NEW ZEALAND BOWLERS.

Shannon News, 17 August 1928, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND BOWLERS.

'• 2 » ' CfET THE GLAD HAND IN IRELAND. Copies of Irish newspapers to hand by this week's mail show taat :n both Northern and Southern Ireland the New Zealand bowlers had a cordial and enthusiastic reception. Following are extracts from the Dublin Independent and Belfast Telegraph:— Wonderful Players.

The match at Kenilworth on Friday and yesterday's match at Clontarf places the New Zealand team in the front rank of bowlers. Some of their skips, indeed, seemed to be able to do almost anything with their woods yesterday afternoon, as they time after time brought off what appeared to be impossible shots. Their team work was a revelation to the spectators, and was frequently applauded. Looked at as a whole, they are undoubtedly the best touring team that has ever visited Dublin. Socially they are of the best type of sportsmen. T'l We'll Eat You!" 'The Maori war song was rendered by the visitors, and its meaning, when translated, may be guessed when the refrain is quoted: — "We'll eat you, if we don't beat

you." Happily, the alternative of providing a piece de resistance of a feast had not to be adopted, and. our home players are spared to play many more games. The play in each rink may best be learned by reference to the scores given below. To lose such a match by 35 shots is not, therefore, an unmixed disaster, as it will doubtless spur the weak rinks to persevere in the endeavour to bring their play up to firstclass form.

Apart from the scoring, the match was thoroughly enjoyed by both teams, and at its conclusion much complimen-. tary cheering was indulged in. The Good Cheer.

. The entertainment programme was in accordance with the traditions of Dublin hospitality. During the early hours of - the day the visitors were driven to various places of seenic beauty in the outlying districts, and , a tour of the city gave them an excellent view of its principal architectural and other features.

; The Clontarf Golf Club generously placed the clubhouse at the disposal of the League Committee, and gave invaluable and much appreciated assistance in providing for the ereature comforts of a large gathering. Later in the evening a much enjoyed smoke concert was held in the elubhouse. "Gem of the Sea."

Mr J. W. Harley,' president of the New Zealand team, responding to- a toast said they had travelled many thousands of miles to visit that "gem of the sea, that garden of the earth, Ireland." He assured their hosts that the New Zealand reciprocated all the good wishes that had been expressed,, particularly the kind remarks of President Cos'grave in the souvenir book-,. let given to them. New Zealanders, were t>roud of their descent from the people of Great Britain and Ireland. In Belfast.

The New Zealand bowlers, at present touring Ireland, were the guests of honour at a civic luncheon given by the Lord Mayor of Belfast (Right Hon. W. J. Turner, D.L.) in the City Hall.

On their arrival the visitors were welcomed by the Lord Mayor, the Lady Mayoress, and, the City Chamberlain (Sir Frederick Moneypenny, C.Y.0.), and were much impressed with the cordiality of their reception, and with the striking beauty of the Hall, which never looked "to more pleasing advantage. Choice plants from the municipal conservatories were distributed throughout the corridors', and the thick crimson carpet on the stairs was a- radiant contrast to the* white outline of the marble interior. The luncheon table was adorned with artistic foresight, and special prominence was given to the fern of New 'Zealand and to the native bird— -the : kiwi. A set of bowls with the jaek also had a place in the scheme of decoration. Many Ties In Common. Proposing the toast of "The Visitors," the Lord Mayor said he was delighted to have the opportunity of welcoming their New Zealand friends to the City of Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. {Applause.) New Zealand and Northern Ireland had many ties in common —ties of sentiment and of interest. (Applause.) First of all, there was the intense lovalty of the people of New Zealand to" the Motherland. That portion of -he Emerald N lsle had long been known as the Imperial Province, and it was always gratifying to them, to extend the right hand of fellowship to their • kith and kin from across the seas, who were devoted to the great Empire which had its heart in London, and arteries connecting it with the uttermost ends of the earth. (Applause.)

The bonds that united them were strengthened by the recollection that that distinguished Ulsterman, Lord Ranfurly, who was, happily, still with them, was Governor of New Zealand from 1897 till 1904, and that their great Prime Minister, the late William Ferguson Massey, was an Ulsterman who played an outstanding part in the counsels of. the Empire in the darkest and yet most glorious period of its history. (Applause.)