BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 123, 22 February 1928, Page 12

BOWLS

VISIT OF VICTORIAN TEAM MATCH AGAINST WELLINGTON CENTRE Five rinks of howlers from Victoria, mostly from Melbourne, arrived hero from the south yesterday morning and were met at the wharf by some of the members of the Wellington Centre. The official welcome took place at the Wellington Club’s green at 2.15 p.m., when the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) accorded the team a welcome on behalf of the citizens.

Mr. Troup said that it gave him great pleasure to extend to the visiting team, on behalf of the citizens, a hearty welcome. He hoped they would thoroughly enjoy themselves whilst here. He referred to the way in which meeting on the bowling green cemented friendships not only between individuals but also between countries represented by those individuals. He also told, the story of a Victorian who, when visiting New Zealand, had said: “I was born a Victorian; I have lived a Victorian;

and I hope to die a Victorian!” when a rather surprised voice interjected, “Lawks, mon, hae ye nae ambition?” Mr. M. Marks, president of the centre, gave greetings on behalf of the 18 clubs in the Wellington district, and remarked on the intense pleasure it gave him to meet them all. He had been in Victoria often, and he hoped to meet them all again over there. He gave the assurance that it did not matter much who won so long as the game was played in the right spirit. (Applause.) Mr. Marks presented a centre badge to the manager of the visiting team (Mr. W. Lyon), and handed him one for "each member of the team and the ladies in the party. Mr. Lyon, on behalf of the team, thanked the Mayor for the warmth ot the welcome. and said they were out to “play the game” as British bowlers ana British brethren. A WIN FOR WELLINGTON VICTORIA LOSES ON ALL FIVE RINKS The conditions were bv no means ideal for play yesterday afternoon. The lower green of the Wellington Club is badly worn, and the drains can now bo clearly traced by the bare streaks on the surface. At the playing ends th? greens are practically bare. which makes for a keen running surface. The puffy wind, too, made the going very tricky for all hands. Wellington rinks won in all five games, the results being as follow:— Victoria—Kingsbury, Davie, Gaylard, Newham (s.), 12; Wellington—Bevin, Moston, Shaw, Fielding (s.), 22. Victoria —Hindle, Leith, Fergusson, Maine (s.), 13; Wellington—Dempster, Redmond, Pepper. Stephens (s.), 24. Victoria— Creeth, Roy, Whalley, H. M. Leggo (s.), 27; Wellington—Potter, McArthur, Mayer, E. J. Hill (s.), 30. Victoria—B. 11. Leggo, Davie, Lyon, Bayly (s.), 15; Wellington—Marks, Innes, Burn, Cooper (s.), 2*. Victoria —Florant, Pilkington, Barnett, Wright (s.), 19; Wellington—Johnson, do Tourettes. Goodwin, Lowry (s.), Totals—Wellington 122, Victoria 86. SMOKE CONCERT

The 'Wellington Bowling Club's pavilion was filled last night, when the Wellington Centre tendered a smoke concert to the Victorian bowlers. Mr. M. Marks (president.) occupied the chair, and as a preamble to the proceedings, staled that no the visitors had now reached the real land of the Maoris, it was only right that they should be given a welcome characteristic of the country. With that he called upon Haare Hongi (.Mr. Henry Stowell) to deliver an address of welcome, which Mr. Marks interpreted. I'ollowing upon the address of welcome a troupe of warriors, stripped to the huff, and tattooed like the braves of old, took the stage, and gave a rousing haka with surprising vigour, a performance that was so convincing that it had to be repeated. It. was literally a howling success. Tho president, in proposing the health of the visitors, said they had met many bowlers before but none who bad proved such genial and sociable companions on the green, and, ho hoped that their tour through New Zealand would be as enjoyable as they could wish Mr. W. Lyon, in responding, thanked the Wellington bowlers for the rousing welcome given to them. Mr. IL F. Wood sang "Charmaine,, anil Mr, 11. Cook rendered Mendelssohn's famous song, "I’m a Roamer,” Io which ho had Io append "The Sergeant-Alaior. Air E. J. Hill sang "Dainty Dorothea” ami "Waiata Poi”; Mr. Stark attributed comic songs, and Mr. C. Tucker gave a couple of fTuto solos. Air. E. IT. F.eggo, one of the visiting bowlers, contributed a rollicking bowling song, and Mr. Florant (another Victorian) told a number of humorous stories. _ Tho accompaniments of Mr. H. Whittle were much appreciated. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME This morning the visiting Victorians are to bo taken for a motor drive, and this afternoon they will play a new sot of rinks on the Eastbourne Club’s green. GOLDEN BOWLS A GIFT FROM BENDIGO. At the smoke concert, tendered by the Wellington Centro Io the visiting bowlers from Victoria, Mr. FL M. Loggo, of Bendigo. presented «' ot four miniaturn gold bowls, made from Bendigo ”old, to bo allotted to the members of *'>n champion rink of the centre, to be decided on Wednesday, March 7. The gift, which was acknowledged with all eood wishes for Wellington nnd its bowlers. was acknowledged by the president dlr. AL Marks), who said that Mr Legco’s generous gift was much appreciated. and would add to tho zest of the games. ' Mr. I.eggn .also presented white leather b n lts to Messrs. Conk and E J. Hill for being champion entertainers.