BOWLING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XXI, 13 November 1897, Page 654

BOWLING.

OPENING OF MR J. KIKKEK’K PRIVATE GREEN, PONSONBY. On Saturday last Mr J. Kirker (who had courteously postponed the opening of his private green until the district clubs had opened for the season) had a reunion of his bowling friends with their wives and daughters. The invitations were made as representative of the various clubs as possible, among those present being Mr Win. Aitken, a veteran bowler of the Auckland (Grafton) Bowling Club in its earliest days, and one of its founders. There were about one hundred ladies and gentlemen present. Afternoon tea was dispensed, and a very enjoyable and pleasant afternoon was spent. The green was in the best of condition and elicited the admiration of the bowlers. Mr Kirker has adopted the style of the Glasgow clubs in having the ‘ditches' covered with open wooden gratings, which keep the bowls clean and enable the bowler, if the grass is damp, to stand while waiting his turn on a dry footing. Forty men were engaged in the matches, playing ten men a-rink. The following were the results: — No. I Rink.—A. Brookes. Carrick. Rhodes, Hooper. Gorrie (skip). 18 v. Meyers, Court. Peacock. Dingwall. Winks (skip). 14. No. 2 Rink.—Foster, Patterson. Upton. J. Court. Lambert (skip). 13 v. Furby. Blomfield. Beatty. Holden. Kingswell (skip), 33. No. 3 Rink. —Ross. Edmiston. Coleman. Haslett. H. W. Brookes (skip). 22 v. Ching. Woolast, Heton. Hardie, Stewart (skip), 11. No. 4 Rink.—Hudson, Steele, Mackechnie, Russell. Thomson (skip). 14 v. Hoskng, Campbell, Lawson, Hart. F. Court (skip), 21. ORDINARY CLUB MATCHES. AUCKLAND (GRAFTON) CLUB. Games were played on the Auckland Bowling Club's Green Saturday afternoon. The president, vice-presi-dent. and a considerable number of members were absent, having been invited to the opening of Mr Kirker’s private green in Ponsonby. NEWMARKET CLUB. Very enjoyable games were played on Saturday afternoon the green being in splendid order. MOUNT EDEN CLUB. A pleasant afternoon was spent at the Mount Eden Bowling C lub Green, five rinks being o« t.pied. PONSONBY CLUB Five rinks were in full swing, some close finishes and good play being displayed. REMUERA CLUB. The attendance was small owing to other attractions, a number of the members being present at Mr Kirker's green. DEVONPORT. Despite the boisterous weather prevailing on Saturday several interesting and enjoyable games were played on the above club's green, which was in splendid condition. At a meeting of the club twenty-one new members were elected. ami it is expected that some very strong rinks will be played during the season. 'rhe description of the opening of the Nelson Bowling Season was conveyed. by mistake, to the North Shore, ami did not reach this paper until too late for insertion last week. The green was opened last. Wednesday afternoon, but. alas, under rather unfavourable circumstances as regards the weather. A heavy northerly gale was blowing, which rendered play difficult. and those looking on found it rather cold at first : but when the delicious hot tea. with a variety of cakes were served by Mrs and Miss Baigent the guests somehow forgot to feel cold, but once more felt good tempered and ready to thoroughly enjoy the afternoon’s amusement. Mr H. Baigent. the president of the dub, formally declared the season o|»en. and a match was then played by teams selected by the president and the vice-president, the former winning by two points.