BOWLING CLUB

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 October 1946, Page 2

BOWLING CLUB

OFFICIAL OPENING ATTENDED BY LARGE GATHERING

In the presence of one of the largest gatherings on record, the president of the Marton Bowling Club Mr. O.

Brabyn officially deciareci tne 1546-47 bowling season in Marton open on Saturday afternoon. The afternoon was mild and overcast, and members of the club enjoyed a short game of 1G “heads” as it was decided inadvisable to overtax the green after the recCht heavy rain.

Mr. Brabyn, extended a welc/me to the ladies, and to old and several new members of the club. Mr. G. A. Ferens and Mr. T. Low, life members oi the club wore also present, in declaring the season open, Mr. Brabyn called upon Mrs. Brabyn to throw the first “kitty” and Mr. Ferens to bowl the first bowl, and amidst appreciative applause, the club's popular life-mem-ber, registered a perfect bowl—“a toucher.’

The gardens and the playing green have seldom looked so beautiful, showing evidence of the painstaking efforts of the green-keeper, Mr. C. T. Rubery, With the cherry trees about to burst into bloom and the flower beds a galaxy of colour, the bowling green presents the beauty spot oi Marton.

The afternoon tea tables were tastefully decorated by Mrs. S. C. Marr with Iceland poppies and under supervision of Mrs. Brabyn, a dainty afternoon tea was served. Visitors’ Day will be observed by the club next Saturday, and members wishing to travel are requested to advise the secretary, as soon as possible. The teams to travel and transport arrangements will appear in Friday’s “Chronicle.” MARTON HARRIER SECOND IN MARATHON RACE.

This year’s winner of the Marton Harrier championship, Gordon Bromley, did not start in tne Bulls-Marton road race on Saturday. He tried his luck in bigger stakes—the 20-mile marathon race in Wellington. Not only did he try. but was successful to a certain extent, in that he filled second place to L. Fox (Canterbury) the winner, who is the New Zealand marathon champion. This race is considered the most gruelling on the cross-country calendar and was last held in 1939. It commenced from the Trentham racecourse and runners followed the foothills to the Wallaceville Laboratory, crossing the railway line, and returning by road to Trentham, a distance oi roughtly live miles, which was covered tour times. Thirty-two men started.

Leaving the course with one lap completed, Cook (Hutt) led Fox and Bartlett by 50 yards; then came Bromley (Marton), Dickie, Watson and Hiscock. The leaders after eight miles were Fox and Dickie with Bromley, who had dropped Bartlett and Cook, third. The half-way mark found the field spreadeagled. Dickie and Fox were still together in front, Bromley and Bartlett losing ground. In the third lap, Fox took the lead from Dickie. Dickie withdrew near the end of the lap giving the Canterbury man an unassailable margin over Bromley with Bartlett next. The times were: Fox (Canterbury) 2hr. 14min. 27 2-ssee., 1; G. Bromley (Marton), 2hr. 16min. 42secs., 2; T. Eartlett (Scottish) 2hr. 18min. 16sec.,

PURCHASE OF GYMNASIUM TO BE DISCUSSED.

It has long been recognised that a gymnasium has been wanted in Marton. Several sporting bodies, notably wrestling and boxing have been hindered, because no suitaole building was available lor tra.ning purposes. Some time ago, the Marton Rotary Club interested itself in the project and the latest development is that the community service committee of the Tut tary Club, of which Mr. Reg Williams is chairman, has convened a meeting for next Thursday night in the Jockey Club room. All sporting organisations have been invited to attend to consider the question of raising funds to purchase the Druids’ Hall, which it is considered, will make an ideal gymnasium. Once the meeting solved several problems, it is intended to form a small committee to be known as a sport council which will administer the affairs of the hall and allocate evenings to the various interested bodies for training purposes. The convenors are hoping that all sporting clubs in the d.strict will attend this important meeting. PERSONAL. Mr. J. A. Hawkins, a popular member of the Marton Bowling Club is at present a patient in the Wanganui Hospital. Reference to Mr. Hawkins illness was made by the president, Mr. O. Brabyn, at the club’s official opening on Saturday, and a hope was expressed that Mr. Hawkins would soon be able to enjoy a roll-up on the Marton green. REFEREES’ SMOKE CONCERT. The Rangitikei Referees’ Association wounu up their season on Saturday night with a smoke concert in Marton. It was a very cheery affan and a fitting conclusion to a very successful season.

The president of the association, Mr. G Thomson, presided. Also present were Messrs. A. Henwood (president of the Rugby Un.on), K. J. Coombc (secretary ol the union), L. Mcßeth, F. S. Spooner, L. J. Tank (union officials) and Messrs. J. Orgias, N. V. Rix-Trott, A. Hutton, O. Keystone, R. Penn, F. S. Adams, G. Harre, G. A. Carswell, R. Lewis, E. J. Wail and C. N. Cairncross (referees). Apologies were read from Messrs. J. Packer and W. Gleeson.

relationship existing between the Referees' Association and the Rugiw Union, was made by Mr. N. V. RixTrott when propos.ng the toast of the “Rangitikei Rugby Union.” Mr. A,

Hen wood, who besides being president of the union is also president of Wanganui Rugby Un.on, pointed out the valuable work the referees had accomplished during the season and said he was sure that judging by the calibre shown by some of the referees in Rangitikei this season it. would not be long before one or two would make the class to control A grade provincial matches.

“The Referees’ Association" was proposed b> Mr. K. J. Coombc and replied to by Mr. G. Thomson. “St.

John Ambulance,” Mr. J. Orgias—Mr. R. Penn. "Visitors,” Mr. R. Lewis, Mr. G. Prince (Rata). REVENUE FROM RAILWAYS Railways revenue at Marton Junction for the second quarter of the financial year' totals £15,618, or £263 less than the corresponding period last year. The biggest drop in revenue for the period is £470 for goods, but this is partially offset by an increase of £259 in parcels revenue. Two big reductions, compared with the same period last year, are noticeable, one in the number of passengers and the others in the number of sheep carried, the former being reduced by 3234 and the latter by 20,837. Monthly rail figures for the period ending September 14, show a drop in revenue of £453 for the month, compared with the same four-weekly period last year. Although the number of passengers decreased by 617, revenue from that source increased by £1 over the previous September figures. In the following railways returns, those for the same period last year are given in parenthesis:—

September period.—Passengers 2554 (3171), a decrease of 617; cattle 932 (896), an increase of 36; sheep 5304 (7768), a decrease of 2464; timber 35 tons (32 tons), an increase of three tons; and goods 331 tons (537 tons), a decrease of 206 tons. Revenue. —Passengers £867 (£866), an increase of £1; parcels £Bl (£B6), a decrease of £5; goods £691 (£1157), a decrease of £466; and miscellaneous £6O (£l9), an increase of £4l; total £1699 (£2152), a decrease of £453.

Second quarter.—Passengers 16,670 (19,904), a decrease of 3234; cattle 3912 (3340), an increase of 570; sheep 54,738 (75.575), a decrease of 20,837; timber 276 tons (151 tons), an increase of 125 tons; and goods 4807 tons (4920 tons), a decrease of 113 tons.

Revenue, second quarter. Passenger £5351 (£5427), a decrease of £76; parcels £731 (£472), an increase of £259; goods £9263 (£9733), a decrease of £470; and miscellaneous £265 (£147). a decrease of £118; total £15.618 (15,881), a decrease of £263. t'OMING EVENTS.

To-night (Monday): Final showing of that star-studded musical film, “Week-end at the Waldorf.” featuring Waller Pidgeon, Ginger Rogers and Lana Turner. A meeting of residents in Rata Memorial Hal! to receive Hall Committee's report. Annual meeting of Matanui Tennis Club in Marton Jockey Club room.

Tuesday, October 8: Rangitikei Hockey Association's grand ball in Town Hall. Bulls. Bus from Marton. Friday, October 11: Grand dance in Turakina Hall in honour of local returned servicemen. Bus from Marton. Tuesday, October 15: Musicale of 1946 presented by Marton Music and Drama Society in Civic Theatre. Aotea Maori hockey club's wind-up dance in Bulls Town Hall. Bus from Marlon.

Wednesday, October 16: Marton Miniature Rifle Club grand wind-up dance in Victory Hall.