AUSTRALIAN BOWLERS.

Shannon News, 14 December 1928, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN BOWLERS.

TO BE THE GUESTS OP THE OTAKI BOWLING CLUB. Early in January about one hundred bowlers from Australia, accompanied by some forty ladies, are expected to visit Otaki as guests of the Otaki Bowling Club. On Saturday night Messrs S. M. Stone (President of the Dominion Council), Marcus Marks (President of the Wellington Bowling Centre), Harry Meyer, E. J. Hill, and James Kershaw (Treasurer of Dominion Council) arrived in Otaki, and later met Messrs J. P. Brandon, White Scott, H. J. Palmer, A. Satherley, D. H. Wilmot, and H. Nicolson, (members of the Otaki Bowling Club's committee) and discussed matters relative to the visit. Mr. Stone, after thanking the Otaki Club for extending an invitation for the Australians to visit Otaki, said it was the Council’s desire that arrangements be 'left to the Otaki Club, who, no .doubt, would be able to secure the Otaki Maori Racing Club's building for entertaining purposes. In all it was expected that luncheon would have to be provided for about 200 persons. The buildings could be decorated for the occasion, and fitting welcome arranged for at about 11.30, when he trusted that Maoris would give a haka which, he thought, would delight the overseas visitors. After lunch the visitors could be motored round the district and shown places of interest, /especially the historic Maori Church, hospital, Sanatorium, and other places, while some would probably like to indulge in bowls. It was hoped that the trip to or from Otaki be made over the Akatarawa road when,, no doubt, the beautiful scenery would appeal to the visitors. The return journey would be made about 5.30. It was the Dominion Councils desire that the day be in the form of a picnic and luncheon prepared accordingly, and Mr. Stone considered that if all arrangements were left to fhe Otaki committee they would be well and faithfully attended to. Mr. Marks emphasised the fact that it would'be a wise thing to have a band of Natives to give a welcome. • It was the Council's intention to wait on Mr. Wills, the Principal of the Native College, and ask that he make arrangements for this.

Air. Hill spoke in a similar strain, and thought that a welcome by Natives would be thoroughly appreciated by the Australians.

.At this stage members of the' Council left to interview Mr. Wills and returned satisfied that arrangements would be made for a fitting welcome by the Natives. In the meantime the members of the Otaki Committee had a korero and on the return of the Wellingtonians it was suggested that the matter of catering be left to a firm of caterers. The Otaki members promised to do, their utmost in the matter and make local arrangements. Mr." Stone expressed his appreciation for the offer of the Otaki committee and said that he, felt sure the visit of the Australians to the town would be a most enjoyable one, and one that the tourists would always be able to look back to with pleasure. Mr. Wilmot, as secretary of the local Club, extended a hearty invitation to members of the Dominion Council to visit Otaki during the season and indulge in bowls. The invitation was accepted, and regret expressed that the club had seen fit last season to sever from Wellington Centre for the purpose of joining Manawatu.