BOWLING AND CROQUET SEASON OPENS.

Shannon News, 15 October 1929, Page 3

BOWLING AND CROQUET SEASON OPENS.

Glorious weather prevailed for the official opening of the Shannon Bonding and Croquet season on Saturday afternoon. There was a goed attendance of bowlers, croquet players and their friends, rinks being present from the Palmerston North, Northern and Terrace End clubs of Palmerston North, also from Levin and Foxton, while the Manakau, Foxton and Levin Croquet Clubs were also represented. The greens were in splendid order for the beginning of the season and a most enjoyable afternoon was spent by oil. During the afternoon the ladies provided refreshments which were much appreciated. In opening the Croquet Club’s season, Mr J. T. Bo vis, on behalf of the president (Mrs Bovis)' extended a hearty welcome to the large number of visitors and new members and expressed the hope that they would have aii enjoyable afternoon. He thanked the greenkeeper for his good work in preparing the green, Mr and Mrs Snell - ing, Mr and Mrs A„ Mason and Mrs C. C. Franks for marking the greens and those members who had assisted in other ways. In commenting on /‘the prospects for the season, which he .said were particularly good, said he hoped that the Bowling Club would do something towards improving the Croquet pavilion, a remark which brought forth applause from the ladies. In conclusion he wished member., a successful season, also conveying to the president and members of the Shannon Bowling Club their good wishes for a prosperous year. In the absence of the Mayoress (Mrs E. Butt), Mr A,. Blackwood, on her behalf, presented to the Croquet Club a beautiful silver cup to be competed for.

In accepting the trophy Mr Bovis expressed regret at Mrs Butt’s inability to be present and he asked Mr Blackwood to convey to the Mayoress the Club’s gratitude for the beautiful donation add to assure her that' the cup will be treasured and keenly competed for. He then called; on Mrs Bovis to drive the first ball, after which he declared the season open. The president of the Bowling Club, Mr A. Blackwood, on behalf of the Club, gave a. hearty welcome to the visitors, expressing the wish that they would! spend a pleasant afternoon. He said it was gratifying that they had such a large number of new members this season, and it was particularly pleasing to see several of them on the green that day. Continuing, he said he was pleased to see Mr W. H. Gunning with them again after his long illness; this remark being heartily endorsed by all. He stated tjiat Mr Gunning was one of the pioneers of the Club and he had always taken a great interest in its welfare and as a member of the Ground Committee had rendered invaluable service; for which he was plealsed to say the Club had made, him a life member. After wishing the members a prosperous season he called on Mr T. Hensman, one of the oldest members of the Club to roll up the “Kitty,” after which Mrs Blackwood played the first ball, “Kissing the Kitty,” then declaring the season open.Play on both greens was then commenced, there being twelve bowling rinks engaged, while the croquet green f was fully* occupied -with competitions, the' latter being Avon as follows: —Angles, Mrs Perreau (Foxton) Hurry Scurry, Mrs A. Mason and Mrs K. Mitchell; golf croquet, Mrs Long-Ward. The following are the boAvling results: —

Northern —Killiek, Moore, ThurloAA - , Teale (s), 24 v. Shannon —G. Hook, Baxter, C. Hook, G. Quarrie (s), 17. Terrace End —Lichfield, Madden, O’Shea, Davidson (c) 15 v. Shannon— Grey, Hensman, Roach, Jones (s), 18. Levin —King, Smaill, Clements, Suhan (s) 17 v. Palmerston North —Bennett, Crouch, Gooding, Jones (s) 11. Levin—Radford, Brown, Hawke, Sherwood (s) 25 v. Butt, Doavucs, Bov is, BlackAVOod (s) 11. Foxton —Warwick, HoAve, Robinson, Hayes (s) 27 v. Shannon —Hudson, Franks, Brainn, Whibley (s) 15. Foxton —McGill, Reay, Walker, Woods (s) 30 v. Shannon —Mark, Aim KnoAvles, Morgan (s) 31.