BOWLING OPENINGS

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1935, Page 6

BOWLING OPENINGS

WEATHER MARS CEREMONIES. ELTHAM AND TARIKI POSTPONED. Yesterday was the first wet Thursday in Central Taranaki for several weeks, and it coincided with the opening day of four bowling clubs. Avon and Stratford had the ceremony but no play was possible, while Eltham postponed the opening till Saturday and Tariki till the week-end. Rain fell heavily at Stratford during the morning, but the two clubs decided it would- be better to hold the ceremonies than to delay them into the playing season. The weather was only showery in the afternoon, but conditions were not good enough for play. Avon entered on its sixteenth season. Considering the day there was a good attendance, a point that the president, Mr. J. Weston, remarked on before declaring the green open. He said that the weather was not unusual for an Avon opening. The Fitzroy club had intended to send a team for the opening, but in view of the rain had amended its plans and sent good wishes instead. Congratulations to the club on its entry on another season had been extended by the president of the Taranaki centre, Mr. A. H. R. Amess. Mr. Weston considered the greenwarden, Mr. J. .McDonald, and the caretaker, Mr. F. Newland, were to be commended on the condition of the green in view of the poor season after a bad winter. • Those members who had helped toput the grounds in order and the members of the croquet club who assisted in club activities during the winter -and were willing to offer their services during the season deserved thanks for what they had done.

Four stars had been given to the club Mr. Weston continued, by Mr. W. Andrews, Auckland, who had visited Stratford and played at Avon on several occasions. He made the donation in appreciation of the hospitality extended him during his visits. The stars were for competition in the club only, and the defending and challenging team in each case must not include two skips but comprise a lead, second, third and skip who regularly played in those positions. Games would be played of 21 heads. To start the competition the donor suggested that the stars be given to a team picked by and including the president and Mr. Von Sturmer senr., a friend of the donor. Mr. Weston had picked Mr. W. Clemow, oldest member of the club, and Mr. W. Dwyer, youngest member, to fill the other two positions. Mrs. Weston sent up the first kitty and Mr. Clemow played the first bowl. NEW GREEN FOR STRATFORD. ACQUISITION OF THE CLUB. There was a good attendance of bowlers and their wives and friends at the Stratford club pavilion, and the appearance of the green and its surroundings was favourably commented on. The new president, Mr. H. Summerfield, made the opening address. Last year the club had quite a good season, said Mr. Summerfield, but owing to a long dry spell the greens suffered considerably. However, it was hoped to avoid any such trouble this year now that a new green giving accommodation for five rinks had been laid down. Mr. A. H. R. Amess, president of the Taranaki Bowling Centre, congratulated the club on the step forward taken in providing the extra green. It said a great deal for the energy of the new president and executive that so soon after their election they had completed arrangements for the new area at such a very low cost. It w’s a splendid acquisition to the club. Referring to the work of the centre, Mr. Amess announced that a team of Taranaki bowlers would this season pay return visits to Auckland and South Auckland, probably about March. Mrs. Summerfield layed the jack and Mr. C. Thompson, the oldest members of the club, played the first bowl.