BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 15, 13 October 1919, Page 7

BOWLS

FURTHER CLUB OPENINGS

GOVERNOR-GENERAL AT WELLINGTON . CLUB '

AVellington weather was on its very, best behaviour on Saturday afternoon when a furtheV batch of clubs opened their greens for the season. That statement may not be literally true, for though tlj.e opening ceremonies, were duly performed, the very heavy rain on Friday precluded, any play taking place in some cases, for at this time "Teens have to .be carefully nursed if they are to wear . well throughout the whole of the season. The Karori Club's green has never been better than it is to-day; the Victoria and Thorndon'Clubs' greens aro pink of spring condition, and the middle green oL the Wellington Club— which has given the club a good deal of trouble for three'years past, has now a. fine solid sole of'gross practically freo from weeds. , This is largely duo to-the use during the winter-of a substantial top-dressing of digested soil. The: club has established a digester on its-grounds, which enables a square yard of soil to be steamed (or. digested) at a' tim<y-a •process which kills all the weed seeds without interfering, with the richness or fertility of tho soil itself. The green is an excellent advertisement for digested soil. WELLINGTON CLUB. ; . The ceremony of opening the AVellington 'duo's green was performed by His Excellency tho Governor-General, who was met at the main entrance by tlfe Wellington Scottish Sooiety's Pipe Band and danoing, nymphs in-full Highland kit; . A little procession was formed with tho pipers (led by Chieftain Colin Campbell), after whom followed the Gov-ernor-General and the Countess of Liverpool, escorted by the president <jf ■ the oltib (Mr. Thomas Ballinger). _ A large attendance of members and friends (including many ladies) was , present, aiid with the big pavilion alive with bunting, the scone' was a pleasant one to look upou. On arrival at the stairway Her Excellency was presented with "a magnificent bouquet of red tulip 3 (tho club's colour). In introducing the Gov-ernor-General, the president said that'ft gave him great pleasure to see so many present on; such a beautiful afternoon to witness the opening season. They, had experienced doubts, previously, as to the weuther, but the fine weather he took to be an augury of a happy season. Only on ono previous occasion had these|ison been opened by a Governor. The club was 33 years old, having been established in >1887. The object ,in seeking the'honour of having the Governor- ' General to open the green this season was because' it was poaco year. They had all passed through a most trying time. Not many of their members had gono away, owing to tlio great majority of thetjr being over military age, but three or four had gone, and many sons of members—some of whom had not-come back.They knew that ,His Excellency was shortly to leave New 1 Zealand, other;wise they might have hoped to make a bowler of him. During the recess several old-members of the club had been; called away, and only that mofning they l had laid to rest Mr. Charles Hilt, one of the oldest and most respected members of, the Club. He then called on His Excellency, who expressed sympathy with the club in the loss of ono of its oldest members. ,He really did not know why he was on ' the' platform talking. IJearing in mind a jocular remark of tne president's about tne qualifications of a bowler, reminded him of what a former Lord Chancellor (one who had been wicket-keeper in an Oxford eleven) had said when ! asked to play again. His reply had been that-he could not,se<! his toes as well as he used to. (Laughter.) After being associated with the sport of youth, he had expected to find himself among the eere and yellow, but looking round , he saw none over forty. There was one, perhaps, but he noticed he had disappeared fearing that he would be referred'.to.- The reference was to lusfriend Colonel Collins, who though a :little over forty-.was as lively as,lie was■ at nineteen,. (Laughter.) He regretted that in opening the club he cpuld not give an actual demonstration as did the Mayor when .he opened a swimming bath. Though' they had passed through the turmoil during the past few years, he asked them to place/in their minds tho fact that they had to face the future, and there was a big future before them all. He had much pleasure in declaring the green open. (Applause.) The Countess of Liverpool theiuthrew a silver "jack" along the sward, amidst applause.- • During the afternoon the pipers piped gaily and a feextet of nimble little girls performed reels, flings, and strathspeys to the delight'of everyone. An instrumental trio also performed selections during -the afternoon. Afternoon tea was served in the social hall by the ladies, and the balls clicked merrilv in the bil-liard-room above throughout the afternoon. . Tho Welington Club is to play a friendly match with Lyall' Bay next Saturday. .v - . HATAITAI. CLUB. The Hataitai Club opened its green for the season in perfect weather on Saturday afternoon, but there was no play owing to the green being in too sodden a condition. after Friday's heavy downpour of rain. The opening ceremony was performed by the. president (Mr. J. Cheeseman), who extended a hearty welcome to all, and paid a tribute to, the. loyalty of the ladies who, did so much to further the interests of the club. He-was proud to be,the first president «of the club after the great world strife was <)yer, and he expressed the hope that the club would continue to prosper. "'The caretaker had taken admirable care of the green during the recess, and it could pow hold its own with any in Wellington.l The president announced that Mr. Arthur Claridge had won the Mackenzie Cup (for singles) l last season, and took the opportupitjj' of presenting it to him with' every good wish for the player's future success. Nine new members wereeleoted. The club is to play a friendly match against Petone on Saturday next.

LYALL HAY CLUB. Glorious sunshine, a smiling green, and general enthusiasm of the members made' tor a very successful opening pf the season at the Lyall Bay Bowling Club's ground on Saturday afternoon. In docianng the season open, and the green in tip-top playing order, the president (Mr. Arthur Raven) mado mention of the fact that this was tho first occasion for"' the past five years that climatic conditions . had favoured a successful opening of the season for the club, and he was sure that it augured well for the coining summer months. The president also referred to the fact, that peace now prevailed, and made special reference to tlie. Empire's great efforts in conjunction .with our gallant Allies in bringing the war. to a successful issue. Tho giune of bowls, as with other sport, had been represented 011 the great battlefields of the world, and though it was true that bowling was not essentially a young man's game, nevertheless tho sport had Buffered, and this was hardly to be wondered at considering the great issues which had ' been at stake. Few had had the heart to play bowls with enthusiasm during the trying period of tho war,' but now that, the Empire had successfully emerged from her great trials;, bowlers everywhere Mu tho Dominion were anticipating many pleasant days. Ho had much pleasure in welcoming visitors to tho function of the afternoon, and reminded the residents ot" tho district, and .members of kindred clubs that tho gates of tho club's grounds wero always open to them. Ho considered that hq was justified in looking forward to a very successful" $enson for the Lyall .Bay Club, and urged on this

members tho necessity of taking a live interest in tho welfare of tho • club. Shortly menibors. would be asked to consider the advisability of erecting a new story to tho club's pavilion, thus making tlio club the equal of any in Wellington. Mr. R. A. AYright, M.P., was also called upon to say a few words, and in tho courso of bis remarks congratulated tho club on its grounds and its membership, and was pleased to note ihe active interest displayed by the ladies in the Croquet Club, which was also declared open for tiie season. Mrs, Haven was called upon to open the season, and did so in the timehonoured fashion of throwing tho "jack," a' medium longth. . Visitors, members, and theii) friends were subsequently entertained at afternoon tea. The visiting teams, Nowtown, Island Bay, and Karori met representatives of the Lyall Hay Club, Newtown and Karori winning, the seoros being-.—Nowtown, 2K—ll; Karori, 23—13. Lyall Bay won from Island Hay, the scores being Lyall liay, 1)2; Island Bay, 18.