OPENING OF THE MORNINGTON GREEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2905, 17 November 1909, Page 62

OPENING OF THE MORNINGTON GREEN.

The recently-formed Mornington Bowling Green, 115 ft by .15ft, claimed to be the largest bowling green in the Dunedin district, was formally opened for the first season's play on Saturday afternoon. The green had a solendid sole of grass on it, and played remarkably keen and true for a. new formation. Situated as it i 3 on a high elevation in the borough, it is sheltered to some extent by surrounding high land and formed terraces from westerly and southwesterly winds, and when the plantations of trees around it have grown up it will be wall-sheltered from all quarters. At the southern side of the green a substantial pavilion, containing a large bowlers' room, kitchen, and committee room has been erected, and the first impression formed of the new green, its position, and appointments a a favourable one. The Elgin road cable tramway passes close to the green and on Saturday special cars were run for the conveyance of visitors to the opening function. Light refreshments were dispensed by a host of ladies. The Morn;ngton Brass Band played a number of selections. Between 400 and 500 persons were present at the opening, and after a number of photographs of the pavilion and those lined on the sloping lawn in front of it had been taken. Mr Wm. Davidson, the prefiident of the club, stepped forward and expressed his great pleasure at seeing so many fellow- ( bowlers, ladies, and friends present, and ! he extended a hearty welcome to aJI. The ' club had been very fortunate in securing j the services of Mr" R. S. Allan, architect j and engineer, who had laid out the green j and planned the pavilion, and also in , securing Mr E. C. Hocking as caretaker, j The work of these gentlemen epoke for , itself. — (Applause.) They were al=o fortunate in having Me»sw F. Webb as , treasurer ana' H. S. Crawford as secretary. The contractors for the work, Messrs Robson and Crawford, had also carried out their work faithfully, although it was understood they had not made a profit upon it. — (Applause.; The directors of the club had also spent a great deal of time and had given a large amount of atttention to

the work; in fact, it was stated that two or three of the number were in danger of being proceeded again3fc for wife desertion, as they were missed from their homes, and on search being made they were found counting the blades of grass as they came up on the bowling green. — (Laughter.) He trusted that before another year had passed they would acquire the two sections adjoining, which were under offer to them, and have them laid out as a tennis court and croquet lawn. In the last-named matter they hoped to have the assistance and support of the residents of Mornington and also of the Mayor and Borough Council.— (Applause.) Mr J. M. Gallaway, president of ..ne N.Z. Bowling Association, said he thought, the Mornington Borough Council would" find a -solution of the tramway financial* difficulty in the formation of the bowling club, as in this and other ways- a suburb was made attractive to visit and reside In. Speaking for St. Kilda, he could confidently say that its bowling- green was one of the commercial assets of the borough. The establishment of a bowling club was also an asset for the ladies, as their husbands, instead of coming nome grumpy from business cares and worries, came home 'bright and cheerful after a game of bowls. Mr A. H. Bridger (Mayor) said the greenhad been formed in a very short tune — the gTass had only been sown - seven months, and it was now fit to play on Mrs Davidson, the wife of the president, then rolled the first bowl up the green, after which visiting bowlers and club wn»b&rs joined in a match President v. Vic°president.