BOWLING, TENNIS AND CROQUET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17170, 13 October 1923, Page 9

BOWLING, TENNIS AND CROQUET.

* UNITED CLUB. There was a large muster of players and friends at the United Tennis Club's opening this afternoon. Mr W. Goss, president of the club, apologised for the absence of tho Mayor, Mr Flesher, who was to have opened tho club, and also for Mr P. A. Laurie, secretary and treasurer of the club, who was unable to be present. Mr Goss referred to the club's successful past performances in lawn, tennis, bowling and croquet. He said that the club was in a very successful position, and that there were to be hold in Christchurch the Dominion bowling tournament. New Zealand tennis championships, and the croquet championship. He mentioned tbat Mr John Brown, of the United Club, wa© the president of tho Dominion Bowling Tournament. Mr Goss also referred to th© association'« big venture in connection with tli© Wilding Park courts and appealed for financial assistance from those who had not alread- subscribed. He also appealed to the members to work together for the 1 good of the club. He then declared the season open for 1923-24. Cheers were called for Mr and Mrs Goss. Mr Fi. ,T. Ross handed to the president on behalf of the club, an enlarged photograph of Mr P. A. Laurie, who had been president in 1909-10. and secretary and treasurer since 1911. ft was mainly through Mr Laurie's efforts, he said, that tvV was in such a. financial position. Mr Goss thanked the members for the photograph anil referred to the wholehearted enthusiasm Mr Laurie had always shown for the club's welfare.* He stated that throng), Mr Laurie's efforts the mortgage of £2OOO had been cleared. * Mr T. W. Lewis thanked th© club on behalf of Mrs Laurie, and cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Laurie. Afternoon tea was supplied by Mrs Goss. EDGEWARE CLUB. The official opening of the Edgewa-re Bowling, (roquet and Lawn Tennis Club took place at St Albans Park this afternoon. There was a very large attendance of members and visitors, and the keenest interest was displayed bv all iu the well-being of the club. The “evidence of extensive catering preparations enhanced tho appearance of the* bowling green and tennis courts, and an enjoyable programme of band music was contributed during the afternoon by Derry's Band. Mr- ,T. T>. Colville, president of the club, in declaring the tennis courts open for the season, extended a, welcome to all present and stated that the. present function was th© second time the courts had been opened since the inception of the club. Tt, would have afforded him conriderably more pleasure had he been able to declare an additional number of courts

open, but on account of the damp slat.© j of the ground the contractor had been I unable to complete the three additional new courts in time for the opening ceremony. He had been assured, however, that these would be ready for play within the next six weeks. Th© enthusiasm which had been displayed by members of 'he Tennis Club made them deserving of the additional courts, and he felt sure that as time went on a greater number of courts would be provided. The j financial status of the club would not prevent the formation of these courts. Mr Colville then welcomed the Mayor (Mr J. A. Flesher) and Mrs Flesher. who were among the visitors and declared th© courts to be officially opened for the season. The Mayor said that it was especially encouraging to see tho arrangements which the Edgeware Club had made for the securing of additional courts, and it was pleasing to note that such advantage was being taken of the city's open spaces. He could not understand the objection which some people showed to the use of the recreation spaces of Christchurch by sports clubs. The clubs, he contended, were the best authorities to whom the care of such open spaces could be handed and they could b© thoroughly entrusted with their management. life hoped that the Edgeware Club would be able to pro ducc a champion of champions. He wished th© club all success during th© ensuing season. Tb~ first tennis set played was Officials v. Guarantors. BOWLING SECTION. At -2.30 Mr Colville officially opened the bowling and croquet greens. He stated that, the bowling section was entering on its fifteenth season, and he expressed pleasure- at. the large attendance of visitors and members. He welcomed representatives of the Dominion Bowling Council and Christchurch Centre, and stated that during the coming season the Dominion tourney would lie held in Christchurch, and Edgeware would be in a position to provide one of the best greens in th© city. He spoke of the success of the Edgeware Club . during the past season, and congratulated th© club on th© splendid state of the green and pavilion. The total membership of the club was close on 450. and the bowling section membership was higher than it had ever been before. The Mayor also congratulated the club on its success. Mr Colville officially declared the greens open. Mrs FT. A. Jarden put un the kitty, while Mrs ,T. D. Colville bowled the first, ball. KAIAPOI CLUB. The official opening of the season of the Kaiapoi Bowling Club was held this afternoon. In spite of dull, threatening weather, there was a large attendance of members, ladies and visitors. The president (Dr M. Ramsay) welcomed tho visitors. ami expressed pleasure at seeing so many present. He formerly declared the season open, and Mrs Ramsay rolled the first bowl, amidst applause. Representative rinks were present from many other clubs, and a pleasant afternoon was spent in friendly games. On the croquet green the Croquet, Club opened tho season with a gol Vo. roquet competition. Those present were entertained at afternoon tea by Mrs Ramsay. CHRISTCHURCH CLUB.' There was a large and representative gathering, including many ladies, at the Christchurch Club's opening. The president, (Dr J. ('. Bateman)' welcomed the representatives of other clubs, and especially the ladies who were present. Thp condition of the green gave promise of a very successful season, ami in view of, tlio coming Dominion tournament to be held in Christchurch, he hoped members would practise assiduously and do their best, to bring the coveted honours to -Christchurch, or at least, to the district. Th© president, then formally declared th© green open, and a number of friendly games wore played during tho afternoon. THE HEATHCOTE CLUB. The Hoat.hoote Bowling Club opened the season this afternoon. Th© President (Mr R. Shrimpton) welcomed tlie visitors. There was a good attendance, including representatives from other howling clubs Mrs Shrimpton rolled up the first kitty and bowl, and subsequently several rink games were played. OPAWA CLUB. There was a large attendance of visitors, members and ladies at th© opening of the Opawa bowling green this afternoon. The president of the club, Mr E. W. Eastwood. in declaring the season open, welcomed tlie visitors and pointed out th© many improvements which had been carried out. principally tlie extension of the pavilion, which, be said, trebled the capacity of the building. He thanked members who hod giT»n such excellent ferric© in. connection with the improvements. Especially, be wished to thank Mr A W. Watkins, green suuerin ten dent, and bis assistant, Mr J. Brown. The club was especially indebted to th© ladies for their splendid assistance, and members wished to show their recognition of ■uoh good work Ujr arranging ku ibuir

benefit a pocial on Wednesday. October 24. He expressed the hope that the ensuing season would bo successful, and called upon Mrs O. W. Eastwood to bowl the first ball. Mr Eastwood then directed attention to the extension to the pavilion and thanked tho contractor. Mr J. Haig, fear the fine and expeditious manner in which he had had the work done. H© called upon Mrs O. W. Eastwood to officially open the pavilion. This was done to th© accompaniment, of th© cheers of those present. SYDENHAM CLUB. At the Sydenham Club's green, the visitors, who included a large number of ladies and representatives from the St Albans, Papanui, faparua, New Brighton, Lyttelton, Sumner, Linwood and Oxford Clubs, were welcomed by th© president, Mr W. Hollis's. In the course of a. brief speech Mr Hollins said that, members could see by the green that a. great deal of hard work had been put in during the off season. and the green and its surroundings were in an ideal condition. The club owed its thanks to the greepkeeper and to Messrs M'Kenzie, Knox. Pearce. Cork and Harris, who had assisted the green keeper. Referring to the progress of the club, Mr Hollies said he was proud to be a. member ox the Sydenham Club, because it. had a cosmopolitan spirit about it. The National Anthem was then sung by the gathering, after which Mies Mavis Peek threw the kitty up the green and Mrs Hollies rolled the. first bowl. The president then declared the green open and a friendly match between rinks selected by . the president and the vice-president was played. Among the visitors were the Mayor and Mayoress, and Mr F. Steans. president of the Christchurch Bowling Centre. During the afternoon selections were played by Mr Williams’s orchestra. Afternoon tea was served on the lawn by lady friends of the club.