A WELCOME HOME.

Shannon News, 30 October 1928, Page 2

A WELCOME HOME.

MR AND MRS M. J. SUHAN.

TOUR OF THE NEW ZEALAND

BOWLERS

A genial welcome was given to Mr «■ M. J. Suhan on his return to the Levin bowling green on Saturday afternoon. x Mr Suhan left with the New Zealand team of bowlers on their world tour about eight months ago; he was ac- > companied by Mrs Suhan, and they came back by the Makura, which arrived at Wellington from San Franci- • sco last Monday. Their appearance at the Levin club's pavilion was the sig- , nal for a fusillade of greetings, bowlers and friends being delighted to renew v the old associations and to note " w that Mr and Mrs Suhan were in the best of health and spirits. The day • had.more than one memorable feature, for the Mayor (Mr T. Hobson) became an active member of the club " and Mr Suhan decorated him with the handsome little souvenir badge in ena- "* mel and gilt issued by the New Zea- . land bowling team. The President, Mr J. D. Brown, in , addressing those present, said that they were participating in a bowling day that was a little out of the ordinary, in that the club had with it one of its members who had been on a tour to the Old Country to uphold the stand- . aid of Manawatu as a bowling district... In v keeping with the occasion, there were some visitors present to assist in welcoming Mr and Mrs Suhan back to Levin. "We feel very proud at having had a representative on that tour," said the President. "It is very gratifying to know that Le,vin (Jan send a bowler on such a tour as that has been. Mr Wilmot, secretary of the Otaki club, telephoned me regretting that he would not be able to attend here, but sending the cTub'« best respects .and wishes to Mr and Mrs Suhan and assuring them of a great welcome and a jolly good time wliea they visit Otaki. It might be Baid that a tour such as that of the NewZealand bowlers does not do any good, but I am sure any organisation, sporting or otherwise, that sends representatives to the Old Country is in a manner advertising this Dominion. We know, more about the geography of Great Britain than its people know about us. People over there would ask Mr Suhan. 'Where is Levin? Is is anywhere near Dunedin?' And he would have to tell them where it lies, and that we have a good butter-factory and are reaping dollars from the Old Country, which in return is receiving very' good butter. There is always a benefit in making our country known abroad. A young lady from Scotland, who was coming to Otaki, saw Wellington from the ship and said, 'What a wee bit place! I hope Otaki is bigger. ' We do welcome Mr and Mrs Suhan to our club. We hope that their visits to the other countries have done them an immense amount of good, and that they are glad to have eome back to the old spot and are able to say that they have never seen a better." (Applause.) The Mayor expressed his pleasure in being able to join with the club in extending a hearty welcome home to Mr and Mrs Suhan. His Worship recalled the farewell that had been given them early, in the year, when the hope was unanimous that they would have a pleasant trip to the Old Country and would thoroughly enjoy themselves. He understood that there had not been a rough wave all ( the time' that they were on the water, and therefore, they must have had a very happy journey. Mr Suhan in his travels did not forget Levin, but 1 sent numerous letters and brochures to his giving them some idea of the touring bowlers' experiences. , The Levin elub felt that Mr Suhan was one of the greatest local players, and. although the last game in which they saw him play was one that lost the Dixon Cup. His Worship thought that wheu a few more local body members had joined the club Mr Suhan would be able t« , sally forth with them and re-capture the trophy. Mr Suhan had passed a little 1 of his keenness on,to the speaker, who would like the club now to make him a member. (Loud applause.) In conclusion he had very mueh pleasure in extending a hearty welcome home to Mr and Mrs Suhan. ■ A feeling response was made by Mr Suhan, for. himself and Mrs Suhan. They were very pleased, he stated, t» be back in good old Levin after their long gourney rouiid the world. He then produced a souvenir badge similar to # those with which Mr J. W. Hardley, manager of the team, had decorated the Mayors of the different cities visited, and this he presented t« Mr Hobson, pinning it on the lapel of his coat. He stated that he did this on behalf of the New Zealan'd bowling team and their ladies, and although the badge Was of small value intrincically, it embodied a wealth of sentiment, aiid it would serve to remind His .Worship of the "Dominion bowlers. Mr Suhan gave a review of the tour, and thanked the gathering very heartily for the reception accorded himself and Mrs Suhan.

A very nice afternoon tea was served, and a series of games was played against visiting teams. ■ Rink matches were played, including games against visiting teams, which resulted as follows: —

Routley, Cameron, Smaill, Suhan (s) 20 v\ Foxton (Ross, s) 17. Bryant, Lee, Hutchings, Brown (s) 30 v. Foxton (Hayes, s) 6. Hosie, Lancaster, Sherwood, ißrewster (s) 18 v. Shannon (James, s) 13.