AUCKLAND AT HOME

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 847, 16 December 1929, Page 7

AUCKLAND AT HOME

OPENING OF NEW GREEN BRILLIANT FUNCTION Unusual interest was attached to the President’s At Home held at the Auckland Bowling Club on Saturday, the annual function coinciding with the opening of the club's new’ green which was recently formed on the slopes of the Domain. The beautifully laid-out grounds were ablaze with colour. In addition to the bunting draping the buildings, brightly-coloured beach awnings were placed throughout the grounds, and with the variegated blazers of the players and the summer attire of the club's guests, a gay and attractive scene was presented. A programme of music was also provided. Mr. E. A. Craig, president of the club, after extending a welcome to the visitors, referred to the club’s very interesting history. He said the club was formed in 1861 and for ten years it was the only club in New Zealand. At that time there were a few clubs in Australia, but they were more or less attached to the public houses. .In 1872 a club was formed in Otago, and in 1885 New Plymouth followed suit. Thirty-two years elapsed after the formation of the Auckland club before the Ponsonby and Newmarket (now Carlton) clubs were formed, said Mr. Craig. The club therefore claimed that it was the oldest recognised club in the Southern Hemisphere. In those days the club grounds were set almost in the midst of a raupo swamp and it cost £1,700 to put the grounds in order. Up till 1884 the club only possessed a lease of the ground, but thanks to the efforts of Sir Edwin Mitchelson, who was actingPrime Minister at that time, a title was obtained. Mr. Craig referred to the presence of Sir Edwin at the function that day and the sympathy he had always shown toward the game. The president also referred to the valuable service rendered by Mr. James Carlaw and Mr. G. Osborne, who had been responsible for much of the work put into the formation of the new green. The green looked very well, said the president, and if it played as well as it looked the club would be quite satisfied. He also referred to the space available for spectators and hoped that the day would not be far distant when the Dominion finals were played on it. Mr. Craig also took the opportunity of congratulating Mr. de Launay, an associate member of the club, on winning the Dominion singles championship, and concluded by again wishing a hearty welcome to the many representatives from the various clubs. The opportunity -was also taken by Mr. A. J. Parker, a member of the New Zealand team that toured Great Britain, of presenting to the president a shield made up of the badges of the bowling clubs that had been visited on that tour. Mr. S. Coldicutt, president of the Auckland Bowling Centre, brought with him the greetings of the Centre, and on behalf of the other 45 clubs in Auckland wished the pioneer club every success in the future. He also referred to the fact that Mr. Craig had been elected president for the second time. “For a club of Auckland’s standing this was a great honour,” said Mr. Coldicutt. Mr. J. Hardley, past president of the Dominion Bowling Association, said the function that day was one of the most brilliant that he had ever attended. On behalf of the 16,000 bowlers in New Zealand he wished the Auckland Club a prosperous and very succesful season. Mrs. Craig threw the first jack and amid cheers the new eastern green was declared officially opened. Games were then arranged and a very enjoyable afternoon’s sport was obtained.