INDOOR BOWLING

Chronicle (Levin), 26 June 1947, Page 4

INDOOR BOWLING

^ CLUB OPENED IN LEVIN • The ever-growing sporting activity in Levin has been still further Ihereased by the formation recently Of an indoor bowling club. Bowling has always been -a popular •Sport, but the fact that it could not be played all the year round has been the -subject Of "regret by enthusiasts oi the game. "With the inauguration .of indoor bowls, the, Weather and decisions - of the green' eommittees are no longer of conse:quence, and that this has been appreciated 'by " many was evident at the ofiicial opehing of the club' last night. * - A pleasing f actor ' of last night's. -opening was the large number of -women bowlers and potential ■bowlers, -and'a fair percentage of •younger men. The game is open to persons of all ages and sex. Three games will -be held weekly in -the Druids' Hall, namely Wednesdays :and Fridays at 7.15 p.m. and -Saturdays at 1.30 p.m. Prior to the- ofiicial opening 'ceremony last night -the president, Mr. W. Ward, welcomed all pres'ent. The club required £100 to "eover the cost of the mats and bowls, he said, and with -this in ;view it was anxious to enrol 50 tfouAdation members, who would be: required to pay a fee of £2, which would cover "their subscriptions for the first four years. Fees for other .'members would be at the rate of 'J5s annually. Playing fees for niembers would be at' 6d a game, •45 minutes being allowed for each •game. The club owed its establishment to Mr. W. Scott, and Mr. Ward said he wished to take that'opportunity of publicly thanking ' him for the hard work he had done in publicising the scheme and enrolling members. He also wished" to tthank the Oddfellows' -Lodge for. the loan of an additional mat and -set of bowls, Mr. C. "Walker for donating scoreboards, Mr. A.-Mudg-Way for storage and Mr. W. 'E. ;Ward for painting the score boards. •Also the committee members for itheir efforts. The first night would be eonfined to rinks ,play and no serious grad- ' ing would be attempted meanwhile. -Coaches and umpires would at all times be available to assist beginners and settle disputes. No indoor bowling club had failed to be a success,, said the Mayor, Mr. TI. R. Burdekin, when officially declaring the club open. It was a pleasure to open a new •sport such as this in Levin, and he wished it all success. He had observed the good fellowship that rexisted in outdoor bowling clubs, and was certain that it would be. continued in the indoor game. He was very pleased to see such a large representation of women, but though it was wise to start off together, it would be better from a competitive point of view for the •women, to form their own club later. Matches between. the two :clubs could then be arranged. Following the opening of the club, Mrs. Ward, wife of the president, threw up the kitty and Mr. "Scott rolled the first ball. During 'the evening supper was provided "by the women members.