BOWLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 49

BOWLING.

Bv Jack. The Phoenix Bowling Club (Oarnaru) tendered a farewell social last week to Mr W. M‘Laren (who has just retired from the head-mastership of the Oarnaru South School). Mr A. Slater (president of the club) expressed regTet that the club was losing such an expert bowler and good sportsman. Mr M’Laren had a remarkable record on the bowling green, having been New Zealand Singles Champion on several occasions and < 'hampiou of Champions in Australia. He was a valuable club member and one which Phoenix could ill afford to lose. He presented to Mr M'Laren a leather travelling hag, and for Mrs McLaren a purse, hoping that both recipients would soon find their health restored and enjoy life for many years in Auckland. Mr M'Laren was a member of the Dunedin Club for several years, and his prowess as a player is well known in these parts. lie won the Dunedin Club’s singles championship in 1901 and 1914, and in the latter year he won the Dunedin Centre’s champion of champions contest. In addition to winning the N.Z.B. A. singles championship three times, as stated above, Mr M‘l ■aren won the Australasian singles championship in Melbourne in 1905. Many other honours on tho bowling green were also secured by Mr M’Laren. Mr M‘Laren, in replying, thanked his club members for their gifts and for the pleasing sentiments they had expressed. Now that the parting of tho ways had come, it was very gratifying to know that he was leaving with the good wishes of his fellow-members. He had played bowls in every State in Australia, save Queensland. and in every urovinco in New Zealand, but had not played on better greens than the old phoenix at its best, and had not met a better lot witli whom to play than the members of that club. He had had a long experience at bowls, having started early. He won the singles championship of New Zealand in 1p95,1 p 95, 1897, and 1906. and he hoped to continue playing for many years. Mr M‘Daren concluded with interesting reminiscences of early visits to Oarnaru as a bowler and with again thanking (he eathering for their presents and good wishes. NEW ZEALANDERS IN AUSTRALIA. BRISBANE, July 16. The New Zealand bowlers defeated Warwick by 151 points to 125.