BOWLING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 712, 29 October 1903, Page 14

BOWLING.

THE DEVONPORT BOWLING CLUB.

Under very pleasant weather conditions the Devonport Bowling Club opened the Mason on Saturday afternoon. The green is at. all times a; pldasent one to visit, for the location is almost an ideal one, and as the Devonport Club members fire noted for their hospitality, it was not a surprising fact to find a very large number of players from all • the sister clubs present. There were also a large number of spectators, the ground looking very gay indeed. The pavilion was very prettily decorated with flowers and bunting", and during the afternoon a committee of ladies dispensed afternoon tea to the players and visitors. Mr R. Mitchell, the President, welcomed those who had crossed the -water to join with the local players in a friendly contest. He congratulated the club on the recent improvements, and he especially referred to the new croquet lawn .which had been prepared for the ladies, and which would be opened, he hoped, early in the next year. Mr Mitchell then formally bowled the “ jack ” on to the green. , Eight fulLrink matches were played the Vice-President’s team winning by 159 to 156. The green was in faultless order, and reflected very great credit on the THE ONEHUNGA BOWLING CLUB.

Very elaborate preparations were made on Saturday for the opening of the Onehunga ■■ Green, the decorations being exceedingly effective. Every club in Auckland was represented, and a very pleasant afternoon was spent by all. President M. H. Wynyard heartily welcomed the visitors, . and then Mrs Wynyard rolled up the jack and declared the green open.; Bight full rink matches were played, the President’s side proving victorious by 169 to 148. The green was in excellent order, reflecting, much credit on the caretaker. A new tea kiosk is a , noticable addition since last season. Quite a large number of new members have joined, and a successful season seems assured.

Newmarket and Remuera will hold their opening functions on Saturday next, Auckland coming last on the list on November 7.

Bowling was in full swing at_ Mount Eden, Ponsonby and Rocky Nook on Saturday.

The great Bowling Association Tournament, which will be held this year in Auckland, is already arousing a great deal of interest among bowlers. The City of the North possesses a good name for' hospitality, and if half what one hears be true, it is pretty evident that visiting teams from the South will drop in for 'a right royaltime. The affair proin for a right royal time. The affair promises to be the biggest thing of the kind vet held in the colony. - ♦ • ♦ •

Somewhat inadvisedlythe Auclland Bowling Club decided to postpone the opening of the greens for a fortnight. This decision was come to early in the week, but it would have beenj better to have waited till later, for an unnecessary postponement is always a mistake. As a matter of fact the weather turned out very pleasant and the ground was) in excellent order, and a good deal of disappointment was caused.

I wonder if any Auckland players will be present at the World’s Fair, St. Louis, next year. A mammoth I owling tournament is to be held there.

The table prepared by Messrs Alcock and Company for the purpose of testing the bowls used in ’competition under the control of the Northern Bowling Association will be of unusual size—two slates larger than a billiard-table; hence the impossibility of sending the plant away Irom Wellington to enable the bowls at the Auckland tournament to be tested on the spot. It is probable that the table will be ready for use at the end of the month.