BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 11, 8 October 1917, Page 7

BOWLS

OPENING OF THE SEASON

In wild, blustery weather the bowling season of 1917-18 was opened on Saturday afternoon. At the Wellington Club—'jhs mother club of Wellington—tho greens were formally declared open by Ihe pre. sident (Air. A. Erskino), who said that the iates had been unkind to them as regards the weatlier, but still they lad to be thankful it was not raining. He said it was tho thirty-second year of tho club's existence, and he was pleased to say that they still had among them several of the old members who had helped to found the club, and to them he said, as the. Scotch say, "Lang may , their lunis reek." (Applause.) On the other hand there were several who had passed away. Thej; sincerely mourned their loss, and their figures would be missed from tho green. Other members had .suffered from sickness, and the sympathy of the club was extended to them who were still tick, and they heartily congratulated- others on their recovery. This was the fourth occasion that (Jio green had been opened sinco the moat frightful war known to history broke upon an almost unsuspecting -world, and it would ill become them to forget the grim march of events. in which they were all bo vitally, interested. The membership of bowling clubs had not boen seriously impaired by the war, as must of the players were above military age or were mombers of the Second Division. Although that ivas so, the members of their families had almost without exception taken active part in the war. Many members had lost their r.ons at the front, and the sympathy of the whole club was theirs. ' He hoped that long before there w ; as a new president tho awful war would be over and that all thoso who had sons and relatives at the front would have them home once more safo and soufld. (Applause.) The past season had been one of especial interest, as the Dominion tournament had bc-on held in Wellington for the first time. .The club had had the good fortune to produce the winner of the Champion .Singles on that occasion. For the first time sinco the champion of champion contests had been inaugurated the club had succeeded in winning the championship rinks. During the year the directors had been looking forward to tho future -of the club, and had added to its promises by the acquisition of a piece of land on tho corner. It was for them now to consider the best means of incorporating it with the grounds of the club. On behalf ot the members of the club he desired to thank the ladies for having attended in such large numbers in spite of the'unpropitious weather, and extonded a hearty- welcome to all visitors, hoping that they would enjoy a good game. Ho believed that this year they would have greens second to noiis in the Dominion, and gave credit for that to the green superintendent (Mr. W. J. Thompson) and the caretaker, who had done such credit to the club. (Applause.) He then called on Miss Brown to throw the first, jack, a task she accomplished with unerring eye amidst the applause of the assemblage. Apologies for non-attendance were received from the Prims Minister and tho Hon; W. D. S. Mac Donald. Tho Mayor (Mr. J. P'. Luke) and .Mrs. Luke visited the green during the afternoon. The offices of a string band and a gracefullyserved afternoon tea wero pleasant adjuncts to quite a successful function. The following are • the results of. tho game 9 played:— Smith, Bennett, Waddel, Dimock (s.), 27; Helliwell, Simpson, Tumblyn, Geddis(s.), 17. Crease, Compton, Leighton, Jackman (s.), 14; Knox, . Blundell, Grenfeil, Campbell (s.), 14. — , , Moult (s.), S; ' , —, —, Field (s.), 26. ■ Brown, Kichards. Eamsay, Sutclilfe (s,), 19; Harden, Ince, Price, Ballinger (s.), 18; Blackburn, Petersen, Marshall, Jame9 (s.), 17; Norton, Wilson, Osborn, Pettigrew (s.), 12. Hume, Allen, Glendinning,. Still (s.), 13; A. Bennett, Redmond, Liddle, Barraud- (s.), 23. • Carr, Kennedy, Allen, O Sullivan, Potter (e.), 18; Smith, James, Tnnes, Pole (e.). 21. Campbell, Hunter, Tingey, Dryden (s.), 22; Boyce, Gibbes, Tasker, Bary (s.), < 11. Muir, Roberts, B. Allen, Churchward i (s.), 20; De Castro, Saunders, J. J. 1 Eoberts, Hill.(s.), 19. ' Johnson, Sidey,-Corliss, Fowler (s.), , 20; Farrant, Keesiiig, Cray, G. Brown ■ (s.), 22. 1

' VICTORIA CLUB. There was a fine attendance of members and friends (of lx>th sexes) at the opening of tho Victoria Club oil Saturday altemoon. The president (Mr. ~\Y. B. Jackson) in declaring tho green open extended a hearty welcome to everyone. Sincere regret was expressed at the death of Mr. George Tattle, one of the old and | valued-members of the club, who had always been lield in the highest esteem for his many good qualities. Mr. Jackson also expressed sympathy with those members of the club who had experienced trouble on account of the war, and ho called for three cheers for the brave Itvds who were still so gallantly upholding the honour of old England at the front. The ladies were thanked for decorating the tea-room and arranging tho tea. The president expressed the hope that. th 6 season would be a successful and happy one,' and called upon Mrs. Jackson to throw, the first jack. Teams weio then arranged representing the President and ex-President, (Mr. M. Marks), the match being won,' on the aggregate, by the President's representatives by ore point.

HATAITAI CLUB. Mr. E. E. Stonebanks, president, 9thciated at the opening of the Hataitai green 011 Saturday afternoon. He welcomed the visitors and thanked the green-keeper for the excellent manner in which he had nursed the champion green during the winter. He mentioned the large number of young men who had gone to.the war from the district, and extended sympathy to all those who had been bereaved or had suffered in any way by the war. They were commencing the season with an enhanced membership, and everything pointed to a highly successful season.

, NEWTOWN CLUB. At the opening of the Newtown Bowling Club, which took place on Saturday afternoon, there was a large attendance of members, their wives, -* 1 nd lady friends. Visiting members were also present from Hastings, Linwood (Christchurch), and Petoue. The president (Mr.- George Scott) extended a hearty welcome to nil, and expressed regret at the boisterous weather prevailing. Mention was made of number of improvements which had been carried out during the recess, notably the acquisition of a strip of land on the eastern side of the property and tho installation of a new billiard-table. Reference was also made to tho terrible war in which ws were taking part, and to the probability of clubs being affected when the Second Division men are called up. The vicepresident (Mr. G. Noble) also addressed the assembly, reminding members that Saturday, December 1, would bo cot aside as a patriotic day, the proceeds to Eo to the Mayoress' I'iind. After Miss Scott (in the absence of Mrs. Scott through illness) had thrown the first jack and Mrs. Noble had hoisted, tho flag, tho president declared the grpen open for play. In the competition President v. Vice-President the -former team won by two points in the aggregato:

Tho following Newtown teams have been selected for Saturday next:— Friendly v.'Seatoun: At home—Warwick, Roberts, Crosby, Lurne.v (s.). Away— Robbins, Martin, Drew, Priddle (s.).