ST. JOHN'S TOUR.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17552, 22 April 1919, Page 5

ST. JOHN'S TOUR.

(Special to "Chronicle.")

The second game of the tour was played on Saturday morning against New Plymouth. The feather prospects in the early morning were anything but favourable but by the time play started everything was serene. The green was in fair order and considering the recent rain was fairly keen. A hearty welcome was extended to the visitors by Mr Allan Smart, and after a brief response by Mr Christie the choir rendered the famous "Battle Song,'" hoping this would intimidate the New Plymouth players, but it had a contrary effect, as St. John's were very" decisively beaten. Every rink went down by considerable margins, the New Plymouth players all being right up to form and amply revenged their defeat of last year. A handsomely mounted silver cup is handed to the winners of the annual fixture between these clubs, so that as a result of their win New Plymouth hold the cup for the teason. As usual, the* Now Plymouth brethren hospitably entertained, their guests and at the close of the game the choir were again ia cv»» deuce and their efforts were highry appreciated by their opponent. ' Jn the afternoon the visitors tried conclusions with the Fitzroy Club, and here we were right royally welcomed by the genial Stan Smith. The fact that the visitors had a choir had apparently been wirelessed through as it was called upon to display Its powers and willingly complied with the request. The green was the keenest so far experienced and played well, and our defeat cannot be put down to any defect in the playing arena but was entirely due to the superiority of the Fitzroyites on the day. Two rinks scored wins, but the other three suffered decisive defeat. Details are as follows of the New Plymouth and Fitzroy games:—I NEW PLYMOUTH. ■ ■"■ Carter, Veale, Hill, Rundle (s) 27; v. Uptoa, Williams Bell, Simpson (s) 14. | Chancy, Brookman, Wood, A. Smart (a) 30, v. Moynihan, Willis, B. Christie/H. Christie (s) 14. Green, Jackson., Phillips, H. Smart (s) 25, v. Haase, Hunger, Broadhead ;J. D. Armstrong (s) 10. Hooper, Ingram, Lee, Johnson (s) 24, v. Stewart, Joslin, D. Armstrong, Hewetson (s) 14. Binnie, Cock, Luscombe, Barry (s) J 33, v. Hay wood, McCarthy, Brass,] Moffatt (s) 19. Total: New Plymouth 139, St. John 61. FITZROY. Healey, Johnston, Hammond, Allen (s) 31, v. Simpson 19. Buckle, Weller, Lister, Higgs (s) 20, v. J. D. Armstrong 28. Best,, Brooker, McNeill, Rennell (s) 42, v. H. Christie 12. Oxenham, Sole, Northern, Jury (s) 27, v. D. Armstrong (s) 14. West, Gillespie, Jackson, Smith (s) 18, v. Moffatt 29. Total: Fitzroy 138, St. John's 102. A pleasant time was spent in the evening in the Criterion Hotel with mußic, song and story. The weather was fine, on Sunday, although a bleak wind was blowing, but this did not prevent most of the party wandering about viewing the many beauty spots of the Garden City.

The St. John's bowlers and party left New Pivmouith by the express on Monday morning, then- destination being Hawera. On arrival at the station, motor «ars were waiting td convey the party to the green, where refreshments wero provided. The green was in good order, buit a nor'-wester made the bowls cut many peculiar antics at times, and promising shots finished many feet from their intended destination. I The game in the morning was a close one, victory.going St. John's way by tho narrow majority of four. The Hawea-a players had their revenge in the afternoon. . Mr Parkinson, president or the H#wera club, in a. brief speech extended a cordial welcome to the St. John's players. He expressed regret that his clut> had been unable to visit Wanganui during the past year or so, but he hoped the Hawera Chib would be able to send four or five rinks early next season. Mr.' Christie responded on behalf of the at. John's players, and the choir rendered' two of their bowling songs. Hearty cheers wero exchanged, the farewells were made, and the .evenmg train was caught. The tourists returned home about 9 o'clock last evening, after a most enjoyable four'days' outing. Following are details of the play (Ha- i wera players being mentioned first) :— Morning Bake, Pratt, Syme, Hollard (sk) IS v. Williams. Hay wood, Brass. Moffatt1 Payne, Allen, "Keen. Curtis (sk) 27 v. Haase Willis. Broadhead, J. D. Armstrong (sk) 18. Foden, Black. Robb. Grant (sk) 2o v. McCarthy, Lewis, E. Christie, H. Christie (sk) 10. . Graham, McNiven, Henson, W. Robertson (sk) la v. Stewart, Joslin, Armstrong, Hewetson (sk) 23. i Campbell. Hicks ,Spenee, R. Tait (sk) | 7 v Hunger, Upton, Bell Simpson (sk) 31* Totals: Hawera 95, St. John's 99. Afternoon Game. |

T. Tait, Svme, W. Robertson, Hodge (sk) 31 v. Simpson (sk) 13* Ingram, Grant, Robb, CofkhiU (sk) 26 v J. D. Armstrong (sk) 16. Adamson, Spente, R. T.ai% Curtis (ski 20 v. D. Armstrong (sk) 25. Black, McNiven, Henson, Hollard (sK) 31 v. Christie (sk) IS. Graham, Keen, A. Robertson, Parkinson (sk) 33 v. Moffatt (sk) 11. Totals • Hawera 141; St. John's S3.

In the train, coming home, Mr Christie look the opportunity, on behalf of the tripparu, of presenting Mr G. R. Simpson with a case of pipes, in recognition of his services in managing the tour. Mr Simpson, in responding, moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Christie for the able manner in which lie had carried ou tthe social part of the programme.