QUEENSLAND BOWLERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16923, 23 December 1922, Page 9

QUEENSLAND BOWLERS.

CIVIC RECEPTION. The party of Queensland bowlers and their wives and families who are visiting Christchurch were accorded a civic reception at a largely attended gathering held in the City Council Chambers this morning. In the absence of the Mayor (Dr H. T. J Thacker), the chair was taken by Councillor A. Williams. A large number of prominent bowlers were present. Councillor "Williams said he regarded it as a very great honour to be able to welcome the Queensland bowlers to the city of Christchurch, and he trusted that thoir sojourn would be one of abundant pleasure arid enjoyment. When they desired a change from the bowling green he hoped they would have a good look around the city, because they would find ample to see and would carry back with them to Queensland pleasant memories of the Garden City of New Zealand. Councillor Williams said he was not a bowler, but he hoped that on some future occasion he would find time to indulge in that favourite sport. Ono of the best features of the bowling green was the splendid social spirit. Bowlers made friends in every part of the world, and no bowler need feel lonely in a town where there was a bowling green. He had very great pleasure in extending a hearty welcome tb the visitors, and wished them ©very enjoyment while in Christchurcn and a happy Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year. Mr E. C. Chegwin. president of the Christchurch Bowling Centre, said that the bowlers of Christchurch and the bowling centre of Christchurch extended to the Queenslanders a hearty welcome to the city, Christchurch bowlers felt they must reciprocate in some manner the splendid way the New Zealand bowlers were treated while in Queensland. Bowling was making fast progress in New Zealand. There were twenty-nine clubs in and about the city of Christchurch with about 1300 or 1400 bowlers, and about 1-4,000 in the v hole of New Zealand. It had now become practically the national pastime. He wished to join in extending a very hearty welcome to the visitors and trusted that they would thoroughly enjoy their stay in Christchurch.

Mr y. Steans, vice-president of the Christchurch Centre, also extended a hearty welcome to the visitors and remarked that he believed it would not be long before the visit was returned. (Hear, hear.) He wished them all a happy Christmas and a bright and pros- j perous New Year. Mr John Brown, vice-president of the j Dominion of New Zealand Bowling j Association, on behalf of the bowlers 1 of the whole of New Zealand, said he was very pleased to welcome the visitors. He trusted they would thoroughly enjoy their stay in Christchurch, Mr R. J. Archibald president of the Queensland team expressed his appreciation of the hearty welcome accorded to Ins party. He was very pleased to notice in the speeches lie had heard since he came to New Zealand a spirit of brotherhood between New Zealanders and Australians and he believed that [ was one of the things they had to ! thank the late war for. 'Hie Queens- j landers were glad to have file oppor- . tunity of visiting the beautiful city of i Christchurch. Some bad been in New j Zealand before but the majority were ! here for the first time. In bis experi- i ence Australians who had visited New j Zealand proved wonderful ambassadors I im New Zealand as they extolled the beauties of the country* to practically ; ail Australians they met. Two years f.go the Queensland bowlers had had tho pleasure of a visit from a party of New Zealand bowlers and he had not been contented until he was able to gor together a party of Queenslanders to re-pay that visit. Throughout New Zealand lie felt sure (as it was in Australia) that whenever a bowler landed i» a town and met a bowler he practically got the freedom of the city. Bowlers were patriotic people and the spirit-of loyalty dominated the bowling greens throughout Australia and New Zealand. Mr Archibald again thanked the speakers for the very cordial welcome extended to his party and «aid he felt sure all would thorough enjoy their stay in Christchurch. He hoped that there would be annual or biennial visits between New Zealand and Australia end when the New Zealanders got to Australia they must on no account leave out Queensland. In conclusion he wished all the Christchurch bowlers a merry Christmas and a happy. New ! Year. (Applause.) Mr F. VV. Mason, manager of the : Queensland team, said that what had I impressed the members of the team j more than anything else during their j visit was the loyalty of the New Zeai lenders and their love of country. He : thanked Councillor Williams very sin- ; ceiely, on behalf of the party, for the ! Civic, welcome extended to them. The Queenslanders then sang ‘‘The ; Bowlers’ Chorus ” and the gathering I concluded with the National Anthem.