VALEDICTORY

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 62, 25 May 1928, Page 5

VALEDICTORY

BOWLERS FORGATHER. Tho President (Mr Leach) presided over a largo gathering of the Stratford Bowling Club, which was hold last evening. Th© President in his opening remarks said that tli© object of tho meeting was to bid farewell to Mr J. H, Battersby who was leaving this week-end for Auckland. However, before going on with that he wished to say a lew 1 words of appreciation for the) services rendered by the club selector, Mr J. Lyons. To hlim wore d/ao the highest of best wishes and approvation. Not only had Mr Lyons been selector but lie had represented the chib in the champion of champions competition for five years, Mr G. Smart said that he fully endorsed the president’s remarks. As Mr Lyons was a. real asset to any clud and the St afford cdub held him in very high esteem in replying Mr Lyons stated that he could only thank the' previous speakers for “their kind appreciation on behalf of thei club. It had always been his ambition, as the club s selector, to give, every member a chance in the, club’s fixtures, that lie bad been successful, he judged from the tact tnat he Had always enjoyed tho responsibility. It had caused him to study the game of bowls and therefore gain considerable know- ! ledge, which ho otherwise ma'y not have had. The President said that the most important toast of the evening was that of hiding farewell to Mr Jas. H. Battersby. He had joined the club a s a colt and through keenness and abition had become an excellent bowler- As far as the club was concerned his departure was to be regretted, at the same ( time, said tho speaker, he also felt sure that he was voicing the opinion of the business folk of tho town. Mr Battersby was going to Auckland and he and Mrs Battersbr carried the best wishes of the club. There -is *o« doubt that th© gnash of the evening had- proved .himself an excellent bowler and also a club member. Mr Smart said that ho could not let an occasion like the departure of! Mr Battersby go without, expressing his appreciation and good wishes to him. Not only as a, bowler but as a man be had always been liked and at Ins departure_ he wished him every prosperity in his now sphere. Mr Ewing said that after a business association with Mr ( Battersby ho had known him and bad admired him and he also wished him every success m the future. Tiie president then presented tVli Battersby with a gold mounted fountain penOther speakers to support .tho president were Messrs _ ilulbert ,anu joyous, who joined their best wishes tu tnac of the president. ■Greeted with applause when hei rose to reply, Mr Battersby sum that he bad attended many larowens during the past 26 years atld had often wondered Wiiat it would bo like to bid farewell to sucu hue friends, as ho had made in Stratford, fie now understood what it meant to depart from tliose that on© had learned to know 'and admire. in thanking the president and the chib members Mr Battersby said that on the bowling green there was an association of good fellowship which, only existed there, and the members of the Stratford Bowling Club bad provided him with many fine friends, all of whom it was hard to part with. In conclusion Mr Battersby thanked the members for the handsome present and. wished the club prolonged prosperity. During the evening a fine programme of musical and vocal items were rendered and all were received with splendid enthusiasm. The following were tliose who contributed towards the programme; Messrs Walters, Martin, Wilson, Amess, Harper, Coe, Vickers, Vincent, J. Edwards. The gathering which had been most enjoyable wins brought to a close with the singing of “Anid Lang Syne”.