the Dunedin Club, convoyed the hearty greetings and good wishes for the coming season.

On approaching the Otago Bowling Club’s green on Saturday last, tho attention of the visitors was attracted by the unexpectedly large attendance of members and visitors. Such a large gathering was hardly anticipated, knowing that so many townspeople favoured the week-end habit. The president and Mrs Falconer were on hand early to welcome their guests, who included many members from sister clubs. Air Falconer’s opening remarks were very happily expressed, and much to the point. After voicing a welcome to all those present, he referred to the death of Air Win. Dawson, who had been the patron of the club ever since its inception, though he had not been able to take an active )art in the game for some years past. On lienalf of all members he extended sympathy with the relatives of Mr Dawson. In connection with the coming season’s . play, he wished to remind the ladies that the dun was favourably inclined towards the formation of a ladies’ section, and that notices had already been sent out with reference to a preliminary meeting, Mr Wright, representing tho centre, wished success to the club during the coming season, and complimented members on their entering twelve rinks in pursuance of their policy to compete according to the playing strength of the club. Air W. R. Don said he was pleased to be present, first as president of the West Harbour ■Club, and secondly because, he had been a former club mute ot the Otago men. He extended his good washes for the season.

Mrs Falconer then rolled up a “toucher.” and the green was declared open for the season.

The arrangements were in the hands of ■the president, Mrs Falconer, and the secretary (Captain Sundstrum), and the trio had things working smoothly from the start. Special commendation is cine to Mrs Falconer for her tasteful floral decorations, and - for the plentiful supply of afternoon, lea and cakes. Assisting her were a number of willing, workers, and everyone was well looked after and well pleased. The games were started immediately the addresses had been given, and this was effected through the careful distribution of cards among the competitors as they came on to the green. Thanks are due to the Kaikorai Band, under Conductor Hilmer Davie, who contributed numerous items during the afternoon.

The afternoon’s enjoyment was due to a great extent to the efforts of two persons not present during the ceremony. -Mr C. Speight, as supervisor, and Mr Warren, the greenkeeper, had had a lot of work and anxiety during the last few months, endeavouring to get the green into playing condition.

The play on Monday (Labour Day) was restricted to progressive doubles, which fully occupied seven rinks for the day 1 . One noticeable feature was the small scoring, no “hatfuls” being obtained. The prizes were two cakes, nicely iced and surmounted by a black and a white kewnie, and were won by Captain Sundstrum as skip and Mr Ewen Cameron as lead. Mrs Falconer and her assistants again provided refreshments. The Port Chalmers and Green Island Greens will be opened for the season on Saturday next. At a meeting of a bowling club hot a hundred miles from Raelihi (says an exchangee) two members were nominated to fill the vacancies on the committee. Both were hard of hearing, and the surprised look on their faces when they saw their names on the ballot paper caused considerable amusement among members. A lively debate took place at tho annual meeting of the Albury Bowling Club (Victoria) on a motion submitted in favour of the opening of the greens to play on Sunday afternoons, with the condition that those participating should pay a small fee for the -upkeep of the grounds. It was contended that the change of policy would increase the membership, and the game, being of a “ quiet character,” would not offend the religious susceptibilities of the community. Mr G. A. Williams, vice-president, said that if tho motion was carried he would bo obliged, on conscientious grounds, to consider seriously whether he could continue his membership. Although the playing of Sunday games by young people might have become, in a sense, the accepted thing in the present age, it would be a vicious example to the community if influential townsmen and fathers of families, who comprised for the greater part the membership of the club, made the serious departure of ignoring the religious significance of the Sabbath. Other speakers contended that there would be a serious falling off in the club membership if the motion was carried, and that many men who loved the game as their only pastime would be deprived of much pleasure because they could not he members of a club which offended their religious scruples. It would appear, it was stated, that in Victoria only .one club engaged in Sunday play. The advocates of the change withdrew the proposition in view of the strong opposition displayed.

Caledonian bowlers visited Kaitangata on Monday and were treated with tho hospitality for which that town is famed. Mr Espie cordially welcomed the visitors and then tho Kaitangata bowlers proceeded to demonstrate they are not only good sports but good players also by defeating Dunedin’s champion club by 142 points to 127. The weather was fine and the green played true, although the visitors were slightly handicapped on account of its length—l2oft. Mr D, Trainor (vice-president of tho Caledonian Club) thanked tho local players for tho remarkably hospitable manner in which the visitors had been treated. The following are the detailed scores: — W. Duncan, G. M’Vie, G. Clark, W. “Rumago 30, v. 11. Proctor. J. Robertson, A. Summered, W. Henaghan 11; P. Souness. W. Thomson, T. Carson. J. Rutherford 16, v E. Chilcott, R. T. Wheeler, J. Hamilton. D. Trainor 15: R. M’Gillivray. V. T. Bissett, A. J. Maiden, T. Sharp 24, v. T. Critchlield, W. Ross, J. Ross, A. Honey - man 23; A. Stewart, jun., T. Cairns. A. Stewart, J. G. Henderson 19, v. H. Barrett, .). Barron, T. Barron, J. Wells 21; J Gribben, 'W. Clark, J. Burleigh, J. Pryde 19, v. C. Eyro, A. Kerr, J. Hotting, W. C. Hendry 19; R. Kitto, T. Espie, \. M’Ghie, J. Kyle 22, v. W. Elliott, J. Roscow, E. Carroll, W. Foster 17: C. Anderson, W. Gtsbbon, E. M'Fadyen, J. Neilsou 12, v. C. Latham, D. Murio, J. Ranson. J. Abbott 21. Totals : Kaitangata 142. Caledonian 127. A meeting of those interested in the formation of a ladies’ section in the Otago Club was held yesterday afternoon when it was unanimously .decided to form a ladies’ branch. The proceedings were of a very enthusiastic nature. Another meeting will bo held next week when the officebearers will be elected. St. Kilda green was fully occupied on Monday, and a progressive doubles was played. F. Pettoock, being (be winning skip, and D. Bryce tho winning lead. During the. afternoon a very pleasing interlude was occasioned by tho presentation of a case of Loowe pipes from the members of the club to Mr E>. Bryce on tho occasion of his eightieth birthday. Mr J. M. Gallaway, in a brief but very appropriate speech, referred to the very high esteem in which the recipient is held, and assured him of tho wannest feelings of every member of the club, and the sincere wish of all that ho may bo spared for many years to enjoy bis well earned leisure. Eighty years of ago. and still able to “draw tho shot” is a record that few attain ; and to show that he is still far from being “on the hank,” he celebrated his birthday by winning the lead’s prize in the doubles re-