BOWLING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4895, 26 October 1925, Page 2

BOWLING.

THE HIKUTAIA CLUB. COURTS-AND GREENS OPENED. Despite the unfavourable weather conditions that prevailed on Saturday the official opening of the Hikutaia Bowling, Tennis, and Croquet clubs took place' in the presence of a large gathering, including visitors, from Hamilton, Paeroa, Waihi, and Thames. Shortly before .the time arranged for the opening the sun shone brightly, and the music supplied by an orchestra soon had the large crowd in a good humour. The greens and the immediate environs were looking their best, the ferns and young shrubs being particularly commented upon. The hospitality of the Hikutaia people is already well known, .and the warmth of their welcome on Saturday more than made up for the absence of the sunshine earlier in the day. In a happy speech the president, and donor of the Memorial Park Mr W. H. Alley, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors, and hoped that they would spend an enjoyable afternoon. A number of apologies were ceived from bowlers who were unable to attend. After thanking ,the ladies for the valiant part they had played in contributing to the afternoon’s pleasure the president, called on Mrs Alley to throw the first jack. This task she skilfully performed, and tlie green was declared open amidst applause. Those desiring to play bowls were divided into rinks and play commnec r ed. Following are the results: — Hankins 22, v. McKechnie 14 ; W. H. Alley 23, v. Chapman 17 ; W. Hamilton 22, v. Prickett 16; A.- E. Say 1 17, v. L. C. Cane 15.

The tennis club was formally declared open by the president, Mr V. Young. After extending a welcome to the visitors he called on Mrs Young to drive the hall over tlie net, and the courts were declared open for the 1925-26 season. A large number of players took part hi .the sets arranged.

In a neat speech Mr G. Avery, president of the Hikutaia Croquet Club, formally) declared the lawns open for plac for the season, and Mrs Avery drove the ball through the first hoop to the accompaniment of hearty applause. There were so many willing workers on Saturday, and the welcome accorded to visitors was so hearty and general, that it would not be possible to acknowledge all those who assisted, but without wishing to made any invidious comparison a special, word of praise is due td* Mr F. R. Birdsall, the secretary, for the completeness of the arrangements for the enjoyment of those who attended.

At the conclusion of the afternoon’s -play various visitors returned thanks for the hospitality accorded them and wished the club every success in the future. A special vote of thanks to the ladies was carried by acclamation.

CLOTHIER SHIELD TOURNAMENT. PLAY AT TE AROHA. . The annual,. Clothier Shield and Goldfields Stars, tournament, Which fe 'being held at ,Te Aroha, was commenced on Saturday, and is being continued to-day. ’

On Saturday morning the weather was wet, and play had to be abandoned. However, about 1.30 p.m. the sky cleared and the sun shone brightly, and play was resumed, a. thoroughly enjoyable afternoon being spent The players were divided iiifo two sections, and at the conclusion, of tlie play on Saturday evening H. Peterson (Te Aroha) was leading in section A with three wins, and in section B. Branch (MorrinsviUe) was leading, also witli three wins. Following are the details of the play:—

, Section A : H. Peterson (Te Aroha) 12, v. P. Heathcote (Te Aroha) 8.; W. H. Taylor (Paeroa) 23, v. F. Hayward (Paeroa) 7 ; Moncrief (MorrinsviUe) 20, v. Adamson (Thames) 19 ; Garland (Matamata) a bye. Second Round: Peterson 18, v. W. H. Taylor 9; Hayward 19, v. Heathcote 14 ; Moncrief 16,, v’ Garland 15; Adamson a bye. Third Round: Peterson 13, v. Hayward 11; w. H. Taylop 12, v. Heathcote 9; Adamson v. Garland unfinished ; Moncrief a bye. Section B: Bygrave (Te Aroha) 18, jf. W. Purdie (Paeroa) 8; Branch (MorrinsviUe) 18, v. Cornish (Morrinsville) 13; Gallagher (Waikino) 12, v. Stewart (Matamata) 9; Smith (Thames) a bye. Second Round: Branch 17, v. Bygrave 16 ; Purdie 12, v. Cornish 11; Gallagher 11, v. Smith 9; Stewart a bye. Third Round: Cornish beat Bygrave ; Branch 16, v. Purdie 8; Stewart v, Smith unfinished ;. Gallagher a bye.