BOWLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5740, 7 December 1896, Page 4

BOWLING.

OPENING OF THE CHRISTCHURCH GEEEN. The new pavilion and other improvements at the green of the Christchurch Bowling Club having been completed, play for this season was begun there on Saturday afternoon in beautiful weather, which helped the green, with its charming surroundings of trees and flowers, to appear to the best advantage. The new pavilion and its accessories were described on a previous occasion, so that it is needless now to say more than that they are a very great improvement, both in appearance and for convenience, on those which they have supplanted. The green itself was, from a bowlers' point of view, in admirable order ; and, altogether, the gathering was one of the most pleasant ever held in connection with the club. At the invitation of the President (Mr George Bonnington), a large number of visitors assembled, including many ladies, and the President and officials of the Canterbury Bowling Club. The guests were entertained by Mr Bonnington in most hospitable fashion Mr Painter's string band jdayed several pieces exceedingly well. From a marquee, under the direction of Mr J. Freeman, tea, coffee, cake, fruit, sweetmeats and other light refreshments were lavishly dispensed; and in the pavilion was a supply of other refreshments which seemed to be monopolised by the gentlemen. Comfortable seats and handy little tables were placed around the green ; and visitors who did not care to watch the play closely could amuse themselves with the illustrated books and papers provided for the purpose. Sides were picked by the President and Vice-President, and the former Avon hy three points. The following were the rinks and scores : —No. 1, President— A. A. M. M'Kellar, W. B. Scott, B. Throp, E. Struthers (skip), o ; Vice-President — A. F. N. Blakiston, C. Mollett, Barnett, H. Thomson (skip), 22. No. 2, President— H. H. Paul, O. Bishop, Dr Anderson, S. Manning (skip), 25 ; Vice-president — J. A. Bird, Goss, C. F. Money, G. Lambie (skip), 19. No. 3, President— A. V. B. Bishop, H. N. Nalder, Dr Thomas, Of. Bonnington (skip), 21 ; Vice-president — C. E. Blakiston, C. A. C. Cuningham, H. J. Raphael, J. C. Maddison (skip), 19. No. 4, President — W. H. Lane, F. Hobbs, Major Taylor, Dr Brittin (skip), 25; Vice-President — T. S. Foster, A. Appleby, C. Cuff, V. W. Parsons (skip), 13. Total, President's side, 76 ; Vice-president's side, 73. . After the match the players and a number of visitors assembled in the pavilion, where Mr T. Skelton, president of the Canterbury Bowling Club, proposed the health of Mr Bonnington. The toast was honoured with great heartiness, and Mr Bonnington made fitting response. The toasts of Mr Skelton, Dr Thomas (Secretary of the Christchuich Bowling Club), and of the Press, were also drunk. Mr Skelton challenged the Christchurch Club to a four-rink match with the Canterbury Club on the ground of the latter on Saturday next, and the challenge was promptly accepted.