Celebrates 21st Birthday

Suva Bowling Club Celebrates 21st Birthday

By “Jack High”

THE Suva Bowling Club’s 21st birthday fell on July 10, 1946. The function was attended by a fully representa tive gathering. In the unavoidable ab sence of the Governor (Sir Alexander Grantham) His Honor the Chief Justice, Sir Claude Seton, was the principal speaker.

Mr. G. F. Grahame, the Club’s first president, also addressed the gathering and described the club’s early days.

Other speakers included the 1945-6 pre sident, Mr, R. W. Steward, and Mr. J. H.

Millett, a past president.

The birthday cake was cut by Lady Seton —twenty-one candles having been

previously extinguished by the Club’s vet eran member, Captain T. H. Lippitt.

Known to many bowlers in the South Pacific, the club’s greens, situated among gardens at the edge of Suva Harbour, must be among the most picturesque in the world.

On December 22, 1924, a general meet ing of members decided to authorise the issue of 40 loan-certificates of £5 each.

One certificate went to the late Mr. S. G.

Davey, on January 10, 1925, and later became the first trophy to be played for on the Club’s green.

The land on which the club’s first green was laid had been reclaimed in 1924. Before that, the sea reached a point close to the present entrance to the club’s grounds. The green was opened by the late Sir Eyre Hutson, on July 11, 1925; and on that day the club came offi cially into existence. Mr. G. F. Grahame was first president and Mr. W. M. Cald well was secretary. The foundation mem bers numbered 86, about 30 of whom are living in Fiji to-day. All the members of the 1927 committee were foundation members.

The greens of the Suva Bowling Club, situated among tropical gardens on the edge of the lagoon, are among the most beautiful in the world.

The Club celebrated its 21st birthday on July 10, 1946. The photograph shows Lady Seton, wife of the Chief Justice of Fiji, cutting the birthday cake. A description of the ceremony is published below.