CROQUET NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 102, 4 May 1929, Page 19

CROQUET NOTES

(By "Peg.")

Croquet players arc still being catered for in a small measure besides having the various closing celebrations. Tlic past has been quite a full week, and where the lawns are in such good order members are finding it hard to realise, "no further play." Hutt Club. 'J'ho various clubs have indeed been fortunate in the weather for their closing functions, nearly all being arranged for days when there was beautiful sunshine, the only exception being the Hutt Club, and although it was a very bad afternoon on Monday the members made a jolly party ,of it. They have the added pleasure that they can still use the lawns for a time. The. president, Mrs. Eddie, presented the prizes as follow: A championship, Mrs. Bock; runner-up, Mrs. Hendry; B championship, Mrs. Brooks; runner-up, Mrs. Eddie; A handicap singles, Mrs. Hendry; runner-up, Mrs. Leigh ton; B handicap singles, Mrs. Eddie; runnerup, Mrs. Suteliffe; club handicap singles, Mrs. Suteliffe; runner-up, Mrs. Ayson; club pairs, Mrs. Holland and Mrs. Hendry; runners-up, Mrs. Leighton and Stonehouse. Special trophies were also reecived by Mrs. Wood and Miss Macaskill for improvement during the season. The club captain (Mrs. Bock) presented Mrs. Eddie with a beautiful Jacobean vase from the club members as a small token of appreciation for the great interest she has always taken in the affairs of the club during the three years that she has been president. Presentations were also made to the other officials of the club. The handsome trophies wero donated by Mesdames Johnson, Yates, Teagle, Jcnness, Ayson, Brooks, H. Weblcy, Bock, and Hendry, and Messrs. Eddie (2), and Eraser. The honorary members, who were present, were each presented with a pretty posy of flowers by Mrs. Teagle. Committees Entertained. On Monday last Mrs. P. Billing, president of the "Wellington Club, entertained the officers and committees at her home in Thompson street. ' Despite the boisterous weather conditions the guests had a most enjoyable afternoon. Cosy, fires and charming surroundings soon caused the weather to be forgotten, and all keenly contested the competition provided. Mrs. Riekard, secretary of the club, carried off the prize for bagatello and Mrs. Hendry and Mrs. Priddle the peanut scuffle, which caused a good deal of fun. Eastbourne Club. The Eastbourne Club which has been working so hard for funds towards the j new croquet green, seemed doomed to disappointment on Tuesday, but after Monday's almost incessant rain and a very unpromising morning it was almost miraculous the- way the weather changed and gave place to a wonderful afternoon. No doubt the unsettled morning deterred many from attending, but there was quite a representative crowd for the social afternoon, at which indoor competitions were held owing to the sodden state of the lawn.

The Kastbouru Bowling Club had generously lent their green and pavilion ami the balcony of the- latter was a truly delightful place on Tuesday. The guests were received by Mrs. 11. M. Jones, president, and Mrs. Pollock, secretary, among the- visitors b^ing Mrs. IT. Cook (Karori), who was especially welcomed. Apologies were received from Mrs. Austin and the Central Club, Pctone. The beautiful etchings and water colours, which have been donated by Wellington friends were on view and were much admired. The competitions were won by Mrs. Ramsay ' (Wellington), Mrs. Chambers (Hatai. tai), Mrs. Savage (Waimaric), and Mrs. Billing (Wellington); the- trophies being presented by the Mayoress, Mrs. Jones, who in her speech of welcome, said the old eyesore at the Borough Council grounds would soon be a delightful place, for the ladies had made up their minds to raise tho liccessa.ry money to make it so. As they hoped to havo a children's playground as well as a new full-sized" green, they were being well supported, and had already received several handsome donations. She trusted the croquet ladies would again respond when another social event was arranged. KlxandallaJi Club. As with many other clubs Khandallah's closing also had to bo a, farewell, and fooling reference was made by the president, Mrs. Nicholls, to tho fact that they would be without Mrs. Spenco in tho next season. They had all been proud of Mrs. Spence's success in the recent tournament, but, of course, their loss would be another club's gain. Mrs. Nichols also took tho opportunity to welcome back Mrs. Blyth, who has recently returned from a trip to England. All were very pleased indeed to have her with them again. The afternoon was devoted to competitions which were won by Mesdames J3lj*tli, Nichols, and Nalder. Afternoon tea was served in tho Bowling Pavilion, after which tho trophies won during tho past season were presented by the president, to Mrs. Spenco, championship cup (presented by Mrs. Blyth); Mrs. Robertson, "B" button and Mrs. Nichols's trophy; Mrs. Hotelier, runner-up. (Mrs. Nichol's

trophy); Mrs. Griffiths "C" grade (Mrs. Robertsou's trophy). On behalf of the members Mrs. Spence received a handsome brass cake stand as a parting gift, which all hoped would remind her or! happy games at Khandallah. The singing of "She's a Jolly ' Good Fellow" concluded ft most enjoyable day. Newtown Club. There was a big gathering for the official closing of the Newtown Club, and a full, entry for all the competitions. The "pack race" was a very popular event, and provided lots of fun for the onlookers, the winner being Mrs. Woodham. Hurry-scurry was won by Mesdames Powell -and Le Strange; peg, Miss Peterson; French, Mrs. llarlen; golf, Miss Mitcliinson; angles, Mrs. Press; "first year," Mrs. Abercrombie. The president (Miss Peterson) presented the trophies won during the past season, the winners being: Underwood Cup ("B" grade), Miss Petersen; runner-up, Mrs. Stephenson; Underwood brooch, Mrs. Harlen; "C" grade, Mrs. Le Straug. (Mr. Wylie's trophy); runner-up, Mrs. Powell; breaks, Mrs. Bobbins (Mrs. Eae;s trophy) and Miss M'Kenzie (Mrs. Cook's trophy); "one-hour games," Mrs. Le Strange (Mrs. Booth's trophy). Mrs. Wylie (vice-president) said she had been entrusted with a very happy task, and on behalf of members presented Miss Petersen (president) . and Mrs. Stephenson (captain) with dainty gifts as a token of their gratitude for the services of these ladies, who both gracefully responded. After the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" the afternoon and 1028-29 season closed with the National Anthem. Seatoun Club Entertained. The members of the Seatoun Club had a wonderful day recently when they were entertained by the Bowling Club. There was a full attendance of ladies, and the greatest interest, was taken in the bowling, at which they displayed much skill. Mr. Gardner, president, with Mrs. Gardner, welcomed the guests, and said he was glad to see so many had responded to the invitation. Fifteen heads were played, the winners being Mrs. M'Girr and Mrs. Robertson, who received handsome gifts of a fruit bowl and crystal vases. There was much fun and merriment during the afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon provided a delicious tea for close on one hundred guests, the tennis players also being included. The whole affair was an unqualified success, although so far there has been no mention, of any seceding from the croquet ranks to join the bowling section.' Karori Club. The Karori Club's closing function was very successful, the greens still being in good order and the competitions keenly contested. The pavilion and teatables were beautifully decorated in the club colours, the artistic blending of the purple and mauve being much admired. Dainty posies were presented to the president, Mrs. F. Dryden, and Mrs. 11. Cook, Mr. Burn receiving that for Mrs. Burn, who was indisposed. Councillor Burn, who is the club patron, congratulated the club on its continued success and prosperity, and then presented the trophies to the winners, as follow: —Ladies' championship (Lady Johnson's cup and Mr. Burn's trophy), j Mrs. Butcher; runner-up, Mrs. Leadbeater. Handicap singles (Mrs. A. Hamilton's vase and trophy), Mrs. Flint; runner-up, Mrs. Lewis. Yankee singles, A grade, Mrs. Flint; runnerup, Mrs. Leadbeater. Yankee singles, B grade, Mrs. Phillips; runner-up, Mrs. Burd. Handicap singles, junior grade (Mrs. Wallace's trophy), Mrs. I M'Go wan. Handicap doubles, Mcsdames Waters and Burd; runncrs-up, Mesdames Butcher and Dwycr. Mrs. Miller's trophy, intermediate grade, was won by Mrs. P. St. John Kcenau, and ! Mrs. Cook's trophy, for the highest break in the B grade, by Mrs. Phillips. Suitablo presentations were also made to Mrs. 1\ Dryden, Mrs. P. St. John Keenan, Mrs. Butcher, and Mrs. Swiney, the officers on whom the work of the club had fallen during the past season. After tea had been served competitions were enjoyed, the winners being —peg, Mrs. Miller; lucky squares, Mrs. Miller; Bobs, Mrs. Leadbeater. Woburn Competition Day. The competition day held at Woburn on Wednesday was highly successful, both socially and financially, and the promoters, Mesdames Walker and Monks, arc to be congratulated on the result. Mrs. Young, in the unavoidable absence of Mrs. Johnson (captain), thanked the guests for their attendance and also tho hostesses for their effort. There were several close finishes in the competitions, the winners being: Mesdames King (break), Andrews (peg), Mouat runner-up; Sykes (angles), Cameron runner-up; Vcltch (ladder), Kelly runner-up. Johnsonville Club. The Johnsonville Club also closed down recently after a very progressive season, and much interest was taken I in the prize-giving. There were many | visitors from the city, including Mrs. Millar (Victoria), Mrs. Shortt, Mrs. Rhodes Williams (Kelburn), Mrs. Meyer, and Mrs. Hum. Tho club, which is comparatively young, is very grateful for the interest some of the town folk have taken in it, tho president specially mentioning Mrs. Rhodes Williams, Wellington's official referee, and Mrs. Shortt, to whom members are much indebted for help in many ways. During tho afternoon Mrs. Croft, the president of the club, presented tho prizes won during the season, as follow:— Singles champion, Mrs. Bice; runnerup, Mrs. A. Wilson. Doubles championship: Mrs. W. Mills and Mrs. M'Bride; runners-up, Mrs. Grant and

Dr. Zelanda Aitken. M»s. Mills, th» club captain, on behalf of the member* presented Mrs. Croft (president) aid Mrs. M'Bride (secretary) with beauUful Doulton fruit dishes, and expressed appreciation of their work during tie year. The competitions held during the afternoon were won as fellow:— Ladder, Mrs. Rhodes Williams; peg, Mrs. Shortt; French, Mrs. A. Wilson. St. Augustine's Club. St. Augustine's Club had a beauti> 3to day for its closing, win-,-., there tips? quite a large attendance, iucluo-iig several of the "sterner sex." Opportunity was taken to farewell Mr. and Mrs. Falder, who leave shortly on a trip to the Homeland, and the Rev. Mr. Ramson, president, in. asking them to accept an attache case and fountain pen, said how much both would be missed by the club. All hoped that even after seeing the croquet in England Mr. and Mrs. Falder would be glad to return to St. Augustine's, where they would always be welcome. After the competitions (Mesdames Gillbanks and Hughes equal, French, committee only; peg, Mr. Falder; angles, Mr. Falder, who gained the possible, and golf, Mr. Patterson), the president presented the Sprott Cup to Mrs. Norton Smith, together with a handsome crystal vase, the runner-up, Mrs. Sykes, receiving Mrs. Marsden 's trophy. Mr. Eamson congratulated Mrs. Norton Smith oa being the first winner of the cup. Tha members toasted Mr. and Mrs. Falder, and the singing of "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows" closed a most enjoyable afternoon.