Feilding Bowling Club.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 160, 9 January 1896, Page 2

Feilding Bowling Club.

The Feilding Bowling Club's green was formally opened yesterday afternoon by the Mayor, Walter A. L. Bailey, Esq., who is, also, President of the Club. There was a large attendance of members, spectators, aud visiting bowlers from Paltnerston N., Wauganui, Wellington, and New Plymouth Clubs. Altogether at least two hundred persons must have been present. The weather, after the previous night's downpour of rain, was fine, although a gale of wind was blowing during the day, but this did not affect the enthusiasm of the players. The representatives from the Palmerston Club were— Messrs K. Wilson, A. Lissaman, R. Keeling, J. R. Macmillan, S. Grear, D. B. Harris, J. Mayo, McKellar, A. Hilley, W. H. Haybitfcle, J. Kebblcwhite, A. Winks, W. T. Woods, F. Mowlein, G. J. Scott, M. Hodgings, F. Bryant, G. Bennett, J. Hall, M. Cohen, L. Symonds, W. G. Ravenhill ; Wanganui Club was represented by Messrs J. Bennie, W. T. Benefleld, W. Rodwell, E. Moult, R. Russell, J. S. Thomson, A. Elliot ; the Wellington Club was represented by Messrs Balliuger and Campbell, and the New Plymouth Club by Mr A. Woodhead. j In opening the green Mr Bailey heartily welcomed all the visitors on this, their first opening day. He referred in complimentary terms to the manner in which Mr C. Bray, senr., bad carried out the duty allotted to him of supervising the work of making the green. After bowling a " jack " over the yreen he declared it open for the season. Games were then played by six rinks, the sides representing a game between the President and Vice-President, and play was continued until 5 o'clock. The visitors were loud ia their praises of the green and although it was a little " heavy " I declared it to be the best in New Zealand for its age and confidently expressed the opinion that it would be second to none in the colony in a few years. It is the full size 120 ft by 120ft— being equal to those at Wanganui and Napier — the only three full-sized greens in the North Island. A very enjoyable afternoon's play was indulged in and at the conclusion Mr K. Wilson, President of the Palmerston Club, thanked the members of the Feilding Club for the hearty reception extended to the visitors. He thought the Feilding Club had established a record, and did not know of* any club starting with so many members who had made such a green, which was the makings of a green that would in a few years be second to none in the colony. Mr Bailey thanked the visitors for their attendance and referred to the fact of there being representatives from New Plymouth, Wanganni, Palmerston and Wellington, showing the enthusiasm of bowlers. Mr Campbell, on behalf of the Northern Bowling Association, congratulated the club and suggested their joining the Association if they could see their way to do so. There would be a tournament in Auckland towards the end of next month, when New South Wales was sending a team, and if this club was affiliated they could send a team, which he advised them to do as a better knowledge of the game would be obtained. The turf on this green promised better than any he had yet seen. Mr Rodwell, secretary of the Wanganui Club, congratulated them on the opening of the green and thanked the local club for their courtesy. Cheers were given for the Feilding Club and the president and for the visitors. Below are the several rinks which played with the gepres :— President's side. Vice-Pkedt's. side. Rink No. 1. J. Hall G, W, Fowles B. Gosling M. Cohen P. Thomson J. S. Thompson J. McLaren K. Wilson (skip) 21 (skip) 18 Rink No. 2. C. Bray, junr. E. .). Allen. E. Goodbehere T. H. James G. Bennett Jack J D Yates (skip) 29 T. Ballinger (skip) 23 Riuk No. o. H. L. Sherwill W. T. Woods W. A. L. Bailey M. Hodgings A. Elliott F. Bryant G. J. Scott A. Woodhead (skip) 22 (skip) 25 Rink No. 4. A. Winks W. T. Benefield W. Light H. W. Davy A. W. Haybittle J. Kibblewhite J. BennieJ(skip) 37 F Mowlem (skip) 17 Rink No. 5. R. Keeling J. R- Macmillan H. Wollerman D. B. Harris S. Greer A. Lissaman Campbell (skip) 23 jE. Moult (skip; la Rink No. 6. C. Bray, senr. I E. Giesen E. Yoiing I R. Russell McKelTar J- Mayo' A. RodSyeli | Drety-'Gjkip) ... 30 (skip) 33' "'• '-— — - Total 129