BOWLING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 6 February 1915, Page 2

BOWLING.

UNIQUE ANQ INTERESTING GATH.

ERINC,

ELDERLY BOWLERS’ DAY

The Dunedin Bulling Club’s Green presented a gala appearance last Saturday afternoon on the occasion of one of the most interesting gatherings in the history of bowling south of the line (reports the Otago Daily Times). On the gate in Cumberland street was displayed the greeting “Welcome.” The spacious pavilion and the walls surrounding the green were gaily decorated with liberty muslin in the Club’s colors, blue and gold, with a crown and “CI.R.” inscribed thereon. On the eastern wall, conspicuously displayed, were painted screens bearing the words “As the years go past may friendship last,” and “Should auld acquaintance be for. got,” while on the northern wall was another decorated screen with the words. “Welcome to our Green.” The occasion was a gathering of elderly bowlers over 6.5 years of age. Many were veteran bowlers, while others were comparatively young at the game. Representatives were present, and took part in th game, from every club in the Dunedin Centre, also from Milton, Lawrence, Palmerston, and Wellington. Twelve links on each side took part, or in all 96 players. The visitors having arrived on time they were welcomed by Mr W. Emery, president of flip Dunedin Club, who said:—■

“Ladies and Gentlemen, —We are pleased to see such a large assembly here to.day, and, on behalf of 'i e members of the Dunedin Chib, 1 give you a cordial welcome. The game which is to be played to-day is known as the elderly bowlers’ game. I used to be under the impression ’hat bowling was entirely an old man s game, but, on becoming a bowler myself four years ago, T found that there were a number of young men who made the pace too strenuous for me with tournaments, club ties, interclub matches, etc., so that I am now glad to play a friendly game with the older men, and to hear of other games played many years ago. The outward conditions of howling have changed with the times, as everything must—there is no progress without change—but' the game itse-f still keeps that quality of kindliness and good-feeling which lias marked it from the first. lam sure that the old members of this club recall its early days with very great pleasure. I believe to-day’s game is unique in the history of bowling, a.s no player should be under 65 years of age—l am the only exception to this nle, and my age is exactly 64 years 10 months and 25 day’s. One much esteemed veteran, a member of our club since its inception, is in his 89tli year, and there will be no rink whose aggregate is less than 260 years, while the combined ages of one rink in the Dunedin Club exceed 330 years. We are indebted for the idea to our respected vice-president (Mr Mercer), who has worked unceasingly to make to-day’s function enjoyable. 1 feel sure that he is pleased with the success of his efforts, and I take this opportunity of thanking Mr Mercer for the trouble he has taken. So this, then, is the elderly bowlers’ day, a day to renew and cement friendships, a day for auld lang syne, a day to bring to mind many other happy days spent on the bowling green. Let us hope that the fragrant and pleasant recollections conjured up by’ this game will live in our memories for many days to come.” Every detail in connection with the function having been carefully attended to by Mr Mercer, and the rinks drawn, the veterans were soon in their places, and play was commenced in a most interesting game in which the players took a very keen interest. The centre of attraction was the rink with the highest aggregate number of years of age, which represented the Dunedin Club. It consisted of Messrs T. Morris, E. Holmes, 11. M'Diarmid, and .Limes Gilmour, with an aggregate of 331 years. The parent club could have put forward a rink with an even higher aggregate, but the players named have been connected with the club for many years. Mr A. M‘Diamid, who is in his 89th year, joined the club very shortly after its inception. Mr Holmes (the, donor of the Holmes’ Feathers) has been connected with bowling for over half a century’. The playing of the veterans evoked much enthusiastic applause, both Messrs M'Diarmid and Holmes drawing right up to “kitty” on repeated occasions. i

The rink of veterans who were at the gold rush at Gabriel’s Gully, with an aggregate of 308 years, comprised Messrs Wm. Henderson (Otago), M‘Hattie (Lawrence), S. X. Brown (Balmacewen), and John White (Dune, din), was drawn to play the veterans who had resided in Green Island district for over 30 years, Messrs J. .Mason, D. M‘Donald, C, Sanson, and John Blair, with an aggregate of 306 years. The playing of these veterans was keenly watched, the game being an evenly and closely contested one. Mr James Barr, of the St. Kilda Club, was the oldest native of Dunedin taking part, having been born at Little Paisley (now portion of the southern cemetery) in 1819. Mr William Watson, of the Outran) Club, was tlie longest resident in the province, having arrived in, the Philip Laing in 1848, and Mr H, C. Foster, of the Dunedin Club, made a good second, having arrived by the barque Mary in April, 1819. Mr Georgo Capstick. the representative of Cale-j (lonian Club, was the first secretary ( and one of the promoters of the Xewi Zealand Bowling Association, Mr F.!

Bastings, ot : Milton, one of tlic promoters of the Milton Bowling Club (the second club formed in tin; province) and Mr Tlios. Moodic, one of the first secretaries of the Dunedin Club, were also amongst the players. The aggregate ages of the 96 players totalled 6700 years, almost an average of 70 years. Forty-seven of the players were over 70 years of age, six being in their 79th year, and five over 80 two of whom were in their 89th year.

The proceedings were enlivened by popular and appropriate music played by Flint’s orchestra. As it a a.soon discovered that many ol the spectators—some of them veterans of the game—were the possessors of good voices, an impromptu choir was arranged, and, under the leadership of Mr I). Cooke, rendered in good style “The Boys of the Old Brigade,” “Tipperary,” etc. Piper M'Callum was present, and rendered acceptable assistance, the stirring strains of the pipes inducing many of the veterans to engage in a few turns of a reel, while one or two others showed that they could still dance a Highland fling with grace and astonishing agility. There was a great turn out of ladies and visitors, and the lady friends of the Dunedin Club, with their usual hospitality,' headed by Misses Emery and Mercer, provided abundance of efreshments for the players and visitors. There was a general expression of opinion that the gathering should become an annual event.