ROSLYN BOWLING CLUB

Otago Witness, Issue 2695, 8 November 1905, Page 62

ROSLYN BOWLING CLUB

The recent unsettled weather, while it has had the effect of bringing on a close growth of grass on the various bowling greens, has left some- of them in a damp and spongy condition, and quite unfit to play upon. This was especially the ease on Saturday afternoon with the new and well- designed green at Roslyn, where the turf presented a soaked appearance, which fully justified the Green Committee of the Roslyn Club in postponing the opening match, President v. "Vice-president, to a future date. This decision of the committee, vhen announced, was accepted with approval and philosophic resignation by the many bowlers who assembled to take part in the game, and with their friends, to the number of about 200, they resolved to make the best of what could uot be helped, and during the afternoon they sought solace in the pavilion (where afternoon tea and refreshments were liberally provided by Mrs W. Green), and strolled round the grounds and engaged in sccial intercourse while listening to the instrumental selections played by the Kaikorai Band. The enclosure and pavilion were decorated with flags in honour of the opening ceremony, and the display of bunting, supplemented as it was by the bright

summer costumes of the- many ladies present, harraeni=ed agreeably with the green sward and grassy bank* and the picturesque surroundings where the bowling green is situated.

Mr W. Green (President), after announcing the decision of the committee, as above sftited. expressed regrot that the weather had not been more favourable, and that bowleis would, perforce, have to content themselves that afternoon with seeing a lady roll a bowl along the green. As those present would sec, a great deal of attention had been devoted to improvements on the ground and buildings during the recess, and he might state that further improvements were in contemplation. For what had been done in this direction they were indebted to a number of friends and members of the club— to Mr Walden for preparing plans, and to Mr Wedge for taking the levels when the green was laid out. They now had an excellent green and a. substantial pavilion, and lie thought the residents of Roslyn generally, and those in the immediate locality particularly, weie indebted to the club for the improvements made, as the effect would be to enhance the value of surrounding property. The ground had the advantage of a tramway almost passing its gate, and was conveniently and centrally situated. He was pleased to see so many ladies present, that afternoon, and hoped to see them maintain their interest in bowls by putting in an appearance on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. The membership of the club now totalled 100, an increase of about 30 over the previous year, and he was sure the secretary would be pleased to receive the names of any other intending members, who could be sure of a game owing- to the size of the green, and the fact of Wednesday and Saturday afternoons being half-holidays. He concluded by extending a- cordial invitation to all present to partake of afternoon tea in the pavilion. (Applause.) The first bojvl of the season was then rolled along the green by Mrs Green, and the season was formally declared to be open, the president intimating that if weather conditions proved favourable the ground would possibly be fit to play on about Wednesday next.