WELLINGTON BOWLING CLUB.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue VIII, 22 February 1896, Page 197

WELLINGTON BOWLING CLUB.

IN the latter part of 1886 a meeting was held in the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, at which it was resolved to establish the Wellington Bowling Club, and the following gentlemen were appointed a Committee to carry the resolution into effect, viz., Dr. McGregor, Captain Hume,and Messrs T. K. Macdonald, Barton, T. W. Gale, John Duthie, and Wm. Maskell. Their canvass was so successful that a general meeting of the members was held on the nth of December. The Chairman, Mr G. S. Cooper, was able to state that sixtyfive gentlemen had already joined the Club, and that the lease of an acre of ground had been purchased upon which to form the bowling green. Mr W. Maskell was elected secretary, and Captain Hume treasurer. On the 18th December Mr G. S. Cooper was elected president, and Mr John Duthie, vice-president, and Mr Kohn stated that he would present a silver cup for competition at the first regular match played by the Club. The work of forming the green was soon commenced, and in this the Club had the full benefit of the experience of the late Mr W. N. Blair, who drew up plans and specifications, and was unremitting in his efforts to ensure that the green should be well made. The work proved an expensive undertaking, there being much levelling required, but the committee were not to be deterred, and to ensure the requisite funds they became jointly and severally responsible for the cost. Their efforts were crowned with success, and on the 19th November, 1887, His Excellency Sir W. Jervois, in the presence of a large assemblage, amongst whom were many of the Legislation

and of the elite of Wellington, formally opened the green and bowling season, and stepping on to the well-levelled lawn, threw the first jack and played the first bowl. From that time until now the Club has continued to gain in popularity and in membership, for notwithstanding that there are now two other Bowling Clubs, both offshoots of the parent stem, the original institution has 155 members now on the roll. In 1888 it was found that the bowling accommodation was insufficient, and another, but smaller green, was at once prepared. In February, 1890, a special meeting of the Club decided to acquire the freehold of the ground and to incorporate the Club as a Limited Liability Company under the Companies Act of 1882, and both in their negotiations of purchase and the drawing up of the Articles of Association the Club was much indebted to Mr T. J. W. Gale, whose well-known business energy was conspicuous in the Club’sinterest. The next important step in the history of the Club was the proposed erection of a pavilion. Mr John Ross (of Messrs Sargood, Son and Ewen) initiated the matter by quietly walking round the green one Saturday afternoon, and in about half-an-hour had a subscription list of /'6O, which was subsequently added to by debentures, also taken up by members for the balance of the estimated cost, and on October 2nd, 1893, His Worship the Mayor of Wellington (Mr H. D. Bell), in opening the bowling season, was at the same time able to congratulate the members upon possessing a handsome and commodious club room and pavilion, which had been erected during the recess at a cost of about /’4OO. The building was designed by Mr T. Turnbull, who gave his

services gratuitously, and Mr J. Russell was the contractor (both being members of the Club), while, as showing the interest members take in this institution as well as their liberality, nearly all the furniture was provided free of cost. The success of the pavilion scheme was greatly aided by Mr Andrew Campbell, whose keen interest in all matters connected with bowling has often proved of service to the Club. The membership, which has been already stated, has necessitated further bowling accommodation being provided, and the smaller green is now being extended to the same dimensions as the original one, viz., no x no. This is being carried out under the direction of the Green Committee, of whom Mr T. Scoullar is the moving spirit, and whose solicitude for the welfare of the Club is most praiseworthy, and when finished will enable the Wellington Club to play 14 rinks, which means that 112 bowlers can be accommodated at the same time. The first inter-club match was played v. Wanganui on the Wellington green in 1887, and resulted in a win for the visitors by 34 points, but matters have changed since then, and the members can now hold their own with the best of the North Island Bowling Clubs. A very successful tournament was held in Wellington at Easter. 1893, when all the Clubs of the North Island were represented. It was at this gathering that the Northern Bowling Association was really initiated. A second tournament was held at Easter, 1895, which was nearly a disastrous failure owing to the continuous wet weather, but the members of the Wellington Bowling Club are not wanting in resource, and, on the suggestion of Mr Thomas Ballinger, the use of

the Drill-shed was secured, and was improvised as a bowling green by covering the floor with roofing felt. This was only decided upon at noon of Easter Monday, and the celerity shown is evidenced by the fact that at 3 p.m. bowling was in full swing, Palmerston v. Canterbury, and Nelson v. Napier renewing the Tournament with much jubilation. Play was continued by gas light. Bowling under such conditions was not only novel, but exceptionally difficult, the irregularities of the floor causing surprising movements on the part of the bowls, and provoking immense fun, and those who played on the ' Boomerang Rink ’ had, indeed, exciting experiences. For three days it blew from the south-east with sheets of rain, but the bowlers were comfortably housed, and the Tournament was a success.

Financially the Wellington Bowling Club is sound. Its property has largely increased in value since the Club acquired the freehold, and that expenditure is within income may be gathered from the fact that during last year its liabilities were reduced by /"100 out of its receipts. The pavilion is two-storied. The upper floor is used as a club-room, the lower one for lockers, etc. Gas is laid on throughout. There is a special room for ladies on the upper floor, and every attention has been paid to the convenience of bowlers, especially during tournaments. The greens are open daily, and light refreshments are dispensed, while ladies who care to visit the green are accorded a courteous reception, and tea is always provided for them. The silver cup presented by Mr Kohn in ’B7 was dulycompeted for, and was finally won by that veteran bow’er, Mr Arthur Scoullar ; but amongst the most coveted prizes of the Club is the Silver Cup presented by Messis Sargood through Mr John Ross in December 1887. This cup has to be won twice in succession or on three occasions. It has already been won once by Mr Andrew Campbell, and there seems imnrnent risk that he will succeed the third time. Mr C. D. Barraud, the well-known artist, has presented some of his valuable handiwork for competition on several occasions, and gold medals have been presented by Messrs John Blundell and Ed. Pitherick. Mr A. Lawson presented a handsome chess table, and Mr F. T. Grady has given a gold watch pendant and some handsome prizes. The interest taken in bowling in Wellington has been happily stimulated by the institution of the Wellington Bowling Badges, now familiarly known as the * Edwin feathers.’ These are four brooches, one for each man of a rink. Each brooch has three feathers in it, and the keenness with which the city clubs compete for these badges is something remarkable. Pennant matches were commenced during the present season. The competition takes place amongst the City Clubs, and is for a handsome silk pennant, presented by Mr and Mrs T. Ballinger, and in which the colours of the Club are arranged in the order of their establishment. The Club making the most wins flies the pennant during the following season. The following gentlemen have been presidents of the Club: —Messrs G. S. Cooper, Arthur Scoullar, C. D. Barraud, T. W. J. Gale, W. Grey, John Blundell, and F. T. Grady. Office bearers for the present season are :—Mr F. T. Grady, President; Jas. McLellan, Vice-president; Captain Edwin, Hon. Sec. ; Mr Thos. Ballinger, Hon. Treasurer; and Messrs J. Blundell, Wm. Muir, T. Scoullar, T. W. J. Gale, and Wm. Grey.