BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 16, 14 October 1918, Page 8

BOWLS

SENIOR CLUBS OPEN THEIR GREENS K. fairer spring-timo day could hardly be conceived than that which favoured the bowlers on Saturday afternoon, when several clubs elected to open their greens for the season. After a long, wet. and very cold winter, and a boisterous, soppy spring, it was but natural that the greens should bo a little on the soft side, but the wonder was that thoy.played as well as they did under the circumstances. It took a bit of push to get the bowls up on most of the greens, but from the point of trueness there were no complaints, and in another month there should be greens in Wellington equal to the very best over known here. The lower green at Wellington is in excellent condition and promises to give as good play as it did four or five years ago. The upper green at the parent clnb is a new one. During the winter the old green was torn up, the ancient clinker, buried eighteen inches to two feet deep for drainage purposes, was removed as useless; the soil, which was found to have been baked almost as hard as the clinker "was thoroughly disintegrated, freshened with new soil and bonedust, etc., and rolaid and sown with selected seed. Either the seed or the soil was faulty,' for the aggregation of weeds that.'cnme up with the grass has given tho committee' food for reflection. Docks are so numerous "iaj> on Saturday they ab first sight resembled worm casts. It is said that they will die down after a few cuttings. Jhey have already had more than a few cuttings, and seem to bo thriving. At the same time tho grass has come up splendidly, and there is a reasonable chance that it will kill the weeds. The experience that tho Wellington . Club has had with its upper green is the verv best argument in favour ot Mr. R. 'W. Shallcrass's suggestion that clubs should use only digested soil and top-dressing. Had the Wellington Club gone in. for a small digester at the beginning of the year it would have been money in pocket now. Hie Tlioriidon Club's green is again in very good order, and from all accounts played accurately on Saturday. It requires a week or* two of warm sunshine to give n freer run to the bowls. As usual, the Hataitai green if "in the pink. It bears out the wisdom of getting a sound foundation in the first place. Tins comparatively new «reen has had no peer in Wellington for the past three years, and it promises to be just as perfect this season.

THE WELLINGTON CLTJB. Brilliant sunshine and gladdening rausio created quite a festal spirit at the opening of the Wellington Bowling Club. The opening sentence of the president (Mr. A.'Wylie) was unusual yet strikingly fitting.. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "I want you, first of all, to do honour to our soldiers and sailors who are fighting so gallantly for their country, Empi'e, and King, and then join in 'God 'Save the King.' The cheers were given and the National Anthem was-most ■heartily sung by a couple of hundred of lusty voices. Mr. AVylie said he desired to extend a hearty welcome to. all visitors to the green, and hoped that they would all eniov the afternoon's entertainment. The "club was founded in 1886, long before he had anything to do with it, but there were still amongst them somo or the original members, and he hoped that they would be with them for many years to como. He referred to two very old members who were prevented by illness from being present, Mr. John Blundell and Mr. Robert Mouat, both of whom they all honoured and respected very much. Since last year they had lost four of their members by death ■and lamented the fact. They were Messrs. Carter, J. Mandel, W. Sim, and Charles Parata. The war had rolled on another year, and they had to congratulate their soldiers and all thenAllies on the position they now hold'in the battle line. They felt that they were going to win. They had always felt that, though they had little to found such a belief on,-tut -they had faith in their men, faith in their leaders, and the military position- of tho Allies to-day had justilied' that faith. There would, ha thought, be further cause for congratulation before another month had gone by. Their whole sympathies were with the soldiers who were lighting at tho front. (Hear, hear.) Many of their members had lost sons and they had their deepest sympathy, but they had met their losses like men, and he believed if they all had a dozen sons they would wish them nowhere but in the front line. The future was full of glorious hope for a prolonged peace, which lie hoped would soon be consummated. As to the club, they had now good greens, and could look forward to a bright future. The, president then called on Mrs. fealek (wife of the treasurer) to throw the jack, after which the greens were declared open for the season. During the afternoon full play was indulged in on both greens. Afternoon tea was provided, the club ladies attending assiduously to the wants of members and visitors alike. A string band made lively music throughout the afternoon.

HATAITAI OLTJB. The Hataitai green was opened for tho season by Mr. M'Whannell, the president, in the presence of a largo number of the members, ladies, and visitors. All the rinks were fully occupied, the green being found in firstclass condition. At the close of the games a special general meeting of the club was held in reference to life membership, when Mr. Kinniburgh stated that it was proposed that the club should elect Mr. P. Galvin to the position of first lift) member owing to the active part ho had taken in connection with the formation of the Hataitai Club. On it being put to the meeting this was unanimously confirmed by all present standing and passing a vote of sympathy to Mr. Galvin in his present trouble and trusting to. see him restored in health to enjoy the good old game. The following have been chosen to represent the Hataitai Club in a friendly gamo against Ncwtown on October 19:—Away: M'Gregor, Matthews, She'phord, Kinniburgh,(».)} Blick, Pritcliard. Ardell, Williams (a.); Bennett, M'Ken.zie, Ohisholm, Hain (s.). Home: Brown, Bolland, Penney, Hendry (s.); Kitto, Dowling, Newtown, Pryor (s.); Rcay, Gibson, T. Ward, M'Whannell (s.).

NEAVTOWN CLUB. There being no play permitted on opening day, the customary game, President v. Vice-Presidont, was played on Saturday, with the result that the former's representatives came out on ■top by a small aggregate margin. Busults:— J'rosidenfc—Frank Itobbms, Guise, Astill, Noblo (pres.) (s.), 18; Vie»l'rosident — Pankluirst, Levostam, Leahy, Duff (s.), 27. President—L. Warwick, Rigg, Davis, Pollock (s.), 16; Arioc-President—Blcn-kinsop, Playne, Grenside, Eanson (viccpres.) (s.), 15. Sparrow, Dr. Barclay, Prince (s.), 22; Vicc-I'rcsi-dcnfc-'Salmon, Little, J'orter, Phillips (s.), 16. J'resident—llevoll, Gyles, Talbot, Russell (s.), 29; Vice-Prcsident—Green, Fyife, Ferguson, Underwood (s.), 12. 'President—Thompson, J. Remington, J. Roberts, J. Brnokenriclgo (s.), .1.7; VicG-President — Stephenson, Hunt, Swiney, Laughton (s.), 23.

President—W. Roberts,. Barker, Wylie, Popple (s.), 21; Vice-Presi-dent-S. Roberts, Crengel, Priddle, Armstrong (s.), 16. Totals.—President, 123; Vice-Presi-dent, 109. Teams for Saturday next:—Against Hataitai: Home—Hunt, Porter, O. Davis, Richards (s.); C. Luke, Bennett, Astill, Scott (s.); Fyfe, Crengel, Talbot, Russell (s.). Away—L. Warwick, Armstrong, Barker, J. Brackenridge, senr., (s.); Remington, Blcnkinsqp, Phillips, Duff (s.); O. Martin, Crosby, Levestam, R&nsou (a.). Against Island Bay: Home—F. Rabbins, Rigg, Swiney, Grenside (s.): Stephensoii, Caterer, jvliddlebrook, Noble (s.;. Away—Salmon, J. Roberts, W. J. Bobbins, Prince (s.); Thompson, Trevor, W. Read, A. J. Pollock (s.). THORNDON CLUB. The opening of the Thorndon Green took place in file presence of a largo number of members and visitors. In performing the ceremony. Colonel R. J. Collins, president of the clnb, expressed pleasure at seeing such a largo number of visitors present. The president specially welcomed a number of returned soldiers from Victoria Hospital, who have been given the freedom of the green. He also extended greetings to a number of old members who had rejoined the club. The president referred to the efforts of the club in the raising of funds for the Red Cross, and stated that, the amount coilecte.l was tho second largest raised amongst bowling clubs in Wellington. Twelve new members were elected during the afternoon. After Colonel Collins had concluded his address, Mrs. Collins threw the jack, and the president declared the green open. Mrs. Collins entertained the assembly at afternoon tea. His Worship the Mayor and Mrs. Luke were present. Rinks were selected, President v. Vice-President, the aggregate scores being 171 and 141 respectively. Following are the results:— President.-O'Reilly, Davy, Gamble, Dimock (s.), 20. Worthington Copeland. Burdekin, Ronaklsou (s.), 21. Clark, Wright,.Hull, Ross (s.), 16. Gnlbraith, Matthewman, Loiigton, Cohen (s.), 22. J. O. Smith. Young, Rntter, Upbani (».), 21. King, Burton, Chittey, Mason (s.), 34. Ere, Arden, Freeman, Wilson (s.), 27. Total, 'vice-President—Stuart, Campbell, Hadfield, Munro (s.), 27. Jourdani, H. Williams. G. Munro, M'Eldowney (s.), 16. Medland, Murdoch. Staff, Conlin, 19. Macklin, Smith. Stanford, Gray (s) 30. Myers. Russell, Pattie, M'Kay (s.), 20. Wilwm. Miller, Hill, Shallcrass ' (6.). 15. Tahiti, Biickeridge, Dodds, Hatch (s.), 14. Total, 141.

WAIRARAFA CENTRE. The annual meeting of the Wairarapa Centre was held at Carterton on Thursday afternoon, representatives being in attendance from Masterton, Eketahuna, Carterton, and Greytown. Mr. A. AV. Chapman presided. The statement of finances showed a credit of £13 Us. Tho report and balance-sheet were adopted. Officers were elected as under:— President, Mr. C. Wilton (Park Club) j vice-president, Mr. H. Trotman (Greytown) ; secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. Jfhillpotts (Carterton). Tile Masterton representatives asked that in the event or either the, A or B sections playing into the finals tfor the Booth Cup and Shield competitions, the club have the right to play its full Saturday or Thursday strength. After some discussion it was decided that any club nominating two teams in the respective competitions must play the same section right through. , It was decided that a certificate bo procured for tho winner of the champion of champion singles, and that the fixture be nn annual affair. It was also resolved that in tho event of a champion through unavoidable circumstances being unable to attend that a substitute bo allowed in tho runnerup, and that no club be allowed to compete unless it discovers its champion. The annual tournament was fixed for Masterton on January 1 nnd 2, and the arrangements were left in tho hands of the Masterton and Park delegates. It was resolved not to enforce the rule .regarding the testing of bowls until the beginning of next season, but that in the meantime all bowls should be tested.

Mr. W. Fisher was appointed to represent tho centre at the annual meeting of the council to be held at Auckland.

A bonus of two guineas was granted" the secretary, and votes of thanks were accorded the retiring officers. The Wellington, Thorndon and Hataitai Bowling Clubs are to open their greens for tho season this afternoon. The Khandallah Club's opening will take place on Saturday next.