MASTERTON BOWLING CLUB.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8869, 1 November 1907, Page 5

MASTERTON BOWLING CLUB.

OPENING OF THE SEASON.

Favoured with* ideal summer weather, the Masterton Bowling Cluo officially opened the season yesterday afternoon. There was a large gathering of bowlers present, some of whom had come from Greytown ajid Carterton, and these, with their friends and a large body of ladies, who had taken advantage of. the beautiful afternoon to appear in their summer costumes, made the scene a very gay one. The greens had received careful preparation and were in capital order.

At a suitable interval, Mr 0. Pragnell, president of the club, delivered a short opening address. At the outset, he said he had, on behalf of the committee and members of the club, to, welcome the visiting bowlers, whom He was pleased to see in attendance, and he hoped they would enjoy themselves. Not only did he wish them a successful afternoon on the Masterton green, but in their own clubs during the whole season. He trusted that the good feeling that had hitherto existed between the clubs would continue. Bowlers, as a rule, were noted for their sociability, and he hoped that they would live up to their reputation during the coming season. The number present and the other circumstances augured well for the season's success. "We are going to make this season a record one," was the President's optimistic remark. "We are going to have a record membership," he "added, "and we are going to be as sociable as we jolly well can; and if, at the end of the season we find that we have achieved no great things, we will have the satisfaction of knowing that we have had a real good time." He urged the members to work to obtain new members, and if they only secured one each, the club would have the proud distinction of possessing the largest membership of any bowling club outside the four centres. He thanked the ladies for their past favours and kindness in assisting- the club, and he also paid a tribute to Mr Denby's efficient preparation of the greens. The first "jack" was then thrown up the green by Mrs Pragnell, wife of the President, after which; to use the -President's words, "the bowlers got at it in grim and deadly .earnest." Several rinks were played during the afternoon, and the games proved very enjoyable. Considering that it was the commencement of the season, the bowling generally was very good. During the afternoon refreshments, provided by the President, were served by an energetic body of ladies. A number of selections, played by Mr Reihana Boyes' string band, added greatly to the afternoon's enjoyment.

The games played were between teams chosen by the President and Vice-Presidents, the former winning by 6 points. The aggregate- scores were: —President's team, 138 points; Vice-President's team, 132 points. The detail scores.are as-follow'..(the President's rink being mentioned first in each instance):—Blackrhan, Whelch, J. Hunter, Hollings (skip), 17. lost to Mutrie, Buttrey, King, Whittaker (skip),- 22. Robertson, Elliott, Wright, Henderson (skip), l 15, lost to Haughey, Rev. Buttle, Prentice, Cresswell (skip), 23. Thompson, Blinkhorne, Carpenter, 0. Pragnell (skip), 27, beat Daniell, 'Gilding, W. Pragnell, Dupre (skip), 21. Long, Chamborlain, Nix, Ewington (skip)', 32, beat Johnstone, White, Scott, Coradine (skip), 16. Finlayson, Rankin, Rev. Thompson, Richards (skip), 23, drew • with Hunter, Williams, Gordon, Kose (s'up), 23. Torrence, Tabateau, Day, Rig& (skip), 24, lest to Haigb, Humphreys, Nicholls (skip), 27. ,'