AWAROA BOWLING CLUB

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 23 October 1914, Page 4

AWAROA BOWLING CLUB

OPENING OF THE GREEN

HELENSVILLE had quite a festive appearance on Saturday last, the occasion being the opening of Helensville's new Bowling Green. A string of flags hung over the road at the junction of Awaroa Road and Garfield Street, another at the junction of Awaroa Road and Stewart Street, while the Club's flagstaff also was gay with bunting, the ECHO'S large Union Jack being on top.

During the morning a number of visitors arrived and were taken round to the green, where the morning was occupied with practice games.

The formal opening took place at 2 p.m. The President, Mr D. Stewart, in a few well-chosen words, welcomed the visitors, and expressed the hope that they would have a pleasant afternoon and an enjoyable game. The green, he said, that we are opening to-day is a pi ay-ground for all Helensville, and the Club hoped that not only all present members, but all the sportsmen of Helensville would join and make the Club a prominent success. He apologised for the shortness of his address, and then called upon Mr E. Thurlow Field (Horf. Secretary) to make a few remarks.

Mr Field, then (as Chairman of the Town Board.) included outside visitors and wished them a good afternoon's enjoyment. He also welcomed local visitors .in the name of the Club. The opening of this green, he said, marked an epoch in Helensville, for it was perhaps the first time that Helensville had ever been at one in the matter of sport. The membership of the Club embraced every part of the town, and he hoped this would be the commencement of a time when all would work for the good of the town as a whole. He said he could not close without expressing the gratitude of the Club to its president, Mr Daniel Stewart, who had not only provided at his own cost most of the furnishings of the green, including pavilion and flagstaff, but had also expended months of his own time, and weeks of the time of his own employees, in the work of actually forming the green. Mr Field then called upon Mrs Daniel Stewart to open the green in the good old-fashioned way by " rolling up the Jack." - This was done in the approved style, amid the applause of the onlookers.

Rinks were then drawn, and five full rink games were immediately started, and were in full progress when,unfortunately, at about 3 p.m. play was stopped by heavy rain. A strong committee of ladies, under the leadership of Mrs D. Stewart, had been formed, and during the afternoon tea and cakes galore were handed round and greatly appreciated. In fact, nothing was wanting to make the whole function a most enjoyable event, if only the weather had continued favourable.

Before the rain came on a group of all present was formed in front cf the pavilion and an Auckland photographer took a photo of the group. We understand these will be on sale in the course of a few days.