SUMMER SPORTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 264, 5 October 1933, Page 2

SUMMER SPORTS

TAKARO CLUB OPENS SEASON. BIG ATTENDANCE OF ENTHUSIASTS. Anxious to enter upon another season of summer activity, the members of the Takaro Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club, together with a large number of bowlers from the Woodville, Bulls, Shannon, Dannevirke, Feilding, Oroua, Foxton and'the city clubs, attended at the club’s greens yesterday for the official launching of the 1933-34 season. While the club was not favoured with a repetition of Tuesday’s glorious sunshine, the day was quite propitious and the grounds and pavilion looked very bright with bunting flying from the flag poles and strung as streamers along the dividing fences. Addressing the gathering, the club’s president (Mr A. Cooksley) stated that it gave him considerable pleasure to extend a welcome at the entry upon the 11th year of activity, and it was equally pleasing that the weather and the greens should be in keeping with the importance of the occasion. He had to tender apologies on behalf of Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., the centre president, who had been detained in Wellington; Mr R. Tanner, the club’s patron; Councillors H. B. Free and R. L. C. Aitchison and others who had been prevented from attending. The president, prior to calling upon the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) to declare the season open, paid a tribute to the generous response which had always been accorded the club’s requests by the City Council. Mr Mansford returned thanks to the club for the invitation to be present which had been extended to his fellow councillors and to Mrs Mansford, and for the honour the club and again accorded him by asking him to open the season once again. It was very gratifying to him, as Mayor, to witness the progress and development which had been attained by the club. It had been made possible by the enthusiasm of the members and the vast amount of work which had been performed by Mr Cooksley. That the president’s efforts had been appreciated by the members was reflected in the fact that Mr Cooksley had filled the office for six of the 10 the club had been in existence, and was now entering upon his seventh. In. acknowledging the tribute which had been paid the council, the Mayor assured the members that the council would be always pleased to co-operate with the club so long as it was within its financial ability. There had been a vast improvement in the financial conditions since last opening day and he sincerely hoped that we would continue to make progress until it became possible to absorb into work gll those at present unemployed. However, there was one point which was apt to be overlooked when rounding the corner—he would not say that they were already round the corner —■ and that was the monetary system of the world. In the game of howls there would be plenty of complaint should the bias of the bowls be continually altering, while there would be protests in tennis and croquet should the size of the racquets or-'the hoops be subjected to alteration. The value of the pound sterling was continually altering and, if there was ground for complaint at alterations in the game of sport, surely there was greater ground for protest where the game of life was concerned. Some people had maintained that ,it was impossible to control the position, but lie could not agree with that attitude, and he sincerely hoped that some attempt would be made by the legislators to effect an improvement. The Mayor took the opportunity to introduce to the gathering Miss Nathan, the Sports Queen, and solicited the support of those present on her behalf. Mr Mansford then declared the season open and called upon ■Mrs Cooksley to throw down the first jack and to deliver the first bowl, which was accomplished amidst applause.