THE BOWLING SEASON.

Shannon News, 9 October 1928, Page 3

THE BOWLING SEASON.

OPENING OF LEVIN CLUB'S

GREEN. In fixing its seasonal opening for Saturdav last, the Levin Bowling Club took a "weather risk, hut the conditions proved quite "favourable for the ceremony, which was carried out in the presence of a large gathering, composed of members of the club, ladies, and visitors from other ehibs in the district. The green has been exeellentlv cared for, and shows no signs of the drought that was experienced in the autumn. Consequent upon the recent rains, it was a little on the holding side, but it had been well rolled and the games that took place for thefirst time this season were quite satisfactory and a source of much enjoyment.

The President, Mr J. D. Brown, on behalf of the. club extended a very heartv welcome to the visitors who 'taking part in the opening. liealso wished to welcome the Mayor of Levin (Mr T. Hobson). The members were always pleased to see His Worship, because if at any time they became "hard up," they could easily go to the Borough Council for a donation. The President also gave a hearty welcome to the ladies, and remarked that without them lie did not think there would be any bowlers. He was glad to receive into the club the new members, and hoped that they would always uphold its prestige and. if anything, improve it. He regretted that some members were unable to be present on this occasion on account of sickness . To them the club extended its sympathy. He was very sorry tO have'to report the resignations of two esteemed members. Mr W. J. Kirk, who was one of the oldest members, was retiring from the green owing to ill-health, and this was the only, reason that would cause him to take, such a step. His memory would be perpetuated in the club by members playing for the Kirk Ferns th.roughout_t.he years to come. The other gentleman who was resigning was Mr C. T. Gayne, a young member but a very enthusiastic one. The speaker was very sorry that Mr Gayne was compelled to withdraw, which he was doing not on account of ill-health, but because he was going farming. They always sympathised with farmers.

"The game, of bowls," Mr Brown added, "is one of the finest, you can play. If a man has business worries, he does not require to go to a doctor if he is a bowler; he can have a rollup on the green, forget his troubles, and go back to business'a refreshed and cured man. The good-fellowship that goes hand-in-hand with the game of bowls would cure 'flu' or any other trouble. The bowling green is an asset to the town. Strangers come to Levin, and say, 'I wonder if it is a fit place to live' in?' They come down here, and then they say 'Ah, yes—a good green, it is not a bad place for a man to squat in for a time.' Moreover, it was a good thing for the town, and worthy of the support of the Mayor and Councillors." s

With regard to daylight saving, of which half an hour is provided by the latest Bill, the President said that he had been a farmer all his life, and his sympathy went out to the farming community first. The whole population was dependent on the fai-mers, who sent out 00 per cent., of the exports. If the men on the land were not prospering, then neither the bowling clubs not any other clubs would prosper. Although* the full measure if one hour's daylight saving had not been re-enact-ed for the coming season, bowlers could be consoled by the thought that the farmers wore benefiting by the difference.

It was announced by the President that Mr Gayne had offered a trophy for competition among the members, and the club was very thankful to him for his kindly thought. The trophy would be to the Levin club a memento of its pleasant associations with Mr Gayne during the days he had spent on the local green. The ceremonial of throwing up the jack was performed by Mrs Brown, wife of the president, followed by the delivery of the first bowl, Avhich was rolled by Mr Kirk. When the applause had subsided—for both actions had .been carried out to a nicety—the President declared the green open for play, and added that he hoped all the players would enjoy themselves, anil be for •tie day like schoolboys. Games then took place against representatives of the Northern, Shannon, Foxton, Otaki and Terrace End clubs, and between local players. Afternoon tea was provided by the ladies' committee. TRIANGULAR SHIELD CONDITIONS OTAKI TO BE INCLUDED. A meeting of delegates from the four district club's was held during the afternoon to consider altering the Triangular Shield conditions so las to add 'the Otaki Club to those previously eligible to compete —Levin, Shannon and Foxton. This course was agreed to, and the competition, which is a Wednesday one, played fortnightly, will commence about the middle of November. There will be four matches, to be played at Foxton, Levin, Otaki and Shannon, in that order. The- home team will supply three rinks in each case and the other clubs will send one rink each. With regard to the Pennant competition proposed by the Manawatu Centre for the coming season, it was decided that the four clubs refrain from taking part, owing to the difficulty of providing the necessary rinks and at the rfame time maintaining existing arrangements for competitions as well as friendly matches. <