BOWLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2329, 23 October 1908, Page 3

BOWLING.

TURANGANUI CLUB.

OPENING OF THE SEASON

Notwithstanding weather conditions not very favorable the opening of the season at the green, of the luranganui Bowling-Club yesterday afternoon was a highly successful function . Ihe green was in good order from a. bowler’s point of view. The gathering was large, and all present evidently enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Players were in strong force, for to the members of the Turangamii Chili were added many of those of the Gisborne Club, who, animated by the camaraderie which exists among howlers, came to assist at the function, and, incidentally, to- enjoy themselves heartily. Though the weather was threatening, many ladies attended, and, if they did not take any active part in the" play, they materially added to the pleasure of the players by dispensing afternoon tea, with various appetising accessories. As is customary on opening day at the Turanganui green, the play consisted of a match between teams captained respectively by the President, and Vice-president. Members and visitors alike took part in the match, which was won by the Vice-president’s team by one point—lo 7to 106. - Five rinks were played, and the A7ice-pre-sident’s side was victorious at three of them. Play was started shortly after 2 p.m., but the ceremonial opening did not take place till an hour later. Members and visitors then gathered around.the pavilion, and the President, Mr. G. Matthewson, standing on the green, gave a short address. Before doing so, lie read a letter from the Mayor (Mr. AA 7 . D. Lysnar) who apologised for the fact that the Mayoress and himself were unable, owing to another 1 engagement, to be present when the proceedings opened." His AVorsliip, with Mrs. Lysnar, however, came on. the green later in the afternoon.

Mr. Matthewson began his short speech by saying that he felt: it a privilege and a pleasure to preside at the. opening of the green, and lie proceeded to congratulate the members of the club upon the progress made during the three seasons in which they had played. They had, he said, been very primitive at the start-,' as most bowling clubs were, but. they were getting over that stage. They had had a largo accession of members, and their green had been much improved. . His advice to the. recruits was—Practice, practice, practice. It was only by practice aud perseverance that a bowler became able to take part in a tournament. He thanked the visitors, and, in particular, their friends of the Gisborne Club, of whom it was very gratifying to see so many there,, fob their attendance, and in so doing he was echoing the sentiments of every member of the Turanganui Club. It was characteristic of bowlers that when one of them went to ally green, no matter where, lie was at once taken by the hand and recognised as a bowler and a brother, and when the members of the Tivranganui Club . had visited the Gisborne green the there had treated them with an exuberance of hospitality which they felt quite unable to return. Last, but not least, he mustthank the ladies. Hitherto the club had not had.much' accommodation for them and for other visitors, but Had now improved a little in that respect. It was the intention of the club to provide afternoon tea every Thursday afternoon for bowlers and their lady friends, "and he hoped the ladies would grace the green with their presence on that afternoon of each week. Several seats had been donated, and he wished to thank those gentlemen who had kindly given, them, He would now wish the. Turangamii Club a veryprosperous season, and would declare the green open by throwing the jack. Play was then resumed, but __ the President did not have the satisfaction of scoring a win. The following were the players’ scores and the various rinks, those of the President’s side being mentioned first:— .Hird, Colley, Williams, Matthewson . (skip) 17 v. R. Skeet, Cussen, Stormont, AA 7 . Pettie (skip) 26. C. Lewis, T. Clarkson, Hallam, Hennessy (skip) 17 v, Malcolm, B. Lewis, Craig, Nasmith senr (skip) 21. F. Lysnar, Hailey, G. Miller, Gaudin (skip) 27, v. Edwards, Boulton, Ratcliffe Simeon! (skip) 21. McSkimrning, McConnfe'll, Nasmith jnr, J. J. Martin (skip) 29 v. AVilson, Traill, Corson, Ponsford (skip) 17. Douglas, Morse, Bennett, Crawford (skip) 16 v. Birrell, Neill, Hepburn, Sawyer (skip) 22. Total—President’s side 106, A7icepresident’s side 107 GISBORNE CLUB. <; Despite the windy weather, a number oi : practice games were played yesterday afternoon on the Kaitii green, the following being the results: Lucas and Eure (skip) 20 beat J. F. Pettie and Mclntosh (skip) 13: Seymour, Robertson, Kymc, '-AV. ft. Brady (skip) 26 boat. H. Lewis, O’Meara, E. Bullock, C. 11. Ambridge (skip) 20; Dyer, R. Crawford, E. AVilliams, Brown (skip) 20 beat E. AV. Burton, E. Pavitt, AV. R. Clarkson, R. Robertson (skip) 19.