BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2272, 5 October 1914, Page 9

BOWLS

OPENING OF THE SEASON

Those bowling clubs which elected to open the season on Saturday were exceptionally fortunate, as the weather was positively brilliant, and remained so throughout, the afternoon. There was a brilliant gathering at the Wellington Bowling Club's beautiful grounds in Wordsworth Street, when the green was formally declared open, for the season by- the president (.Air. Edwin Moult), who, in extending a hearty wolcomo to all, said that they were assembled to mark the twentyninth anniversary of the club. They were very fortunate indeed in having won Dame Fortune.'.s. sniilo in respect to the weather. It was a nice day, and he hoped they would all enjoy themselves. Whilst they were doing so, however, they must not forget, at such a time/ the stres'3 and strife that was being endured by the old Mother Land, and'as a tribute of respect to '"the King and his bonny men" he would ask them to sing the National Anthem. After the antliem had been lustily sung, Mr. Moult thanked the ladies for their presence, saying that without .them the opening of a bowhjig season would be like a Lord Mayor's banquet without a ■wine list, and the. flowers 'forgotten. The bowlers would sooner play' than hear him talk, so he would wish them a good game, genial company; and a pleasant afternoon. (Applause.) Mr. Moult 'then mentioned that at 4 p.m. some lovely llowers would be sold by auction in aid of the Patriotic Fund (which sale is referred to elsewhere). The opening ceremony terminated by Mrs. Moult tlirowing the jack and Miss lloult the first bowl.

Among those present were the Hon. F. M. '■ B. Fisher and tho Mayor and Mrs. Luke. The greens looked beautiful in their trim perfection, and when the merry jingle of tho afternoon tea-cups mingled with the strains of a very capable little' orchestra on the balcony, whilst down below on the velvet sward the bowlers, gaily attired ill blazers of. many colours, shouted at one another in a language incomprehensible to all cavo the initiated, the scene was; pleasantly diverting. During the afternoon tho musical prograipmo was enhanced by a couple of vocal items, which were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. These ivere a duet (Barcarolle, from "Tho Tales of Hoffmann"), by Mrs. Paton (of the Hutt) and Mr. E. J. Hill, and a solo by the same lady, who is fortunate in the possession of a rich contralto voice of unusual power and quality. The games played were between teams representing the president and vicepresident. They resulted as follows (skips names only being given):— President. Vice-President. Barry 12 Macaskill „... 17 Bush 13 flendroy 26 Magnus 27 Cooper 9 Crane 24 Gooder 23 Still ; 11 Sievwright ... 25 Churchward.. 19 Craig 9 Treadwell 11 A. Laurenson 27 Revington .... 12 E. J. Hill ... 30 Webb IS Corliss 17 Kinvig 24 Pettigrew. .... 19 : Saunders .... 26 Geddes 12 Thompson,.... 19 8.A11en...... 23 It. Roberts ... 18 Neilson 20 Skinner 15 Brown 20 Hodd 6 Veitch 8 •Warner 16 Frost 20 Totals 271 304 THORNDON CLUB. There was a large attendance at tho opening of the Thorndon Club's green, which was a complete success, thanks to the .beautiful weather and the splendid condition of the green. In declaring the green open for the season, the president (Mr. Victor. Dimock) said ho was delighted to see such a largo attendance of members and visitors oil tho twentieth anniversary of the opening of the green. He tendered thanks to the ladies who had been good enough to honour the club with their presence, and especially those ladies who had so generously provided afternoon tea. The club had leased the lower green to the Thorndon Croquet Club, and they felt convinced this would be a great benefit to the club. _ After referring to the assistance received from the Sports Protection League in the matter of rates on the greens, Mr. Dimock said ho thought, members should feel pleased at the appearance of tho greelis, for there can be no question that thoy had never looked so good. He thanked the caretaker, Mr. Watts, for the caro he had taken in connection -with the greens. Some improvements had been made in connection witll the garden portions, of the club's property, and later, on in the season there should .be a good display of flowers in the borders. Ho believed it w r as the intention of the Match Committee to make an early start in connection w-ith the club's matches, and they would endeavour to get them finished much earlier than has been done in the past. It would be a great help to this committee if members were a little keener in getting off their games. There was no reason why these should not.reach the semi-finals by Christmas. Mr. Dimock extended a welcome to those' gentlemen who were nominated for membership and were to be elected that afternoon, and hoped that they would long enjoy the goodfellowship to bo found in the club. In conclusion he asked Miss Dimock to throw up the jack and then declared the green open for play. . ■ ' " Tho games consisted of rinks representing the president _ and vice-presi-dent, the former winning by 184 to 168 points.

NEWTOWN CLUB. , Over two hundred players and visitors greeted the president of the Newtown Club, Mr. J. Trevor, when ho com■menced his speech at the opening of the club's season. In the courso of his remarks he enlarged' on tho necessity of addiug to the capacity of the 6ocial room, a need arising from the great sriccess of tho winter "socials." Mr. Trevor's thanks to the caretaker, Mr. Earle, for the perfect green provided were accentuated, by tho applause of all the bowlers present. Tho president announced that twenty-five guineas had been subscribed by members as a contribution to the War Local Distress Fund, and would be paid in on Monday. He closed by hoping that all present would enjoy tho afternoon thoroughly, ■and that so bright and cheerful an opening would augur well for- tho club during the coming season.*-, Mr. C. M. Luke, the club's vicepresident, then expressed tho thanks of the club to those members who had assisted so valuably in improving tho pavilion and its -surroundings during tho- recess and also to those ladies and- gentlemen who were giving their services during the afternoon. He also expressed tho great regret members felt in having to accept tho resignations of Messrs. Harry Prico, W. R. Bailey, and J. Mayo, who havo been for so long esteemed members of the club. Mrs. Luke then hoisted the club's flag, Mrs. Trevor throw tho first jack, ancl Mr. Trevor declared tho season opened. The National Anthem having been heartily sung, cheers wore given, and play in the opening match, President v. Vice-President, began. Tho President's teams lost by two points. The social room was beautifully decor-, nted by Mr. Caterer, jun., draped flags and coloured ribbon streamers being combined with flowers and greenery with extremely pleasing effect. Outsido the pavilion linos of (lags added to the holiday aspect. The enjoyment of the afternoon was greatly enhanced by tho excellent prograromo of music rendered by, the orchestra under Miv Harold 13,

Oakes. Ttao wives of the directors had charge of tho afternoon tea. The games played vero between 'rinks representing the President and VicePresident. Tho results wore as follow: — President. Vice-President. A. J. Pollock 19 Kinniburgh .. ■' 15 Popple 23 Sexton .' 28 Scott 21 Bland 23 Banson 20 Spiers 10 Hayoroft .„... 17 Armstrong ... 19 Norwood 23 Warwick IS Nasinith ...... 18 Powell 24 . Totals ...... 141 43 ' PETONE CLUB. The official opening of tho Petono Bowling Green took place on Saturday, under favourable conditions and in the presence of a large gathering. Tho president (Mr. A. Cowie) mado a brief speech, declaring tho green open, and called on Mrs. Cowio to throw the jack. A match between teams chosen by the president ahd vice-presidents was played, tho latter winning by 173 to 151. The president entertained visitors at afternoon tea.