BOWLING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 579, 8 October 1932, Page 10

BOWLING.

Many Christchurch Clubs Open Season. PLAYERS ENJOY A GAME. The bowling season was opened by a number of (-hristchurch clubs in perfect weather this afternoon. Over 500 bowlers, many of whom were visitors from clubs that have not yet opened, enjoyed their first roll up of the season. Wives of bowlers and friends were present at all greens in full force. CHRISTCHURCH CLUB. There was a large muster of players and a sprinkling of representatives from other bowling clubs in Christchurch at the official opening of the season at the Christchurch Club's green. Mr C. J. Morrison, president of the Christchurch Centre, congratulated the club on its progress and wished it success during tlie season. He referred to the hard task which the centre had to administrate the 4 1 clubs Avith about 1700 players under its jurisdiction. He thanked the club for the loan of its green on important occasions and said that overseas players had gone away with pleasant memories of the club. The president of the club, Mr T. Woolf, said that he thought it an extraordinary thing that the club should be celebrating its fifty-eighth opening. In two years it would celebrate its diamond jubilee. It Avas the second oldest club in New Zealand and the premier club in Canterbury. He referred to the fact that Mr S. Manning, one of the oldest members of the club, was celebrating a jubilee in connection with the opening of the season. He had attended fifty openings without missing a single one. The green Avas in excellent order for Miss Woolf, daughter of the president, sent down the first jack, and Mrs Woolf rolled the first bowl. Friendly games were played during the afternoon. ST ALBANS CLUB. Both the bowling and croquet sections of the St Albans Bowling and Croquet Club opened tlieir season with friendly games. The bowling green, on which many of the Dominion championship matches were played last year, was in splendid order. Every condition for a successful season’s play appeTired to be present, stated the president (Mi* R. H. Mitchell). He trusted that the good condition of the green Avould attract more members. The membership had steadily declined since the Elmwood Club had come into existence and deprived St Albans of a large area from which it had previously drawn its membership. He wished Elmwood every success, but stressed the importance of keeping up the St Albans membership, which bad declined from 110 to 70. Mr R. W. Brown, one of the veteran members of the club, was presented with a life member’s badge, and was accorded a round of cheering. The first bowl, which was sent down by Mrs Mitchell, was a toucher. The croquet section's season was opened by Miss E. Crawshaw, captain. EDGEWARE CLUB. The membership of the Edgeware Club exceeds that of last season, according to a statement by the president (Mr J. B. Bortliwick) at the opening of the green. He congratulated members on their interest in the club, and was ileased to announce that the executive had decided to enter twelve rinks in the A section of the centre’s pennant competition. The green had never looked better, he said, and he mentioned that in the twenty-third year of its existence the club still had the following foundation members: —Messrs J. W. Beanland, J. D. Colville, P. Matson, G. Lucas, B. Munro, W. Pearce, 11. West and W. E. Simes. Mrs J. W. Beanland, wife of the pastpresident, threw the first kitty, and Mrs Bortliwick sent down the first bowl, which was a toucher. The croquet section of the club Avas opened for the season by Mr Bortliwick, avlio referred to the healthy state of the finances. Mrs Bortliwick hit the first ball. OPAWA CLUB. There was a large attendance at the Opawa Bowling Club when the season was opened. The president (Mr C. J. Goldstone) said that from every point of A-ieiv the club Avas one of the best in New Zealand. The club had a good membership and it was increasing every year. Mr Goldstone made reference to the improved play of the young members, and also the excellent condition of the green. The kitty was thrown up by Miss Robbins and Mrs Goldstone delivered the first bowl. BECKENHAM CLUB. The opening of the season at the Beckenham Bowling Club was attended by over 150 members and visitors. After extending a welcome to all, Mr Dobbs referred to the help that the ladies had given the club. No club, he said, should be afraid of having lady members. He thought that the time would come when the clubs in Christchurch AA-ould have as many lady members as the clubs in Dunedin. Mr Dobbs also spoke of the excellent condition of the green. Miss Hazel Dobbs rolled up the kitty and Mr» Dobbs sent down the first bowl. Players then participated in friendly games. IMPERIAL CLUB. ** A howler is like a piece of cheese,” said Mr Derisley Wood in opening the Imperial Club season. ” The older it gets, the better it is.” Mr Wood commented on the state of tlie green, saying- that it was in excellent condition. There were some good players and there was everything to indicate that the club would have a good season. In the past, some excellent players had belonged to the club, and very creditable , positions had been obtained in the : championships, and there was no reason why the players this year should not do well. airs Wood rolled down the first jack and the first bowl. SPREYDON CLUB. air W. Reddington declared the season open at Spreydon. There was a particularly large gathering of members and friends, in fact one of the largest that they had ever had. air Reddington thanked the green superintendent, air Allen, for his excellent care of the green. He also welcomed the lady bowlers. airs Smith rolled the first jack and aiiss Hepburn the first bowl. AULSEBROOK'S CLUB. In excellent surroundings, air W. Brown, president of the club, declared the season opened. He welcomed the visitors to the club. He said that they Avere expecting a good season as the players Avere keen and the green was in good condition. airs BroAvn played the first jack and the first bowl. RANGIORA CLUB. The twenty-seventh season of the Rangiora Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club was opened in ideal Aveather. There was a large attendance of memb’ers and visitors. Mr L. W. Wilson, president of the club, extended a cordial welcome to the visitors, and concluded a brief speech by asking Miss N. Bailey, the lady tennis captain, to deliver the first bowl. He then declared the season open. With the play in the different sections in progress, the ground presented an animated scene. CASHMERE HILLS CLUB. That good fellowship would be the motto of the Cashmere Hills Bowling Club in the coming season was a hope expressed by the president (Mr H. A. Bruce) in declaring the season open. He referred with regret to tlie death of the Rev W. Baumber, and to the absence of the past-president. Major Berrow, owing to illness. A club member, Mr C. J. Morrison, bad been elected president of the Christchurch Centre. The good wishes of the centre Avere conveyed to the club by Mr Morrison. A grandson of the president. Master Bruce Howarth, sent down the first jack, to be followed by the first bowl, propelled by Mrs F. H. Chester, a stepdaughter of the president.

KAIAPOI CLUB. The Kaiapoi Bowling and Croquet Club’s season was officially opened by the president (Mr S. Menneer), who, after welcoming the visitors, congratulated th-a green superintendent (Mr F. L. Parnham) on the excellent condition of the green. Mrs Menneer threw the first jack, and Mrs J. M'Mullan delivered the first bowl. Mr R. W. Hawke. Ml’., and Mr 1,. B. Evans, on behalf of the Christchurch Centre, also addressed the gathering. The croquet season was declared open by the president (Airs J. M’Mulla,Tlie visitors were entertained at afternoon tea by the president and Airs Menneer and friendly games were played.