BOWLING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 38, 20 January 1916, Page 7

BOWLING.

VETERANS' DAY AT DUNEDIN

Reports the Otago Daily Times:— It is seldom that thor<. c?» be seen such a large gathering of elderly gentlemen as was assembled on the Dunodin Bowling Green on Saturday afternoon. Veterans and elderly howlers from all parts turned up in large numbers, and the green was taxed to its utmost, capacity. The pivilion was tastefully decorated with flags and liberty muslin with the club colors bine and gold. Painted rcrenes with the words "Heartiest wchnme to our green," "Should auld acquaintance be forgot," and "As. the years go past may friendships last." Rep resent atives were present from rvory club in the Dnnedin Centre, also from Milton. 1 Lawrence, Invereargill, and Onmaru. f:i al] 12 rinks nn each side took part, ( n total of 96 players, and the aggregate ages of these amounted to* 6724,1 or an average of 7fl years. Nine oi the plnvers wer- each over 80 years of age, while 38 of the players were over 70 years—ls of them over 75. Thi oldest player who took part was Mr •! • M'Hattie, from Lawrence, who formed one of the Gabriel's Gullv pioneers and who is in his eightv-eightli year. The Dnnedin Club's oldest member, Mr Angus M'Diarmid. who has passed his ninetieth year, did not take part in | the match, but watched the games with keen interest. Amongst the players were Mr P. L. Gilkion from Invereargill. one of the pres ; donts of the old New Zealand Howling Association; Mr Thomas Moodie, the first treasurer. and Mr George Capsticfc, the first secretary and one of the promoters of that association. The Milieu Bowling Chili the second club formed in the province—was represented by four of ■its founders- Messrs F. Bastings. G. Capstick, J. Lockhart, and W. Moore, I with an aggregate age of 288. Mr James Barr, of the St. Kilda Club, was the oldest native of Duncdin taking part, having been born at Little iPainsley 'now portion of the Southern 'Cemetery') in 1819. Mr H. C.'Foster, of the Duncdin Club, was the longest resident in the province, having arrived in the barque Mary in .1819. Mr I J. Blair, of Abbotsford, wa s a good! 'second, having arrived in the early fifties. I No special elderly rink wa s formed. The rink with the highest aggregate of ages, however, was that composed of Gabriel's Civilly pioneers—Messrs W. Henderson. .). M'Hattie, S. N. Brown, and John White, with an aggregate of 313 years. I The proceedings were enlivened by popular and appropriate music, played by Flint's Orchestra. The ladies of the Duncdin Club with their usual hospitality provided abundance of refreshments for the players and visit-

Before the closing of the play Mr W. -Moore, of the .Milton Chili, and Mr J. Flair, of the Green Island Club, on Iboh'alf of the visitors, thanked the president and the members of the Dunedin Club for the afternoon's enIjoyment..