BOWLS

Southland Times, Issue 21218, 20 October 1930, Page 8

BOWLS

SOUTHLAND CLUB

JUBILEE FUNCTION CELEBRATED

PAST AND PRESENT MEMBERS FOREGATHER

Happy memories somewhat dimmed by the passing of the years, were revived, and greetings between distant friends of long standing were renewed on Saturday when the Southland Bowling Club, the oldest in Southland, held its jubilee celebra.tions. Members foregathered in large numbers at both the official opening of the season in the afternoon and at a social function which was,held in the club’s pavilion in the evening. In addition, lady friends and visitors from both the Centre and other clubs assembled to congratulate the club on its achievement while the lengthly list of apologies for absence, comprising telegrams and letters from bowlers in all parts of the Dominion, testified to the popularity in which the Southland Club is held not only by absent one-time members but by the New Zealand bowling fraternity in general. Opening of the Season. Though the elements had not been too favourable earlier in the day, the sun shone forth for the opening of the green in the afternoon. The president of the club, Mr D. H. Thomson, in declaring the 1930-1931 season open for play, expressed his pleasure at the large attendance present at the 50th. anniversary celebrations. The club had been first opened behind the Club Hotel on the Prince of Wales birthday in 1880. Mr Thomson then welcomed five veteran bowlers present. First was Mr James Brackenridge who had come down from Wellington especially for the occasion and who, it seemed, had brought the weather from the capital city with him—a little rain, sun and wind. Mr Brackenridge, continued Mr Thomson, was the only surviving member of the club and was not ashamed of his age—77 years. Then again, all were pleased to see Mr William Smith—“the grand old boy” of the club—who, though not a foundation member, had joined in 1880. He had been the only continuous member of the club and, although he did not play for 20 years at one period, “like a good Scotchman” he had paid his subscriptions all through. Mrs D. H. Thomson, at this stage, pinned on both Messrs Brackenridge’s and Smith's coats the life-membership badges, a pleasing ceremony which was conducted amidst loud applause. The three other veterans, continued Mr. Thomson, were Messrs W. Sebo and J., Hain, of whom both joined the club in 1884, when it removed its headquarters to its present green, and Mr William Cook, who had laid the first sod on the new green. The speaker paid a warm tribute to Mr W. Benzie, upon whom fell the credit for the excellent condition of the green, while Mr W. Mcßobie was also singled out for praise for his efforts as green-ranger. His Worship, the Mayor, Mr J. D. Campbell, in expressing his pleasure at being present at the red-letter day in the club’s history, said he had no doubt that the thoughts of all went back to some' of the splendid men and women of the past, who had been instrumental in carrying on the club, but who had gone across the border. He trusted the club would continue to enjoy the admirable fellowship that had existed down through the years and that mem, bers would prosper in the forthcoming season.

Mr T. Meredith, president of the Southland Centre, congratulated the club on its splendid record last year, an achievement which had never been, eclipsed by any other club. He also thanked the ladies of the club for the loyal assistance so willingly given during the year, and, on behalf of the centre, wished members success during the year. After Messrs Brackenridge and Hain had briefly replied, Mrs Thomson'rolled the first bowl which was a traditional toucher. Rinks were arranged for a friendly game, and, as the green, despite the unfavourable weather conditions during the week, was in good order, a most enjoyable game of ten heads took place.

SOCIAL FUNCTION

GATHERING IN EVENING

REMINISCENCES OF VETERANS.

It was but fitting that the pavilion should have been selected for the social gathering in the evening, for, in the building, were proudly displayed the various trophies, honours boards, medals, badges and certificates which bore eloquent witness to the bowling prowess of both past and present members of the club. The upstairs storey was tastefully decorated with streamers (in the club's colours), fernery and plants, while pride of place was given to a huge birthday cake (the gift of Mrs George Kingsland), on which were arranged 50 coloured candles and “kewpies” dressed in the colours of the six city clubs. The room was crowded to the doors and, among those present, were his Worship the Mayor, Mr J. D. Campbell, Mr T. Meredith, president of the Southland Centre, Messrs Brackenridge (Wellington), Sebo, William Smith and J. Hain (all veteran bowlers), as well as representatives of various city clubs and of those even farther afield. Everywhere good-fellowship was manifested on all sides and the utmost cordiality characterized the function throughout.

Mr D. H. Thomson (president of the club) who presided, after expressing gratification at the large gathering, - asked all to stand in silence in memory of past members who had crossed the border. After the secretary, Mr Bruce Leggatt, had read numerous apologies for absence, Mr Thomson introduced Messrs Brackenridge, Smith, Sebo and Hain. Many a time, he said, “Bill” Sebo had carried the rink on his back. (Laughter.) while Mr Hain had won many a battle and tournament and was still going strong on the Northend green. Continuing, the chairman emphasized that bowling added years to a man’s life. Members gathered to play if it was fine or to have a hand at cards if the elements were unfavourable. It had, therefore, been truly said that if it were not for the bowling greens, additional Old Men’s Homes would be needed. The club was fortunate in its green and pavilion, the latter being second to none in New Zealand, for, although other clubs might be able to boast larger ones, not one possessed conveniences equal with those of the Southland pavilion. He felt sure all would agree that they should be proud at belonging to such a club. Mr Thomson then called upon Mr Brackenridge to confide some of his reminiscences of the bowling days in the club’s early history. Mr Brackenridge, who was warmly received," said that 50 years was a long time and a lot of water had passed under the bridge since then, even in Puni Creek. (Laughter.) He was 27 years old when he first formed the club. Messrs J. Hanna, N. Pettigrew, A. R. Hay and himself were the only four who knew anything about the game and Hanna, Pettigrew and Hain admitted that they had forgotten all about it. Consequently, the duty fell on him to instruct them all over again. When the club was first formed, play ceased at 6 p.m. but Hanna became so enthusiastic that he asked him (Mr Brackenridge) if he would return at 7 p.m. for additional play. Such a course was agreed to and the games then continued, on the general run, until 9 o’clock. A trip was made to Dunedin about 1881 when two matches were played, both on the Dunedin and Caledonian Club's greens, the only two clubs in Dunedin at that date. In 1882, three rinks came from Melbourne and played their first game in New Zealand against the Southland Chib, which proved victorious by winning two of

the three games, R. Buchanan and the speaker being the winning skips. “I can assure you we were the proudest men in the world” declared Mr Brackenridge. “I was skipping against a man named Moss and, as my second, I had a bowler called David Taylor, a brother of the late John and Robert Taylor. He played a ball with a chalk mark on it and old Moss deliberately took it off the green and put it on the bank, saying it . was a ‘dead ball’ (Laughter). Of course, he had no right to do that without warning the Southlander in the first instance, but, as he was the visitor, .1 let it pass. Later, three skips went to Dunedin again to play in the first tournament ever held there. Millar, Hanna and myself made the journey. Millar went down but Hanna and I did well, and, not only made up Millar’s deficiency, but had also 16 points to the good/ which gave us five and a third per rink up, bringing us into second place. Just prior to the Dunedin trip, the club removed to this present green where we enrolled several new members and things went ahead well. Of course, I don’t mind telling you all that had it not been for myself, Hain, here, would not be a bowler at all. He was, in those days, a keen tennis player. I had endeavoured to entice him to the fold but he always ridiculed bowling as ‘an old man’s game.’ One day he could not secure a partner and as I, also, was at a loose end, I induced him to have a game of bowls with me. At the end of a week, he threw his racket away, declaring he would be a bowler or nothing. (Laughter.) Though it is over' 40 years since I left Invercargill for Wellington, I want to assure you that I have always had a very warm spot in my heart for this city and for the splendid fellows I met on the green.” (Loud applause). Mr James Hain paid a warm tribute to his friend, Mr Brackenridge. "He always was and always will be a good fellow.” Mr Brackenridge, as he had said, had set the speaker’s feet on the way to bowling for which he had always been glad. History of the Present Green. After Mr Smith had also recalled amusing experiences and matches of the past, Mr Vvilliam Sebo gave an interesting account of the steps taken to lay-out the present green. Mr Brackenridge said Mr Sebo had referred to the visit of the Melbourne players. During the course of one of the matches one of the visitors chanced to remark that it seemed a pity a larger green was not available and thought a recreation reserve should be secured. Shortly after this opinion wan published in the local Press, Mr Sebo narrated that he happened to be walking along the present reserve through grass almost up to his shoulders when, to his surprise, he observed considerable timber lying around and several men busying. themselves in the vicinity. Not long afterwards he saw two-horse drays with great sods —two feet square. “I don’t mind telling you those sods came all the way from Wallacetown, where a great many other good things come from,” confessed Mr Sebo amid loud laughter. Continuing, the speaker said the green was begun and “a jolly good job” was made of it. With the remainder of the sods a tennis court was laid out nearby. About that time there were over 20 tennis enthusiasts who approached the bowlers to ask them to put down the court. The bowlers “jumped” at the idea and collected over 20 subscriptions, the court, in fact, being ready before the green. A pavilion was erected and taken over by the tennis players and that saw eervice for several years until improvements were effected. Then the bottom storey of the present bowling pavilion was constructed, while, a few years later the second storey was added. To-day, without doubt, the club boasted one of the finest pavilions .of its size in New Zealand, proudly declared Mr Sebo. His Worship the Mayor, after expressing his pleasure at being present, congratulated the club on attaining its 50th anniversary No doubt, he said, memories went back to those splendid pioneers of the past. When one looked round the magnificent pavilion room, one could not help thinking it would not be there that day was it not for the spade work carried out by so many of those who had gone before. (Applause.) On behalf of the Mentre, Mr Meredith also offered felicitations on the club's anniversary. It was, he said, the second sporting body to attain its jubilee, the Invercargill Football Club have recently held their celebrations also. He congratulated the club on its successes last season and felt sure that they would be repeated in the forthcoming season and that the admirable club spirit would still continue to prevail. He wished members <a every success, and hoped to be present at the 60th anniversary. (Applauee.) Mr and Mrs Brackenridge were then given the honour of lighting the candles of the birthday cake, slices of which were handed round to everyone present. During the evening the following gave enjoyable items, -which added in no small'' measure to the success of the function: Mrs D. H. Thomson (songs), Misses E. and D. Thomson (pianoforte duet), and Messrs W. H. Farley (songs), S. Anderson (songs), Frank Johnson (songs), R. L. Pettit (violin) and A. Credgington (recitation)r Miss N. Hay fulfilled the duties- as accompaniste.