BOWLING SEASON OPENS

Chronicle (Levin), 14 October 1946, Page 4

BOWLING SEASON OPENS

LOCAL CLUBS' CEREMONIES Fayoured with beautiful sunny weather' which made the day one without parallel so . f ar this spring, the 'two local bowling clubs, Levin and Central^ held their offipiaj ■opening ceremonies on Saturday afternoon. In gach case the greens and" surroundings were in fine order, a great deal of care and g,ttention having been given them in the winter recess. Members of Ihe clubs attended in full force qp their respective greens, while clubs from various parts pf thp district, including the Levin La4ies' Club, and Palmerston North were represented by rinks. In addition a number of ladies were present. The Levin Club's function took plaee at 1.30 p.m., when the presb dent (Mr. H, G. Mackay) welpqmed all "present. He said the green and surroundings were in excellent condition, and this W-9.S due to the hard work of Messrs. H. Wenham and H. Nipholson, who had spent many hours there during the off season. Mr. Mackay referred tp the loss the clpb had sustained sinee the last season in the passing pf three pf its members, Messrs. W. H. Mason, R.*J. Foss and N. A. Anderson, all of whom had been good players. He saih the plub now had 120 members and could be said to have reached the limit. The Mayor (Mr. H. B. Burdekin) , who officially declared the season open for play, thanked the club for the privilege of being present. He said that ip every sport there were joys and disappointmehts, but in bowls there was something which was not found in other sports. There was a friendship, a sportsmanship and other associations which only a bowler understood. Mrs. Mackay then rolled up the kitty and the Mayor ess (Mrs. Burdekin) played the first bowl, and the season was open for play. Proceedings at the Central Club's green commeneed at 2 p.m., when the president (Mr. G. Sweetman)

extended a welcome to all presenu. He expressed gratification at the large gathering and extended congratulations to the green keeper and gardeners on the order of the green and the attractiveness of its surroundings. The Mayor expressed surprise at the great improvement which had been made in the green and its surroundings. In declaring the green open for play, Mr. Burdekin wished the club a happy and successful season. Mr. J. Paton, president of the Manawatu Centre, also extended good wishes to the club for the coming season and said that the centre would assist the clqb in any way it could. The ceremony concluded with the rolling up of the jack by the Mayoress and the playing of , the first bowl by Mrs. Sweetman. -Throughout the afternoon the greens were fully occupied in friendly games between rinks, while the dispensing of afternoon tea added to the enjoyment of those gathered.