BOWLERS’ NEW HOME

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

BOWLERS’ NEW HOME

MOUNT EDEN OPENING The official opening of the Mount Eden Bowling Club’s new greens was held before a large crowd at the Nicholson Park on Saturday afternoon. The greens, which front Epsom Avenue, with the Training College near by, were in excellent condition. Though as yet, there is no pavilion, one is to be' built costing in the vicinity of £3,000. In welcoming members and visitors, the president, Mr. J. Findlay, briefly traced the history of the club. The first meeting to consider its formation at Mount Eden was in May, 1896, when Mr. J. J. Holland, who was then Mayor of Auckland, presidend. After more than 30 years of the old greens the club had decided to sell out and open the beautiful new greens where they stood today. Three of the old members who were present on Saturday and had proved their ability as bowlers at various times were Me-ssrs. D. Ferguson, H. O. Brown and S. Grey, the president continued. He referred to the fact that the tender for the pavilion for the old grounds in the nineties had been £4O in comparison with the £3,000 which would be spent in erecting one on the present site. There was accommodation for 20 rinks at the present site, which could absorb about 160 players. He referred to the fact that an old member of the club, Mr. Oliver Nicholson, who had presented a flag to the club in 1906, following his gift with a flagstaff, had given another club flag which he would unfurl. In (Conclusion, the president thanked all those from the secretary downward who had contributed so materially by their efforts to put the new greens in order, and to the ladies of the croquet club who had lent their pavilion for the bowlers’ use for the afternoon. Mr. E. H. Potter, Mayor of Mount Eden, also spoke, congratulating the club on its new home and stating his opinion that it would be a valuable addition to the attractions of Mount Eden. Mr. J. Thomson, representative of the Auckland Bowling Centre, in a humorous speech, assured members of the support of the Centre. Musical items were given by the Mount Eden Boys’ Band, after which the new club flag was unfurled by Mr. O. Nicholson amid cheers. The first jack was rolled up by Mrs. J. Findlay, the president’s wife.