BOWLING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 813, 5 October 1905, Page 13

BOWLING.

OPENING OF THE SEASON

Mount Eden Green. The bowling season was ushered in on Saturday last by the Mount Eden Bowling Club. The president and Secretary Rankin, with a few members of the club, were at it early on the green arranging flags, etc., and also making preparations for the reception of the representatives of sister clubs and the host of friends who were invited to take part in the function. The flagstaff and pavilion were gaily decorated with flags, and comfortable seats were placed in convenient positions for the lady visitors. Much comment was made re the excellent state of the rinks, the grass completely covering every inch of the green, and much praise was meted out to Green Superintendent S. G. Burns and Caretaker Williamson on the trueness and keenness of the green at this time of the year. It may not be out of place to mention here that, in course of conversation with the green superintendent in reference to the perfect state of the turf, he informed me that it was nothing more than studying the necessary grasses for the volcanic soil, and in keeping up a supply of cultivated turf for the purpose of repairing the ends of the rinks that become much worn. If this is the secret, then Mount Eden green certainly shows the benefit of such treatment; it looked a picture, and some of the players declared it “ drew” beautifully on “ both hands” and played like a billiard table. About half-past two the president (Mr. O. Nicholson), in a few well-chosen and appropriate remarks, addressed the bowlers and friends, and extended to them the heartiest welcome of the club. He stated that the club was in a flourishing healthy condition, and had a large membership. The wife of the president having bowled the first “ jack” of the day across the green—which was a fairlengthed “head”—the rinks Were declared opened for play with three hearty cheers. The tables of the tea-room, presided over by Airs. Nicholson, assisted by Mesdames Robertson, Brimblecombe, and others, were artistically decorated in the. club’s colours—blue anemones and yellow daffodils—and evergreens forming a pleasing part of the delicate combination. A draw was made, President v. VicePresidents, in which the former won by 238 to 233. Among the visitors who took part in the game was Sir E. O. Gibbes, who is up from Wellington on a visit and the presidents and three members of all sister clubs, including i epresentafives from Thames and Rotorua. While some of the games were yery keenly contested, it happened, as it often does when the teams are taken haphazard from the ballot, that one or Iwo of th” rinks were exceptionally strong, wh'lw their opponents were suffering from the chance of luck. Still, evervone seemed to have a good time, and notwithstanding the fact that the “ refreshnie.it room” of this club was abolished at cue annual meeting, I am thankful to say that a “wee drap” of the “crater” (thanks to someone) was there for those who so desired it. During the afternoon a first-class string band supplied a programme of appropriate music. Mr. Murdoch McLean, president of the Auckland Bowling Association, thanked the Alount Eden Club, on behalf of the visitors, for the pleasant and hospitable afternoon’s enjoyment, and after the usual cheers for the entertaining club and the ladies, the band played • ue National Anthem, thus bringing t.. a close one of the most successful openings ol this suburban club. The president (Mr. Oliver Nicholson) is occupying that position for the .hird year in succession, and it speaks volumes foi the good feeling and fellowship that < x--ists in this club when the members unanimously agree to retain their president for such a lengthy term. The Alount Eden Club was formed in 1896 and formally opened in 1897. Air. Jno. Kneebone was the first president, and the club has been exceedingly fortunate in its appointments to that position ever since, but none has been more popular than the present one, a photo, of whom appears in this issue.

Rocky Nook opens on Saturday next. October 7, Onehunga on October 14, and Carlton on October 28.

Mr. A. M. Myers, our worthy Mayor, s spoken of as the new president of the Auckland Bowling Association. Vice-President Oliver Nicholson was ;o have filled the chair, but unfortunately jusiness prevented him from so doing ibis season. # Sir O. E. Gibbes, of Wellington, jlayed in the president s rink, anci showed that he has not icrgLtten Lew \o ‘ draw a shot.” 8,. R. Ross was in great nick The jyinter’s rest has not taken any of the ting out of his play. He picked-out as sasy as one shelling peas. D. Clerk, his opponent, played a real good game, but R.R.’s smashers were ;oo telling. - ' ■ . < * * * W. Culpan proved too strong for Hegnah’s quartette; the former had that old veteran Walton in the lead. An 'exciting finish was that between M McLean and O. Nicholson’s rinks. The latter , had the strong lead of 20 to 6 bn the 15th head, but in the closing six heads McLean’s team put on 12 points to their opponents’ 2, thus losing a hardfought game by 18 to 22. I don’t know whether ..Coutts has been exercising on the winter green, but his running"shots were very . true on Saturday, and-materially helped Ross- to his win. - * ■ . * . • Mount Eden Bowling Club, establish a record—certainly, as far as. Auckland .is concerned—un opening their grebn in Septbinber month. It was a decided record as far as numbers and hospitality were concerned. ; - ...» » ■ ♦ ' ♦ We wonder what the “ Prohibs.” will say to.the locker business,. It certainly has . a more cheery and hospitable look with /it. ■ ■••■.■■■• ■»* * ■ * J. Bouskill and S. Hanna,, as his third, had a keen and interesting game against Fred. Court’s team. Things are always jolly and happy where Sam is, and he fouiid’ a sociable mate who not only cuts a good, letter on a stone, but can also- “ cut’’ a shot bowl off the jack. Geo. Martin was as keen as mustard, and his shooting as true as a hair. The skip had only to ask George to “ crack the head, up” and it was as good as done. Carlton’s winter green training has improved Maritin’s,'play a great deal. , Secretary Rankin had everything running as smooth as glass, and to his efforts a large amount of the success of the gathering Was due. •' ' ■ What: caused the, explosion in Willy T.’s locker,;‘and Why the serious look on the face of his clubmate whose locker adjoins?’ hangs a tale.” Auckland . Club have eight new members. posted .ofi.~th;d board for election. Carlton also .have a large influx of members: this year. This is one of the most; convenient; greens to reach by the train; service in ithe:city, and you are always sure of a hearty welcome. The; Auckland. executive will have a meeting this . week to decide as to the ■opening date. Some time in November will probably be chosen; as the new green looks splendid and keeps as dry as a bone. *«- • ♦ McMaster’s rink fairly raced away from James’ four. C. Hudson, who was in particularly good form, played a sterling game at third for the skip from Grey Lynn, and added—with Pooler’s leading—greatly towards the win. • X * * J. Buchanan, who played such a consistent game on the end for Ponsonby last season, started the season as fresh as a daisy, in fact, could not go wrong, and beat the Onehunga skip (Mclntosh) by 25 to 11. The popular Harrison, of Devonport. . had a day out, and with the assistance of Martin beat the Carlton president by 32 to 7. Unfortunately for W. Fletcher, he had the worst of the draw, and had no chance from the start. • • • • Some really good play was shown in the rinks skipped by Messrs. Laxon and Brimblecombe. The support received by both skips was good, and it was a toss up as to which skip would lie the shot at the finish of a head. .•• • . • When one gets Geo. Tutt on his card he is sure of a good drawing and . placing man, and George showed no exception, This when playing third to Easton. ■

W. T. Court (Thames) knows the game, and he gave his opponent (W. P. Baker) no chances to catch him napping. His directions and position bowls were well planned. • * * The favourite Carlton winter green was open on Saturday last. There were four rinks going, and some exceptionally fine play was witnessed.

The annual meeting of delegates to the Auckland Bowling Association was held in the rooms of the Auckland Amateur Spotts Club, His Majesty’s Arcade, on Thursday, Mr. Murdoch McLean, president, in the chair. There was a good attendance of delegates. The annual report stated that it was proposed to hold a tournament, as usual, about the season of Easter. The matches would consist of champion fours, pairs, and singles, and it was hoped that many of the country clubs would take part in these contests, as they offered one of the few opportunities of town bowlers meeting their country friends in competition. The Statement of accounts, showed receipts to be £76 13s lid, and expenditure £67 4s lOd, leaving a credit balance of £9 9s Id. The chairman referred to the withdrawal of the Remuera Club from the clubs affiliated to the association, which was to be'regretted ,and he trusted that the club would at an early date see its way to again become associated with the governing body. A, new. scheme had been prepared for the conduct of the pennant competition, which it was hoped would meet the views of all concerned, and brush away the difficulties that had to be contended with in the past. The report and accounts were adopted. The president then outlined the scheme formulated by the Match Committee for future pennant competitions. This provides for two competitions (A and B grades), the present pennant to go to the A gyade, and a new pennant to be purchased for the B grade contest. Club Match Committees will classify their members in A and B grades, and no player having played in the A grade will be allowed to take part in the B grade in the same year. The following is the basis under which the clubs would play : —Clubs of 100 or over to play four A, four B, and one first-year players’ teams; clubs of 80 and under 100, four, three, and one; clubs of 60 and under 80, three, three, and one; clubs of 40 and under 60, three, two, and one; clubs under 40, two, two, and one. The club having the greatest number of wins in either grade will be declared the winners, and each club shall play each club for the pennant. The president moved the adoption of the scheme. Messrs. Laurie (Carlton), W. Gorrie. (Auckland), Haselden . (Rocky Nook), spoke against the suggested innovation, while Mr. Miller (Devonport), Mr. Bouskill, and the secretary (Mr. Os-

mond), favoured the proposal. Messrs. Mahony and Langsford (Ponsonby) drew attention to the fact that delegates had been instructed how to vote, and therefore their hands were tied. It was ultimately agreed that consideration be postponed to enable the scheme to be referred to clubs in order that they might instruct their delegates how to vote. The election of officers resulted as under:—Vicepresident. Mr. R. Mitchell; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. G. B. Osmond , auditor, Mr. G. F. Brimblecombe.