CROQUET NOTES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 18, 16 October 1930, Page 5

CROQUET NOTES

Amendments to Rules

* CLUB OPENINGS

(By “Rover.”)

Coming Tournaments.

Manawatu Association, Palmerston North, November 2a, IdoB; t . Canterbury Association, Christchurch, December 26, 1930. North Island Championship, Auckland, January 9, 1931. . Dominion Championship, Christchurch, January 19, 1931. South Island Championship, Dunedin, January 30, 1931. . Wellington Association, Wellington, February 3, 1931. Taranaki Association, New Plymouth, February 3, 1931. . Southland Association, first week m February, 1931. South Taranaki Association, Hawera, second week in February, 1931. South Central Association (Canterbury), Timaru, February 19, 1931. Southern Hawke’s Bay Association, Dannevirke, fourth week in February, 1931. Otago Association, Dunedin, March 3, 1931. English Gold and Silver Medals, Palmerston North, March 31. • ... The croquet season of 1930-31 is being ushered in by the various clubs having their official openings. In spite of the changeable weather prevailing, great enthusiasm is being displayed. < At the Seatoun club’s opening last week, over two hundred players were present, although the opening of Johnsonville club provided a counter-attrac-tion. More Greens Needed.

The time is not far distant when the City Council will be called upon to provide more lawns for the local players. So great has been the influx of players this season already that several of the municipal clubs now have a full membership. As the season progresses, and players are unable to gain admittance to clubs, more playing space will be necessary, and the only playing area, convenient to the city, is that which is being formed in Hataitai, with the spoil from the tunnel. It is hoped that the city fathers will keep the need of the croquet players In view when planning out that area.

Handicaps. •> The Croquet Council has issued its annual handicaps, and in reviewing these handicaps the bisqueing of the members of a well-known southern club is noticeable. Some players who can do the triple peel consistently have only been reduced from 8J bisques to 5, from 11 to 9, and from 8i to 4s. The chance of winning against some of these players, if pitted with our local ones, would be all in the visitors’ favour, as none of the intermediate players of this district can do the triple peel. In fact, only one A player is capable of doing it with any certainty. It is due to the tuition given to the southern club by Mr. Windsor Richards (England) during his stay there, that the members have made such remarkable progress in triple-peeling. Mr. Windsor Richards, who has returned to England, has been approached on the matter of becoming official instructor for the English Croquet Association for next season. The matter of his acceptance is in abeyance at present, as the question has arisen concerning his amateur status. The English Association is anxious to obtain his services, but he will not. give them officially the expense of becoming a professional; like,wise, the English Association does not wish him to be barred from participating in its tournaments, so an endeavour is to be'made to cope with the situation before next season. The Dominion players, who were fortunate enough to receive instruction from him consider themselves very lucky. New Zealand is the first place where classes of any size-have been held, and it was partly owing to some photographs of these classes being reproduced in the English “Gazette,” that caused the English body to approach Mr. Richards with the request to give similar instruction in the Homeland. Amendments to Laws. \ ’ ,

At the forthcoming conference of delegates in England, Law 35 (wrong ball play) will be reconsidered by the council, as it is the general opinion that some penalty. of a more far-reaching nature should be introduced. At present the punishment does not by any means fit the crime. . ...

Another law about which there will, no doubt,' be a lengthy discussion is 4L“optlonal lift in level play.” It is proposed to introduce an amendment to this law, with a view to encouraging the triple peel, and among the changes suggested are that there should be (a) no “lift” after any ball has been pegged out; (b) the law as at present, but no rover to be "lifted” (unless It has no open shot); (c) a “lift” to be allowed after an opponent has made a break of more than nine points Instead of after 4-back, as at present; (d) in place of the present law a lift to be allowed at the beginning of any turn for a player’s ball which has not an open shot at every other ball on the «o' irt < ' e ' the “lift” to be allowed after 4-back has been made, but played from any part of the end of each lawn, and not from either baulk as at present. Playing With Wrong 8011.

An interesting point arose recently in a game played in England. The player took a shot in error with the opponent B ball and missed. The player, having first (under Law 35c) been asked e . c ’ ar ® h of the balls was “deemed to be the cor rect ball,” the advlsary then exercised his option (under Law 35a) of interchanging such ball with his own, which had wrongly been moved. This decision came to many as a surprise, though, of course, it was legally correct.

Ngaroma Club. The old-established Ngaroma Club is making preparations for its coming of age, it being 21 years since its first playing season An endeavour is being made to get in touch with the original members, many of whom have removed to other parts of the Dominion, and to hold a gathering of all past and present members. Ot the foundation members but three remain in the club, some of the others living In Levin, Christchurch, Auckland, Masterton, Wellington, and Upper Hutt. The Ngaroma Club has placed Its lawns at the disposal of the Central Club, Petone, for play m the inter-club matches till the end of November, owing to the Central <-lub lawns not being ready for play when the lnterclub matches commence on Thursday, November 6. This kindly action is much appreciated by the Central Club. Two well-known croquet players, Mesdames Caldow and Walker, are the finalists in the Shandon Golf Club’s ladies championship. Woburn Club.

The Woburn Club, Lower Hutt, opened for the coming season on Tuesday afternoon, when a number of visitors from town and the Hutt Valley were present. The weather was wintry, but the warm welcome received by all and the excellent playing surface of the lawns more than compensated for the climatic condition. Mrs. Monks (president) and Mrs. Rowe (hon. secretary) received the guests on behalf of the club, and one and all did their best to make the occasion an enjoyable one. Mrs. Monks gave all a hearty welcome and called on Mrs. W. Austin, president of the Wellington Association, to perform the opening ceremony. The pavilion and tea tables were beautifully decorated with streamers and tulips, the club colours giving a very dainty effect.

The lawns show the work that has been put into them during the recess, and now rank with the best in the Hutt Valley. Charming bouquets were presented to Mesdames Austin, Monks, and Nash. Competitions were played, the winners being as follow:—Target: Mesdames Smith and Pawson. Golf: Mesdames Williamson and Butcher. Hurry-scurry: Mesdames Gilbanks and Fairley. Hoop: Mrs. Roundhill. General regret Is felt at the passing away of Mrs. P. Robertson, Upper’ Hutt, a vice-patron of the Wellington Association and a member of the Upper Hutt Croquet Club. Although not a prominent player, Mrs. Robertson always took a deep Interest in the club, and she will be much missed by the members. ; Answers to Correspondents.

Beginner. —The turn does not cease, and no foul has been played. “A” proceeds to croquet black witli blue, and the turn continues in the usual way. Red Ball.—Your request received too late for this week’s issue. Will give details , .week’s aotes.