TOURING BOWLERS.

Shannon News, 27 March 1928, Page 3

TOURING BOWLERS.

NEW ZEALAND TEAM IN AUSTRALIA. RECEPTIONS IN FOUR STATES. Happy impressions gathered on the trip with the New Zealand team of bowlers who are on their way to the Old Country are contained in letters received by the Chronicle from Air. Al. J. Suliau, "of Levin. He states that the trip across to Sydney by the Ulimaroa was particularly smooth and no member of the party suffered from sickness. On arrival the president and other officers of the New South Wales Bowling Association gave the party a welcome on the wharf and provided cars to transfer the whole party abroad the Orvieto, then in Woolloomooloo Bay. The day was given over to sight-seeing around the city, and on the following day the visitors were taken to the Waverley bowling green, where the first match of the tour was played, New Zealand winning by a margin of 15 points. Their second match, which was against the City club .was more strenuous, the visitors winning by one point on the aggregate. After the match they were entertained at Sargent’s restaurant by the N.S.WC Bowling Association, The president (Mr. John'Scott) was in the chair, and a Cabinet Minister was present to say a few words of welcome. After,dinner, reserved seats were at the party’s disposal dt the Tivoli Theatre. On the Friday they commenced a match with the Alackervillc Bowling Club, but rain stopped play after 7 heads had been played, and the President entertained the team in the pavilion. Saturday was notable for a presentation to Air. and Mrs Scott by Air. Ilardley, manager of the New Zealand team, a coffee service being handed to Air. Scott and a beautiful bouquet *to Airs Scott. After a fine sea trip to Melbourne, a match was arranged with the Aliddle Park club, the visitors having to find nine'rinks, in order to complete which they picked up two New Zealanders to play as substitutes. They were defeated by 17 points on the aggregate. The president of the Victorian Bowling Association, Sir William Brunton, presided at the tea adjournment and welcomed the team on behalf of Victoria, the reply being made by Air. Ilardley. At Port Adelaide the party were met by members of the South Australian Bowling Association and taken to Adelaide. A reception took place in the South Australian Hotel at 11 a.m., the chair being taken by Air. Jacobs, who for 24 years has been preisdent of the association. A number of the visiting bowlers were taken in cars to Penfold’s wine cellars, where they sampled the stocks. Afterwards they visited the T. and G. Buildings, the highest in Adelaide, in order to view the city. VISIT TO FREAIANTLE. The boat sailed at 3 p.m. for Fremantle, from which port it was due to leave again at 4 p.m., but the commander generously agreed to extend the time of departure till 6 p.m., so as to enable the team to play a game against the West Australian Bowling Association. The- trip across the Great Australian Bight was one of the smoothest in the crew’s recollection, and the I bowlers were all in the- best of health.

Mr. W. J. Boisley/ of Fremantle, writing to the Chro'hicle under date February 28th, says:— “It was my pleasure to help in giv-

I i n g the New Zealand bowlers welcome to Fremantle yesterday. They arrived in beautiful weather, up to time, and I motored Mr. and Mrs Al. J. Suhan, of your town, up to Perth and to points of interest to visitors. I played sub. for New Zealand in Air. Peterson’s team, who is a very fine bowler. Air. Horton, of New Plymouth, who played third, is a class bowler; and Mr. Wilson (second) will make good, I am sure. Your bowlers had a royal time and a great send-off. All West Australian bowlers agree they are the finest sports they have met. In Mr. Hardley, manager of the team, we found one of the most forceful speakers we have had the pleasure of listening to. , I hope to meet the team in London, as I am leaving on ■ April lltli, and made it known to members.” CIVIC RECEPTION.

A Press report accompanying the letter states tlffit 22 motors, under the direction of Air. G. H. Olney, met the New Zealand party at 9 a.m., and Conveyed the visitors to Perth and all expressed their admiration for the natural beauty of the city’s environs. The Mayor of Fremantle (Air. F. E. Gibson) received the visitors at noon in the Council Chamber, and tendered them a cordial welcome to the most progressive of the Australian States. - His eloquent tributes to ■ the sister Dominion were supplemented by the Mayor of Perth (Air, J. T. Franklin), Councillors W. J. Sumpton and H. Hollis, the acting president of the W.A.B.A. (Air. G. 11. Olney), Air: G. Potter, M.L.C., and Mr. J. B. Sleeman, AI.L.A. In replying to the accompanying toasts, Air. J. W. Hardley, ex-president of the N.Z.8.C., expressed gratification at the presence of so many dignitaries, and the honour thus conferred on the team. They were all delighted with the scenic beauty witnessed that morning, and would carry away happy memories of the metropolis. The main object of the tour tvas to strengthen and tighten the bonds of Empire, and he was delighted at the ring of optimism in the speeches. After Air. H. Bolton had thanked the Mayor and Council for their hospitality, Air. Hardley decorated several officials with the badge that will be worn throughout the tour. 1 -

ASSOCIATION LUNCHEON. More than one hundred guests were entertained at luncheon in the Town Hall, under the presidency of Air G. H. Olney, who briefly referred to the importance of bowls in communal life. The game had not reached such proportions locally as in New Zealand, which boasted’ 304 clubs, with 17,000 constituent members, but the same fraternal spirit actuated them. He wished the tourists a happy and successful itinerary, and hoped to see a New Zealand team at the Centennial Carnival next year. In acknowledging the president’s happily expressed welcome, Air J. W. Hardley, supported by Air T. Rose (Christchurch), stated New Zealand boasted a greater proportion of bowlers per capita than any other part of the Empire. In fact, they represented the most influential and democratic organisation in the Dominion. Their watchword was sociability, hospitality and good-fellowship, and he cordially invited the association to send a team to New Zealand. The toast of the W.A.B.A. was re- _ sponded to by Mr J. Hammill, who re 1 ferred to the warm regard engendered by previous meetings between West Australian and Dominion bowlers at the Sydney and Melbourne A.B.C. carnivals.

Air L. Alexander proposed the health of the Mayors of Perth and Fremantle, to which Air J. T. Franklin responded.

THE AIATCII

The Fremantle green, where a ninerinks match was listed for 2 o’clock, looked a picture. Vivid verdancy, a wealth of bunting, and about 200 spectators gave it a gala day appearance, while its spaciousness was commented on by many of the visitors. The game revealed there were some fine exponents in the team, but tliei sea voyage and the fact that every man was included to fill places, discounted their combination and skill. In Dee, Carson, Parker, Pictersen, Thomson and Adiss the party possessed very efficient skippers, and’many of the place-men were experts in rink economy. Three rink victories were gained by local teams by a single point, and only two Dominion rinks failed to approximate their opponents’ scores. Ford, the State champion, was at his best, and Anderson played a wonderfully accurate game. Others who contributed to the succese of 9 their sides were Darcey, Galcutt, Hilton, Humphries and Hobbs. The rink scores were as follows (West Australian players being mentioned first in each case): — Robertson, Wilson, Hammill, Anderson 31 v. AlcKinnin, Eagleton, Grant, Hardley 16.

Ryan, Hobbs, llassey, Ford 30 v. Kirk, Rose, F. Hill, Doherty 11. Silverman, Tatham, Humphries,, Bignell 23 v. Campbell. Arey, Aloffatt, Car son 18.

Chambers, Hare, Hilton, Gustafson 21 v. Armstrong, Smith, Needham, Adiss 20.

AlcLean, Wynne, Ledger, Howe 21 v. Frame, Larimer,- Putt, Hutchinson 19. O’Neill, Rogerson, O’Dwyer, Cotterell 17, Hill, Sumpton, Thomson,, Thomson 16.

Ireland, Bolton, Calcutt, Stevens 17 v. Beisley, Wilson, Horton, Peterson 20. ■

Darcey, Atkinson, Trcnaman, Reynolds 18, v. Rogers, Sands, Coutt's, Dee 17.

Shepherd, Fieldgate, FI indell, Fountain 13 v. . Hardley, Alarker, Suhan, Parker 24.

Totals, W.A. 191, N.Z. 161

Proceedings were enlivened by the rendition of bowling ditties in the Maori tongue and representations of dances, which amused the spectators, and these were repeated under the direction of the choirmaster (Mr D. Eagleton), when a crowd of bowlers assembled on the wharf to wish “God, speed” to their departing guests'.