BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1921, Page 3

BOWLING.

NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB. THE NEW GREENS. OFFICIAL OPENING DAY. An official opening ceremony to celebrate the completion of the new pavilion and the acquisition of new greens was held by the New Plymouth Bowling Club on Saturday. Summery weather prevailed, and the greens presented a pretty picture with well-kept lawns and flower beds, while the new building, which is finished in rough-cast with cream tint, set off the landscape. There was a large attendance of visiting bowlers and spectators, the latter including many ladies. The president of the club (Mr. C. H. Burgess) expressed pleasure at seeing so many present, and on behalf of the club he extended a hearty welcome to all. Mr. Burgess read apologies from the Pihama, Patea and Auroa Clubs, and from Mr. Nicholson, president of the Dominion Bowling Association. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., telegraphed regretting that he was unable to be present, and that duties in Wellington prevented the attendance of a Parliamentary rink. All bowlers joined in wishing the club a successful day. Continuing, Mr. Burgess reviewed the history of the New Plymouth Club. He said it was the first formed in Taranaki, and the inaugural meeting was held on March 10, 1885. The chairman, of that meeting was the late Mr. James Paul, who became the first president, and occupied the office on ten different occasions. He was also secretary and treasurer for several terms. The late Mr. Paul had been a keen and enthusiastic bowler, and in memory oi what he had done for the club, memorial gates had been erected at their former property in Brougham Street. Members would be glad to know that the tablet from the gates had been removed to the new property and erected in the pavilion. It would be a reminder of what they Mr. Paul (who was often spoken of as the father of bowling in Taranaki) and those associated with him. GROWTH OF THE CLUB. The club had started with a membership of fifty, and to-day the number was about 140 and constantly increasing. With the Saturday half-holiday looming in the distance those in charge of the club’s affairs had realised regretfully that the Brougham Street green was too small. All bowlers were aware of the progress the pastime had made in the Dominion in the past few years, and this was not noticeable anywhere more than in Taranaki. It was realised that the club would have to make a move or else lose the position they held in Taranaki as the parent club. All, however, had regretted leaving the old home, an ideal spot teeming with old associations. They now had room for sixteen rinks for their membership of 140, and had a section adjoining the property on which accommodation for another six rinks could be pro vided when necessary. The work in connection with the new greens had cost a good, round sum, but the proceeds from the Brougham Street property would enable the club to meet the cost and have something in hand. The pavilion was a bigger question; it was costing something like £l5OO, but the committee had been greatly helped by the act of one of the members in offering to lend tbe amount required in one sum. Thanks were due to the president for the last two years (Mr. A. K. Smart) and his committee; to Mr. Norman Johnson, for time given as green warden; and to Mr. Brooking, who had acted as clerk of works. The erection of the pavilion had been under the personal supervision of one of the club’s members, Mr. Alfred Boon. Mr. Burgess remarked on the fact that the success of a club depended largely on the secretary, and in Mr. C. Carter they had a worthy, zealous and painstaking

officer. The work had made very great calls on his time during the last two years, and the thanks of the club were especially due to Mr. Burgess reminded members that the club had taken a somewhat heavy burden, but it was not too heavy for the New Plymouth Club. All that was wanted was the hearty co-opera-tion of every member. Personally he did not think they had made the change over too soon, as delay might have wrecked the club, and they might have lost their position in Taranaki as the parent club. He believed that, without any feeling of rivalry, they should endeavor to keep that position. He wished all visiting bowlers a successful and enjoyable season and continued prosperity in their various clubs. He thanked them for the very generous response made to the New Plymouth Club’s invitation to be present that day, and he said it showed the fine spirit which existed'among all bowlers. He hoped that when any visiting bowlers were in New Plymouth they would make a visit to the greens, as the club had plenty of room now. ACQUISITION TO THE TOWN. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) said he was very pleased to join with the numerous other visitors in congratulating the club, and he did so firstly from the townsman’s point of view, because in the acquisition of the grounds the club had worked a wonderful improvement In that part of the town. The president of the Taranaki Bowling Centre (Mr. J. D. Sole) extended congratulations to the New Plymouth Club, and, referring to the change over from the Brougham Street greens, he desired to say that the regrets in leaving the old property were shared by every club in Taranaki. The New Plymouth Club, however, could not stand still. Mr. Sole referred to the growth of bowling , jn the Dominion, and remarked that in what might be termed the smaller centres Taranaki, with sixteen clubs, was third as regards size. With the addition of Patea this year, and the very large increase in the membership of the local clubs he hoped to see Taranaki assume second position shortly. Mr. Sole said bowlers tendered their hearty congratulations to the New Zealand rink which' won the tournament at Brighton, and he remarked that three of the rink were members of the New Plymouth Bowling Club. In concluding, Mr. Sole requested secretaries of clubs to give prompt replies to the centre's applications for particulars as to membership as required by the Dominion Bowling Association, and reminded them that the. centre had to pay affiliation fees before December 1. An exchange of cheers between the New Plymouth and visiting howlers took place at the conclusion of the ceremony, and the player;? were then photographed. The pavilion is an attractive concrete building, and possesses a club room in which many trophies and photographs are preserved. These are of value as connecting links of the early history of the club. In a recess in the room is erected the tablet in memory of the founder of the club, the late Mr. James Paul. The locker room contains 150 lockers, and provides ideal accommodation for players. In a wood and iron building, asbestos lined, the club has provided for tea rooms and kitchen. There was a constant stream of visitors to the green during the afternoon. Tea was served by a ladies’ committee under the supervision of Mrs. Burgess, and the workers had a busy time in the catering department. Mrs. Burgess was assisted in the management by Mesdames Collins, Neal, S. Burgess and Miss Sole. During the afternoon a programme of musical selections was rendered by Mrs. Woods’ orchestra, and greatly contributed to the enjoyment of visitors. THE DAY’S PLAY. The greens were in splendid condition for play, and elicited most favorable comments by the visitors, the caretaker deserving great credit for his skill and pains. Some very close and well-contested games were played, and a large number of the heads showed that the bowlers were in first-rate form. That the guests and hosts were well matched may be proved by the fact that when the last teams to finish (skipped by A. K. Smart and Lobb) had two heads to go the aggregate scores were 319 all. Smart then gained a single, and at. the final head, when the skips went down, Lobb lay three, but Smart’s first delivery was perfect, displacing the bowl near the! jack and touching. As Lobb failed to alter matters the game ended: Guests, 319; Hosts, 321. Following are the scores, the guests’ teams being mentioned first in each case: Brooking, Looney, E. Dingle, J. D. Sole (s) 19 v. Goldwater, Cock, Woollett, Burgess (s) 32. Hawkins, Blair, It. Ford, Fraser (s) 24 v. Cleaver, Valentine, C. Rundle, H. Fookes (s) 26. Adamaofi, Gorki 11, A. Bober Mon, W. Robert*

son (s) 38 v. Bacon, G. Grey, Morey. S. Rundle (s) 14. Griffiths, W. Healy, Marshall, F. W. Okey (s) 23 v. Hooper, A. Boon, Phillips, Luscombe (s) 29. McPhillips, Quin, C. Brunette, C. Curtis (s) 21 v. Binnle, W. Roberts, J. Drake, W. Smith, (s) 18. Moss, Hardy-Jones, Ching, J. North (s) 14. v. Furlong, Moore, McLeod, Firth (s> 27. Neilson, Julian. W. Lambie, Mason (s) 14 v: Gilmour, Bellringer, G. Jackson, Johnson, (s) 30. Okey, Brooker, F. Jackson, S. Smith (s) 20 Abram, T. Avery, H. Ward, H. Smart (s) A. Johnson, Esse, Allen. Spurdie (s) 26 v. Dickson, Dempsey, Washer, Abbott (s) 27. Sinclair, Hammond, Des Forges, Burton, (s) 21 v. Collins, Weller, Wood, Thomson IS. G. Carman, G. .Smart, J. S. Macdonald, Skoglund (s) 16 v. McGahey, E. Jackson, Ingram, T. J. Griffin (s) 23. Christoffel, Judd, Carter, Castle, (s) 35 v. Knuckey, Ewing; Lomas, Cresswelk (s) 14. A. T. Moore, L. Sampson, E, J. Hill, Foy (s) 23 v. J. Avery, F. Hooker, Thorpe, J R. Hill (s) 21. Honeyfleid, Townsiey, Billing, Lobb (s) 25 v Chaney, Ford, Perrin, A. K. Smart (s) 21. In the evening the New Plymouth Club held a very enjoyable social evening at Kawaroa Park. The function was organised in honor of the lady helpers, who had been ever willing to assist the bowlers by providing afternoon tea; also in other directions during the season. There was a large attendance of ladios and gentlemen. The greater part of the evening was devoted to cards, interspersed with various items contributed by a concert party whose selections were greatly appreciated. The party consisted of Messrs. Thomson, C. H Wyatt, C. Hili, H. Dempsey, A. B. Macdonald’ D. Morrison, B. Bellringer, F. er , p a tter1 sett »itd A. Vrale.