BOWLING

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1921, Page 3

BOWLING

NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB. CLOSING OF THE GREEN. PAGE OF LOCAL HISTORY. The New Plymouth Bowling Club’s green In Brougham Street, which has been in use for the past thirty-five years, was closed for official play on Saturday, and the event recalls some interesting history of the club’s early period. The club was formed at a meeting nc’d in Cottier’s (Criterion) Hotel on March 10, 1885, at which there were present: Messrs. J. Paul, J. B. Roy, W. L. Newman, H. Weston, G. Newman, W. Wright, Ay. Humphries, C. King, R. B Roy, W. B. Bullen, N. King, T. Humphries, W. F. Downes, and Dr. O'Carroll. Mr. Paul was elected first president and Mr. Downes was appointed secretary. The club, which was one of the earliest in the Dominion has continued without Interruption. The/green was officially opened for play on November 3, 1885. The first match tho club played took place the same year against Auck-i land, being won by New Plymouth by 84 games; to 75. The first storey of the pavilion was) erected in 189 T, Mr. Paul donating a strip off land 12ft wide to make room for the building, j and his generosity to the club has been i marked by the memorial gates erected st the; entrance to the green. The closing of the present property was marked by a shcr'. ceremony k*. the conclusion of Saturday s play ir-. tbo Gilmour Cup competition. a number of speakers making reference te the old associations of the green ; and also tie reason for the acquisition of The . •»'.«}-.??ut of tho club (M-: /.. K. Smart\ •»< that the jr.si ce«pleted woula s-; ty-; !R S t offici?) game green. The spe">s- recounted some facts duuceminf the period ol’ the club. The first ■ me'tiny was he'd March. 1885,

in th? .J'. fTio, Hotel, when was to for*. •. The cost of constructing thegreen wrz .; 'ted at £220 at that «tage,

the playin'- being the first four ••laics of the pres' green, and these wore ?. ? !»yed on for many years. As showing condf-' tions at the "me of the formation cf the New Plymout* *'lub, Mr. Smart said thti, tte ciub’s neaie. ”elghbou' then <?as Auckland, and the firs/ ’•-.-j Alley played e. with the northeiT: a».n managed to wir th following ,”.4.. Wellington and Wanganui formed clubs "?he difference of conditions at the presfci-’ time was shown by tho tact that nearly every little village had its b:<wiing green.

Although the club was leaving its playing site, said Mr. Smart, the records of the early stages would still be preserved. By a large majority it had been decided iu iivor of purchasing the new site, and thero no doubt in the minds of most members that fnis was the right step. The present me.T.l>srahtp was about 120, and with the introduction of Saturday half-holiday almost a certainty, it would be seen that the number of players seeking a gaime on the one day would bo large. While the present green or ihree-parts of the season was In excellent condition, signs of wear would be noticed towards the latter part. If they were to have a green condition, it was essential that two greens be acquired. They had been, ahd still were, the parent club in Taranaki, but they would be falling behind if they stopped in tire present premises.

Mr. Smart said he knew that it was a wrench for some of the older players to part with the site. Not only Taranaki flayers, but also visiting bowlers had enjoyed the garnet and tournament finals on the green, and the situation hajl been an ideal one. He did not think, however, that they would take long to get ttejr new .property in good playing 1 condition. Mr. Smart then called on Mr. A. Goldwater, an old member and past president, who was elected to the club at its first annual meeting.

Mr. Goldwater said he had been partly inclined‘to the views of those who had fought to retain the old site. There were many who were reluctant to leave on account of its associations with the late Mr. James Paul, who gave a great deal of pleasure to those who were in the club in those days. With the exception of one or two, however, there was hardly an original member left, and viewing the question from both sides, he thought the club had been wise in making the change. They had to move along with the times, and they had to be prepared to enlarge the green. He therefore* thought that the annual meeting had done the right thing In deciding to procure another property. With the advent of the Saturday half-holi-day, the play which was now spread over two half days would be concentrated Into one day, and to avoid trouble more greens were necessary. The members had always been a very happy family m the past, and he believed that in their new position they would go on in exactly the same manner. As a past president he wished the club every success on the new green.

Mr. J. D. Sole, on behalf of the Taranaki Centre and clubs, said he was not going to condole with the New Plymouth Club on leaving its old associations, but would congratulate them on having taken the step towards procuring other premises. It was a pity that the green had to be closed, but the club had taken the only step which was open if they desired to retain their position in the bowling world In Taranaki. Mr. Sole expressed his best wishes for the future success and prosperity of the club In their new premises. After the green had been declared closed, visiting bowlers, on the call of Mr. Sole, gave three cheers for the New Plymouth Club. . GILMOUR CUP COMPETITION. SATURDAY’S MATCHES. The Gilmour Cup competition was continued on Saturday. Following are the results of the matches:— NEW PLYMOUTH A v. WEST END. On the New Plymouth green, the New Plymouth A team defeated West End 156—130. The rink scores are as follows, New Plymouth players being mentioned first:— Fraser. Gill, Dickson, Fookes (s) 19; v. Ferry, Smith, Lee, Billing (s) 29. Looney, Alexander, Plumtree, H. Smart (s) 21; v. Thomson, Bennett, Blackhall. Hurlstone (s) 26. Binnie, Skinner, Dempsey, Rolstoi/ (s) 25; v. Whitham, Gyde, McAllum, Sole (s) 18. Hoby, Weller, Drake, Jackson (s) 31; v. Sims, T. Sole, Putt, Barton (s) 11. McGlasl-an, W. Rundle, Hill, Smith (s) 30; v. Chaney, Goodacre, Brash, Oliver (s) 18. Brooking, Crocket, Roebuck, Luscombe. (s) 30; v. Styles, Ross, Petty, Honeyfield (s) 28. Totals,—New Plymouth 156; West End 130. FITZROY v. NEW PLYMOUTH B. On the Fitzroy green Fitzroy defeated New Plymouth B by two points, the totals being 97—95. Details are as under, Fitzroy rinks being mentioned first:— Walker, Martin, Brooker, Williams (s) 9; v. Knuckey, Robertshaw, O’Shea Crasswell (s) 26. Sole, Edgeworth, Dingle, Smith (s) 25; v. Mcllroy, Boon, Phillips, S. Rundle (s) 17. Gillespie. Vickers, Morey, Allan (s) 24 ; v. Dawson, Willis, McLeod, A. K. Smart (s) 17 Johnson, West, Hair, Higgs (s) 11; v. Cleaver, Beatson, Ingram, Wood (s) 27.’ Oxenham, Munro, Roberts, Beadle (s) 28; v. Webster, Furlong, Moore, Burgess (s) 8. Totals.—Fitzroy 97; New Plymouth 95. INGLEWOOD DEFEATS AVON. The Inglewood Club defeated the Avon Club on the Inglewood green on Thursday afternoon by 140 points to 99. Following ( are the results of each game, Inglewood skips being mentioned first in each case:— Spurdie 34 beat North 20; Bungay 18 lost to Betts 25; Morton 32 beat Morison 19; Allen 36 beat Rowe 10; Gudgeon 20 lost to Master* 25. Totals—lnglewood 140. Aron 99,