BOWLING GREENS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 20, 19 October 1942, Page 2

BOWLING GREENS

More Clubs Open Saturday was the day on which most of the bowling greens in Wellington .and its suburbs opened for the season. Ceremonies were lield at the Wellington, Newtown, Hataitai, Kelburn, Petone, Woburn, Johnsonville and Upper Hutt greens. The Island Bay, Lyall .Bay and Eastbourne clubs have yet to open. The day was fine, though not. as perfect as for the openings the previous Saturday, and there were large attendances, not only of players but also gue'sts. Wellington Club. There was a large attendance at the official opening of the Wellington duo’s season, including many women. The president, Mr. J. C. E. Turner, in welcoming members and visitors, said that the dub was entering upon the 56th. year of its existence. Unfortunately the war overshadowed all sports activities, and had naturally curtailed the operations of bowlers. While pennant matches had had to be cut out, the club would be able to engage in many other interclub matches. Their thoughts were saddened by the fact that during the past year the dub had lost several' ot their most valued members, including Messrs. Forbes Smith, W. Band, W. G. Faulkner, W J. Thompson, W. Robson and J. J. Reich, all of whom (had given valued services to -the club. He welcomed the presence of presidents of sister dubs, including Messrs. Early , Dempster '(Karon) and Clarke. (Thoindon). An innovation this season would be (Sunday play, which would probablyA start on November 1. The club would" 5 hold four tournaments during the season, apart from' the patriotic tournaments which had been arranged by the centre. During the past year parcels had been sent to soldiers overseas every, three months. A working bee, organized by Mr. Frank Ross, had done invaluable work in improving the greens during, the past season, and they were greatly indebted to their greenkeeper, Mr. L. Waite, for the excellent condition in which he had the greens for the opening of the season. A special greeting had been received from the president of the Christchurch Bowling Club, Air. VV. i Mr! d J. l Norrie. president of the Wellington Bowling Centre, congratulated the Wellington club upon the excellence of their greens and their surroundings. ■ It was apparent that the club had n woudeifullv enthusiastic band or members, tie could tell them that the centre valued the services of the Wellington club s delegate. Mr. J. H. O’Donnell, whose adnee was welcomed. Mrs. Turner, wife of the president of tho club, threw the first silver kitty of the season, and Mr. W. Berry, the club s oldest playing member, sent up the first bowl, a toucher. Play was then indulged in, both greens being fully occupied. Newtown Club. There was a large attendance of members and visitors at the opening or the Newtown club’s season. The president, Mr. J. Cunninghame, in welcoming -visitors said that the club would celebrate its jubilee next year, having been established in May, 1893. v„,, i The president of the Wellington Bowling Centre. Mr. Norrie, and the secretary, Mr. IV. Gilbert, congratulated the greenkeeper upon the excellent condition of the greens. . , The wife of the vice-president pt the elub, Mrs. Innis, threw the first kitty ot the season, and the first bowls were sent up by the two oldest members o the club, Messrs. IV. Read and J - Afternoon tea was provided by the wiVvS of members of the club. Hataitai Club. The Hataitai greens were in splendid order for the opening of the season. The president. Mr? F. W. said that three patriotic gala days would be J?® by the club during the season, pi lies for which had been donated by All. James Bell Every vacancy in club membeislnp had been filled and there was every prosuect of a most successful season. The president of the centre, Mr, Norrie, and the secretary, Mr. Gilbert, congratulated the elub upon the it had made last season.. of the season was thrown by Mrs. Reed, and the first bowls put up Vi two foumla tion members, O. Penney aud J. A. Mai(ni" Kelburn Club. Air 11. Williams, president of the Kelburn elub, made feeling reference ; at the official opening of p l0 (1 the elub had sustained by the deaths ot two old members, A. J. D eeas .n u y. AleKenzie. There was a large attend ance of members and visitors. Air K- AM'right also congratulated the club ou its success last season, and wished it a ■"KSl.yiove, 1« ft. a ‘to ”’X SeISS ™ ».* ft ft. dub-, sreenkeepm-, Air. W. D. Bell, on the eve of his going into a military camp. I’ctouc. There was a large gathering at the I'etone club for its -18th opening, including the deputy-mayor, Mr. Green, ami Mre Green, Air. J. Cuming, M.b.C., representing Mr. Nash, the AI.P. lor the district, representatives trom other clubs, and ii foundation member. Air 1. M. Johnston. In a brief speech the president Air. O. Silbtry, asked tor members to give full support to the centre s patriotic tournauients. He said tho dull hud decided to allow members in the forces’ to retain the privileges of lull meiubbrship Mrs. Green throw up the first kittv and Air. T. W. Johnston, one of the oldest members, played the first bowl. Woburn. The Woburu club’s season was opened bv the mayor of Lower Hutt, Air. Andrews, who was accompanied by the mayoress, Mr. Andrews congratulated the club on the state of the property, sayinn- that though it was one of the city coiincil’s best assets it had cost the council nothing. He wished the members a happy season and said that be hoped that when they opened the season again it would be 'under happier conditions. The president, Mr. W. Ferkins, said that in the

absence of a greenkeeper a working bee of members had done good work on and about the green. He mentioned particularly Jlr, B. Dickson s rolling and cutting o£ the green. Mrs. Perkins threw up the first kitty and the clubs patron, Mr. M. C. Bowe, played the first bowl.