A SPORTS' MECCA.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 123, 25 May 1923, Page 2 (Supplement)

A SPORTS' MECCA.

MAGNIFICENT GOLF LINKS. UP-TO-DATE TENNIS COURTS, j Bccau-e o: its rapid growth and i I assured future, because of its central; situation as a meeting place for roads: and railways, and because of the beauty j of its setting. Hamilton is destined to become a sport-" Mecca. Already it possesses golf links, J-t. Andrew's. ; general!-,- .onsidered to be tho finest in ■ Australasia, bordered by the river and situated only three miles by a good road from the town, its situation is ideal. ; Owing to the putui. eons nature of the soil, which doc- not hold the water nor produce a rank growth of grass, the links are practical!;, always playable. They are always iv the best of condi- : tion. th-i-e is a commodious and wellequipped pavilion, and being municipal pro]km"ty, arc open to anyone upon pay monr of a fee for each game. At Steele Park across at. Hamilton Fast there is a tine ground for football. : while at. tiie same place this, summer a

cricket pitch was prepared. Seddon Park is the rendezvous of the cricketer in summer, while in the winter months football and hockey are in full swing. At both these parks children's playgTounds have recently been fitted witli swings and other apparatus, and they are always very popular with the children. A further area adjoining Seddon Park is being prepared lor football, while followers of the League code arc catered for on grounds in Mill Street, a short distance from Seddon I'ark. Tennis is now being served in a manner which reflects the highest credit I upon the town. Indeed, the scheme . which has been undertaken is in keeping' with the ideals which 'have inspired the i Beautifying Society in its public-spirited work. A body known as the Hamilton Tennis Courts' Society has been formed | for the sole purpose of benefiting tennis. I From the Domain Board it has obtained ] leasehold rights over an area adjoining iSeddon Park, between Hamilton and Frankton. On this land grass courts have been laid down for any club requiring them, the finance being provided by £1000 worth of debentures and public subscriptions. On a piece of level ground overlooked on one side by »a natural terrace, which will make an' ideal,place for pavilions, some 30 courts c_n lie laid down. A large number are ' already in use, and others will be laid down as required, in addition to several hard courts, which will be available to the public at a fee. Local enthusiasts suy that it is intended to make the best tournament ground in the island, and this is no idle boast The charter, of the society refers especially to the work of beautifying the \ area, and there is no doubt that the whole scheme will be in harmony, and tending to make the tennis area an adjunct to the town. Bowlers are well catered for. there being no less than four excellent greens,! namely, Hamilton. Whitiora. Frankton.) and Hamilton East. Each green has' most up-to-date appointments, and as I the greens are always in good order they i are very well patronised by members. ' During the season a number of impor-1 tant bowling tournaments are held in I the district. , I Bowing enthusiasts find the Waikato ■River a great training ground, and at the annual regatta each year local oarsmen are generally able to hold their own against the best that the Xorth Island can fend along. Municipal swimming baths attract large numbers of swimmers, while othetfollowers of the natatorial art utilise the river and the lake. and Thames lines, asking that special train arrangement? he made to carry children to and from the show or one way. and the association is endeavouring to bring this about. The Forestry Department is taking twice the space it had last year, and are making a comprehensive exhibit of the Department's work. The Ruakura Farm's exhibit will occupy its usual position, with its wide educational range of exhibits. | One of the principal factors in bringing the show to its present successful I stage has been its popular secretary. ! Mr. AY. IT. Paul. Many people declare , i that Mr. Paul is the show, and when one considers the energy, initiative and enterprise that Mr. Paul displays one is forced to the same conclusion. Mr. i I Paul realises to the full extent the value I lof advertising, and it is perfectly safe to state that the Waikato Winter Show is the best nnd most widely known fixture of its kind in the Dominion. Following are the presidents siuce the show's inception:—loo 7. Allen Bell: 190. , Allen Hell; 1900. ,las. Bond: 1910. Jas. Bond: 1911, S. J. Bennett: 1912, Jas. Parlane: 191.3. F. E. Smith: 1914. F. F. Smith; 1915. W. J. McKee: 1916. W. J. MeKee; IPI7. F. Pemberton: 1918. F. Pemberton: 1919. W. J. McKeo: 19_0 T .T. E. Tidd; 1921. ,1. E. Tidd: 1922, H. H. Clark; 1923, H. H. Clark. -