BOWLING.

Shannon News, 24 November 1925, Page 3

BOWLING.

GALA DAY AT SHANNON. The gala day arranged by the Manawatu Bowling Centre was. held on the Shannon green on Saturday afternoon. The day was perfect for bowling and the green was in splendid order, while there was a large attendance of bowlers and friends, rinks being present from the Mahawatu, ■Terrace -End, Takaro and Levin Clubs. Before play commenced the President (Mr J. T. Bovis) said .that all would regret to learn-"that no\v s had been received of the. death of Queen Alexandra and as a token of respect to a Queen who had made herself beloved of all, lie asked all present "to stand in .silence for one minute. After this mark of respect had been observed he then extended a hearty welcome to the visitors, wishing them an enjoyable* afternoon's .sport, hoping they\vould find the green to their liking. He said the thanks of the Club was due to ithe Manawatu Centre for arranging the gala ' day and to outside clubs for their assistance. It. was such days as these, he said, which helped to foster the game ainiong country clubs, who needed all the assist-

ance they can get from ihe larger bodies. Mr Davidson, of Terrace End, returned thanks on behalf of the visiting players. A number of rink games were then played. During the afternoon refreshments were dispensed by the ladies. In the evening the ceremony of officially turning on the electric light on the green was - performed in the presence of -a large gathering of members and the general public and the members of the visiting clubs, who had taken part during the afternoon in -the gala day games. At the request of the President, iMr T. Hensmann, a pioneer and life member of the Club?expressed'the hitter's thanks to the visitors for their presence and also to'Mr'Knight,, the Club's greenkeeper, who he said had done yocman service in his capacity. -He then traced the history of the Club to the position it holds to-day, during-which he' stated that somewhere about 20 years ago, the late, .Mr Sfansell, came to reside in Shannon and being a bowling enthusiast, it was not long before, with the aid of one or two Others he set about getting a. Club forfhed. At that time it appeared to be quite impossible, but. a s has often been said, "once a ibowler, always a bowler," the promoters' enthusiasm made it a possibility and a company was formed, land purchased and a green laid down. The first 13 or 1-4 years, the Club had a very chequered career, mainly owing to the town's noalting population which -caused the membership to 'fluctuate considerably and at times ithere were hardly suffi-cient'mem-tiers to carry on. At other periods when there were sufficient members and everything going smoothly, a few would leave and they would have to. battle on. At the,end of the season when the war started lie remembered there was only one other member, Mr E. Butt, and Inmslf on the green, but they continued on' When he looked back on the early days of -the Club it gave him "reat pleasure now to see the progress they had made. They had met that

evening to (celebrate further progress, namolv the turning on of the electric lioht on the green and he hoped that evervone would put forward every effort to make the evening an enjoyable one. is . Mr Davidson (Terrace End), ,m returning thanks on 'behalf of the visitors, congratulated the Ckih on its progress. He said that'liis (Club had hacT the light installed some time and it had proved a big asset and he felt sure the Shannon Club would find .the light a (benefit. He then called for cheers for the club which were heartily given, after which Mvs Heiisniann turned on the (lights, which it up the whole of the green and with the many coloured lights around the pavilion, together with' the players and ladies, -the whole scene; presented a striking and gay spectacle. Garnet and competitions then commenced, the "La Bowla" and drawing competitions being well patronised, while ten rinks entered for the rinks championship of 7 heads, the final be g. fought out by rinks skipped by I an; tram (Terrace End), and Gaghard,

I fShannon), the latter winning. ' During the evening the proceeding, were enlivened by music supplied hy the Maori String Band, and was much appreciated. A ladies' committee had charge of the supper arrangements, and had a very busy time. Ihe even-, •ing was one of the most sociable and enjoyable ever held in Shannon and those present will look back wnlh pleasure to the official turning -on ol ■,thp lights on the Shannon howling green. -'• \t the conclusion Mr T. T. Bovis (president), on '(behalf of the Uub, thanked.-Mr Meddings, of the Power Board's staff for attending ito the illuminations, the Maori String Band for supplying the music, and the publie for their patronage. _ Following are the scores in the rmk

championship:— First Round: Tantrum* (Takaro 0 y. Davidson (Terrace End) 5; Bovrs ■ (Shannon) 6 v. Gagliardi (Shannon) 10 Gunning (Shannon) 6 v. Carr (Shannon) 2; Knowles (Shannon) 6 v. Murray (Shannon) 5; Hosio. (Levm) v. B. Spencer (Shannon) no card handed in; Hosie Avon. Second round—Gagliardi 9 v. Gunning 8; Tantrum 7 v. Knowles 5; Hosie a byeThird round: Tantrum 6 v. Hosie .-.: Gagliardi a bye. Final: Gagliardi 11 v. Tantrum 2.