BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2583, 4 October 1915, Page 7

BOWLS

OPENING OF THE SEASON

W.ELLINGTON CLUB. Ideal weather prevailed for the opening of the bowling season, on Saturday afternoon. The day was bright and sunny, thp atmosphere not too warm or too colu, end just the gentlest breeze fanned the flannelled sports as tliey got "the feel of the green." There was a large and representative gathering at tho Wellington Club's green to honour the opening, including a. large number of ladies, who found the • pleasant surroundings, .. the tinkle of the teacups; and the strains of a.very presentable little string band harmoniously in' accord with tile' spring feeling • that infected everyone. Sit. Ledger, "the president- of tho club, extended a. hearty greeting and a welcome to all visitors and his-fellow bowlers, of the Wellington Club. Ho said it was the thirtieth year, of tho club's existence, the club Shaving, begun in a S'liall way in 1886. It had made steady progress, and was now the leading club in tho Dominion as far as membership was concerned, as well as in most other respects. There were not many of the original members left, but he was pleased to see that they had several of-the veterans at, the opening. He mentioned that a call would ,be made on them for contributions to the fund ■ for the 'wounded soldiers of New Zealand. It, was a time .when they, all had had to dip deeply into their purses and banking accounts to provide relief for the gallant fellows who were fighting for them, and there was still a good deal more to be done, and he expressed the hope that the members'of the club would respond in a liberal manner. At the last opening a collection of pot plants presented. by Miss Muir, of Majoribanks Street, had been sold at auction in aid of the Belgians. The same young lady had presented the club with another line lot, which would be sold by auction for. tho Patriotic Fund. Mr. Ledger then called ou Miss Berry to throw the first jack and bowl, and formally declared the greens open for tho season, amidst applause. .

', Later on the pot plants—a, very beautiful assortment,-all -,n full'flower—were sold by Mr. A. L. Wilson, and realised the sum of ;525.

i Prior to the opening ceremony tho Wellington green was visited by Mr. W. Wainwright, president of tho Babuain Bowling Club, Sydney, and Mr. W. Isles, also a member of that club. Mr. Wainwright, who could not stay for the after--noon, as he'was leaving for Hobart, said that he was very pleased to bo present and sorry that he would not be able to have a roll up on. tho club's beautiful sward, which ' looked exceptionally nice. Mi'. Wainwright conveyed- greetings from Mr. John: Spence, president, of the' New South Wales Bowling Association. Mr. Wainwright was given a hearty send-off, and regret was expressed that ho could not stay and enjoy a game. Most of the other clubs in tho City were represented on the green in the friendly games played. In striking contrast to tho flannel suits of the majority of tho bowlers' were tho lihaki uniforms of a team of officer from the camp at Trentham—a,, grim touch reminding all of the extraordinary times we live -in.

Afternoon, tea on an elaborate and en. ticing scale was provided for all in .the club's social hall. VICTORIA CLUB. A large number of visiting bowlers and lady friends we present at the opening of the Victoria Club. Tlio president (Mr. J. F. Keith) welcomed the visitors, and referred particularly to tlio pleasure it pave every meinl>er to seo present Mr. I). T. Stuart, the club's first president, and also the lady friends of members, whoso attentions in the tea-room woro always highly appreciated. The green had received careful attention sinco last season, and great credit in that regard was due to the ground coramittco and the caretaker (Mr. Holmes). 1 A feature of tho opening was the salo by auction of a set of Jacques bowls in a leather case, presented by tho president, which were filially purchased by Mr. T. Pringle (whose bids totalled ~£l2 15s;). An afternoon tea-cloth and set of d'oyloys, jn-esented by Mrs. Swanson (a Florence Nightingale nurse), also realised a consiiSirabie sum, Mrs. Norwood being the purchaser. As the result of tho sale (which was conducted by Mr. J?. Townsend) tho No. 2 Hospital Ship l p und will benefit to tho extent of ,£GI) 13s. fid. The afternoon's ploy was greatly en-, joyed. KHANDALLAH CLUB. The Khdndallali Club's green was tho central' scene of social activity in that picturesque sifturb on Saturday afternoon. 'lo honour tho opening there was a very large number of visitors present, including representatives of the Kclburn, Uutt, Lyall Bay, and Hataitai Clubs. In addressing tho gathering, Mr. G. Living (president) extended a very hearty welcome to everyone, referred to the very satisfactory state of tho green, whiclu promised excellent play, and paid a compliment to the good work done by past officers of tho club, notably tho late secretary, Mr. 3. Grant. Mr. It. A. Wright, M.P., for tho suburbs, complimented tho club on its fine property, and tho admirable prospects for a good season. It doTolvcd on him to formally declare the green open for tho season, Mrs. Living throwing the first jack. Refreshments wore provided by tlio president. NEWTOWN CLUB. The official opening of the Newtown nubs W'(U held ct)l), ..ditiojy, ilr, fi, kukeu lb jtpiMejjt,,

addressing an assemblage of about J)0 members, spoke feelingly of the loss the clul) had sustained by the death of Mr. •James Trevor, the president of last seaeon. , ~ . Mr. George Prince, the clubs vice-pre-sident, spoke of the excellence of the green's appearance, and made special reference to the war and the great defenders of the Empire's destinies. At the call' of the president, three hearty cheers wero given for the boys at the front, and then Mrs. C. M. Luke throw the first jack, while Mrs. W. Sinclair, a daughter of the vice-president, hoisted tho club's flag. The prfesident declared the season open, the National Anthem was sung, anil play in the game President v. Vice-President commenced.

Afternoon tea was dispensed in the club's social room by. tho ladies, headed by Mesdames Scott and Hanson. _ Tho inside of the pavilion-was very nicely and appropriately decorated by Mr. Caterer and family. During the afternoon the sum of £7 was raised for tho Hospital Ship by tho salo of buttonholes and contributions hrown into a Union Jack.

Tho. game resulted in a win .for the Vice-president's rinks by 120 points to 119.

President: J. Roberts, M'Cumiskey, Spiers,, Barnes (s.), 15; Vice-President: Remington, W. Read, Astill, Richards (s.), 12. Presidents Drew, Flyger, M'Leao, Blake (s.), 17; Vice-President: Levestam, S, E. Luke, Dryden, A. J. Pollock (s.), 14. President: S. Roberts, Laws, J. Pollock, Varcoo (e.'), 10; Vice-President: Ohittey, Russell, Warwick, Prince (s.), 22. VicePresident: Ecvell, Parkinson, J. Martin, Naismith. (ej, 16; President :..Blenkinsop, C. Martin, Laughton, Dinnie (s.)i 12. President: Alpe, Meyrick, J. Sefton, J. Brackenridgo (s.), • 18; Vice-President: Fieldhouse, Grenside, Armstrong, Duff (s.), 13. President: Moitbray, Thompson, Davies, Bennett (sj, 13; Vice-President: Barker, W. Roberts, Davis, Powell (sj, 20. President: J. Roberts, Luke, North, Wylio (s.), 22; Vice-President: Robbins, Brown, Caterer, Siviney (s.), 11; President: Oakes, Evans, Bedell, Phillips (s.), 12; Vice-President: Smith, Gyles,' Crosby, Castle (s.), 12. Totals: President, 119; Vice-President, 120. / PETONE CLUB. At the Petono green there was a largo attendance, including' many ladies. The" president (Mr. J. Castle) congratulated the committee responsible on the perfect condition of the green. Mrs. Castle threw the jack and the season was declared open. Afternoon tea was provided by the president. Tho result of a game between the president's and vice-president's rinks was:— > President's—E. Cooper, Croft, Henry, Stephens (s.) 21; Vice-President's—Mudge, Hancock, Jones, E. Beynon (s.). 19. Pre-. sident's'-r-Haggar, Matthews, Elvincs, T. M'Avthur (s.), 14; Vice-President's—Nor-l-is, Smith, Jay, Trevethick (s.), 20. President's—Lewthivaite, Gray, Robertson, Wylie (5.),.8; Vice-President's—Andrews, Colquitt, Bargh, Coles (s.), 28. . l'resi-dent's-rR-. H. AVilson, Roach, Gilmour, Firth (s.), 23; Vice-Presidenfs—Coinmetti, Carter, Battersby, Wearne (s.), 11. President's—Ward, Palmer, Cates, Dr. Ross (s.) 1G; Vice-President's—Arcus, Mockeridge, Wilmshunst, Hay (s.) 25. President's —Curtis, Hill, M'Ewen, Po'wler (s.) ; 20; Vice-Presidenfs—Dixon, May, P. lif'Artlmr, Melhuish (s.), 23. President's—Doneghue, Jones, Marsden, Castlo (s.), 19; Vice-President's—Allen H., Juddj Cowie, Rennie (s.), 25. Total—Vice-President's, 151; President's, 121.. ..OTHER OPENINGS. The Thorndon Club's green will be opened for play on Saturday, .next, but the formal opening of the green will not take placo until Saturday week. The Hataitai Club wili open its green on Saturday next.