SUMNER RIPPLES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17758, 30 January 1926, Page 5

SUMNER RIPPLES

CHRONICLES OF THE WEEK

By Our Special Correspondent.

\ BRITISH BOWLERS VISIT f SUMNER. Nearly the full complement of British bowlers, accompanied by the ladies of their party, paid a visit to the Sumner Bowling Club’s green this week, arriving there at 10.30 am. Amongst their party was their score tar)'. Mr Walter Wake and Mr R. Husband, deputy captain. In the unavoidable absence of the president of the club, Mr W. G. Black, the visitors were welcomed by •the deputy president. Mr J. M. B. Crawford, who expressing his pleasure at receiving the British bowlers, on behalf of the club, said that as in the past the victories of Great Britain had been won on the playing fields, so, to-day, the victories of good fellowship were being established on the bowling greens of the Empire. They had been pleased two years ago to welcome the Queenslanders, and they were doubly pleased to welcome players from the Old Countrv. He would ask the Mayor to speak to their guests on behalf of the borough Council. Mr W. H. Nicholson read a telegram of apology from Mr G. W. C. Smithson, a prominent Sumner bowler and an exmayor and said that it was his privilege on behalf of the residents of Sumner to extend a very cordial welcome. The visitors had struck a typically Sumner day and he could assure them that Sumner weather was on the average generally better than that anywhere else. He would like to stress the fact that Canterbury was an English settlement. In Sumner they claimed to possess some of the best elements of the British race and he considered that possibly the visitors contained amongst their numbers some of the best that had been left in the Old Country.

In spite of what they read in the daily press he hoped they would carry away very pleasant memories of Sumner, and that their tour would prove very happy and profitable from a bowler’s point of view. Mr M. E. Lyons, M.P., said that he Would like to be associated with the welcome that was being accorded in his electoral district.. He regretted very much the illness of the president, Mr W. G. Black. His sympathy was with the visitors in their statement that New Zealand bowling was too serious for recreation. In conclusion he wished them all a good time for the rest of their tour.

Mr R. Husband, deputy captain, apologising for the absence of their captain, jokingly remarked that the beautiful weather was the sort they kept in Scotland. In thanking them for ♦heir warm welcome, he said that it was one of the most delightful forenoons they had experienced in the Dominion. Their party numbered fortyone. including eighteen ladies. In Otago they had received a hearty welcome from the Scotsmen but he found Scotsmen in the English settlement of Canterbury. He thought they must have got through the rabbit fencing. He was much surprised at the great increase in the number of bowling greens in the Southern Hemisphere, and he was beginning to think that the two life system of play in New Zealand was b. very good one. He heartily thanked the Sumner Club for its hearty reception. At the request of Mr Crawford the bowlers sang “ Men of Anzac ” and * Mary had a Little Lamb.” Mr Husband presented the mayor and Mr Crawford with badges and morning tea was served. After a very pleasant social hour the proceedings terminated with the singing of the National Anthem and “Auld Lang Syne,” followed by an interchange cf cheers. After a short run through the borough the visitors returned to the city yery pleased with their trip. LIFE SAVING CLUB. Mr J. C. M’Donald occupied the chair mt Thursday’s meeting of the committee of the Life Saving Club. It was decided to enter a team for the Kesteven Cup at Taylor’s Mistake, and to continue the week-end practices at 11 a.m., and to hold regular Thurs day evening instruction meetings at which a course of team drill, land drill and resuscitation would be followed. Subject to their acceptance, the names of Messrs G. Burns, A. Smith and W. J. Sim were added to the present committee. VOLUNTEER LIFEBOAT BRIGADE. The difficulties of the lifeboat crew after a recent rescue were somewhat increased by the darkness of the night. From the bar no familiar object was clearly visible, making the course a

difficult one; and on arrival at the pier the present lighting was found to be insufficient. Night rescues occur but rarely, yet something might be done to make the setting of a course an easier task. Taking a sympathetic view of the matter on Monday evening, the Borough Council decided to ask the lighting manager to place another lamp near the end of the pier. This will facilitate the housing of the boat on a similar occasion. MARINE BAND. Taking advantage of the fine weather, the Sumner Marine Band gave an outdoor concert at the rotunda near Cave Rock on Sunday last. The programme rendered under the baton of Mr M. Prebble, conductor, was much appreciated by a large audience of visitors and residents. CLIFTON BRIDGE. During the week a start was made with the re-decking of the bridge. Working from the east end the staff is removing the present timber which in many cases is much decayed. A new decking is to be built and the rails re-laid, entailing work that cannot be finished for a week or two. LIGHTING MATTERS. The lighting manager has reported to the Borough Council that the standard of calorific value of the gas supplied has averaged 270 British thermal units. The contractor for the new works would commence the alterations as soon as advice has been received that the retorts had been shipped. Seven new consumers had been connected. In the electric department, eight new consumers had been connected and twenty-one street lamps renewed. Heavier lines were being run in the side streets to increase the voltage. The Peace Memorial and the South African and Borough Memorial lamps on the esplanade had been wired and lighted. MORNING VISITORS. During the past ten days the Borough has received regular morning visits from the Sockburn air fleet. The well known droning of the propeller has been the signal for a rush to the streets, and in spite of the early hour, numbers made their way to the beach where the movements of the visitors attracted much attention. In many instances a great deal of pleasure has been obtained by watching the fliers make their low sweeps along the beach on their way to the New Brighton spit. MAYORAL CUP COMPETITION. The Sumner Life Saving Club has decided to hold the competition for the Mayoral Cup at the end of February. This important fixture is a three man event in which the beltman and two members are selected by ballot. On the day of the contest a further ballot is taken for the resuscitator. In this way the technical knowledge of the team is tested very thoroughly and a very valuable competition organised. The club has decided to close the entries on February 7 and to announce the first ballot immediately afterwards. PERSONAL. Mr Crisp, the energetic president of the Sumner Marine Band, is making a good recovery from a severe illness, and is expected to return to the borough in about a week’s time. THE HOLIDAYS. This week has provided some excellent summer weather and on Thursday in particular, a very large attendance of visitors was recorded. Making good use of the last week of the school holidays hundreds visited the beach, which in the afternoon was well sprinkled with bathers and paddlers from end to end. The sea wall near the Cave Rock appeared to be a favourite picnicing ground for the family party, but large numbers made for the Scarborough end.