NORTH SHORE CROQUET CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 253, 25 October 1932, Page 9

NORTH SHORE CROQUET CLUB.

The official opening of the North Shore Croquet Club took place yesterday afternoon, by the Mayor of Devonport, Mr. H. F. ,W. Meikle., Refore declaring the lawns open for play, Mr. Meikle said he wished to express hie admiration for the wonderful work done by the members of this club. Before taking up this new position they played on lawns which were part,of the Devonport Bowling Club, and as both clubs grew and more room was needed, they decided to acquire lawns of their own, and obtained the section on the Wairoa Road. It was really nothing but a salt bog originally and a very ugly and unsightly bit of land with only its accessibility A3 an asset. The members, consisting of only 25 ladies, with Mrs. A. W. White and Mrs. F. W. Beck, as president and secretary, took things in hand, and in twelve nionthe had transformed this section into what is otjo of the most promising looking croquet areas in the Auckland district. It is well laid out, four full lawne, one smaller one, and a putting green, with rose pergolas, summer houses, statuary, borders of flowers and shrubs, and a charming pavilion, and all paid for. The Borough Council had helped with relief labour, but the club was free of financ'al debt, everything being paid up to date. Mr. Meikle then wished the new club every success, and declared the lawns open. The president, Mrs. White, when introducing Mr. Meikle, took the opportunity to thank all helpers, mentioning the Devonport Bowling Club in particular, without whose. assistance they would have been afraid to make the venture, and her fellow members who had worked so hard and so loyally I all through the campaign. Messre. Melville and Trevithick also apoke, expressing their good wishes. Afternoon tea was served by the members in the pavilion, which was beautifully arranged with flowers in the club colours, heliotrope and pink, by Mre. Beck, and expressions of admiration were heard on all sides. Among those present were: Mesdames IT. F. W. Meikle, Mayoress of Devonport, A. W. White, F. W. Beck, W. fx. Burrett, Webber, Hamilton, Trevithick, Clark, Hough, Falla, P. Wash (Rotprua), Gray,., R. ..; Salmon, Harty, Jackman, Broughton,- Cotes, Chambers, Brookes, A. Bartley, Cooper, Connell, Flinn, MacLaren, J.,R. Spiner, Watson, Melville, J. W. Lowe, Erickson, Clarkson, Pilkington, Warren, Green, Prime, Airey, Gill, A. Griffith, Cusworth, O'Brien, Porter, Thompson, Peckham, .Morgan, - Kenhings,' Farquharson, \ Crawford, Martenson, Spinley, Bayley, ' Hurley, ■ Smart, -Pitts, Marks, Porter, Cf aigmile, Horsley, Alison, Lusher, Wooller,'Wood, and the Misses Casey, J. Cosh, Blair-Mason, G. Duder.