BOWLING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3019, 16 October 1908, Page 5

BOWLING.

OPENING OF THE SEASON AT MASTERTON. AN AUSPICIOUS INAUGURATION. There was a bright scene on the Masterton Bowling Club's green yesterday, when the season was form ally opened. Special arrangements had been made to accommodate the large number of bowling enthusiasts who were expected to celebrate the occasion, and when play was in full swing upwards of seventy local and visiting players were busy in "drawing the shot," or otherwise striving for the advantage. About twenty members of the Carterton and Greytown Clubs were present. In addition to the bowlers, there was a big attendance of ladies, quite a hundred being present, and the pretty spring costumes worn, the fresh and verdant surroundings, and the very choice bowling weather conditions, combined to make a pretty picture. The President (Mr J. M. Coradine) made a short speech prior to play being commenced. He stated that the Masterton Club were pleased to see so many South Wsirarapa bowlers present, and he expressed a hope that the whole company' of players would enjoy, not only the day's play, but the whole season's paly Mr Coradine then formally declared the season open. Mrs Coradine then threw down the "jack" on No. 4 rink, amid applause, and play commenced. Two teams had been selected, one by the President and the other by Messrs F. J. Dupre and E. J. Rose (Vice-Presidents), and on the play the latter won by 137 points to 118. Following are the detailed scores in the various rinks:— Hunter, Walsh. W. Prangell, Dupre (Vice-Presidents' team), 23, beat Feast, Chapman, McPhee, Coradine (President's team), 16. J. Smith, Greenwood, Prentice, Ewington (President), 20, beat Mutrie, Sphre, Carpenter, Scott (Vice-President), 15. Beale, Williams, Gooden, Udy (Vice-President), 25, beat Blackman, Cullen, Haughey, Townsenrl (President), 12. Wood, Whyte, E. J. Rose, Manning (Vice-President), 20, beat Finlayson, Haigh, Richards, Rigg (President), 13. Robinson, Hessey, Yates, Whyte (Vice-President), 22, beat Wilkes, Whelch, Booth, and C. King (President), 15. The old green only was used for playing purposes, and it played very well indeed for so early in the season. The grass has not yet attained maturity, but the caretaker, Mr W. H. Denby, spent considerable time in the preparation of the rink&, and the result was that universal comment of a favourable nature was heard. The new green, which was relaid last year, is coming on splendidly, and Mr Denby is confident that it will prove more popular with bfpwlers than even the old green by about January.

During the afternoon Mrs Coradine provided afternoon tea to players and spectators, the total number of persons present on the green being over two hundred. The afternoon's outing was greatly enjoyed by all, the energetic and popular secretary, Mr C. D. King, ably assisting the President and other officers to assure for visitors and members alike a pleasurable time. Bet'ore the visitors left for home, Mr Udy, of the Greytown Club, made a brief but cordial speech of thanks for the hospitality accorded to the visiting bowlers, his remarks being warmly applauded. The Masterton Club promises to have a most successful season again this year. Yesterday, Messrs A. W. Chapman, S. Inder, H. G. Greenwood and the Rev. Hodge were elected members.