N.Z. Croquet Team

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 13

N.Z. Croquet Team

Sir,—My attention has been drawn to a letter appearing under, the above heading and over the signature of “Lover of Fair Play.” After reading the body of the epistle, containing, as it does, so many inaccurate and misleading statements, I am at a loss to know why a “iwm de plume” such as your correspondent hides behind should have been chosen.

I have no intention of discussing through the columns of _ your. valued paper tbe merits or demerits of either the five selected players, or those named by your correspondent. The three selectors —who did not pick themselves as such —have a very fair knowledge of the game, and of our most prominent players. .. .

The personnel of the team was decided upon, only after a great amount of thought and time had been expended over this very difficult task; indeed, the only possible’ aspect of our selection which was neglected was the fact that we made no effort to please everybody. So far as my memory serves me, this is the first occasion I have ever answered a letter appearing over a nom de plume. I had refrained from doing so now were it not for the fact that “Lover of Fair Play” has made use of misleading statements which may do harm to the game we espouse.—l am, etc.. ’ F. HARTNELL, (One of the Selectors.) New Plymouth, October 31.

Sir, —You published a letter, under the non-de-plume “Lorn- of Fair Play,’’ criticising the selection of the New Zealand croquet team to play in Australia. “Lover of Fair Play” asks why Mrs. Watkins has been overlooked. Certainly Mrs. Watkins has won many cups and has won the gold medal, and, when at the top of her form, was included in the team which went to Australia to compete for the Macßobertson trophy, but at the present time she is not a holder of any Croquet Coundil's championship. Mention was also made of Mr. Ross, and certainly he is the best exponent of crotjuet in New Zealand, and at present is the holder of the men’s championship and was runner-up in the open championship, 1934. Other members of the team include the open champion of New land. Captain Hartnell; the winner of the New Zealand ladies’ championship. 1933-1934, Mrs. Caldow; the winner of (he South Island open championship, also winner of the .South Island ladies championship, 1931-32-33, Mrs. Corbet; and the winner of last year's (1933) open championship, Mr. Stratton. If “Lover of Fair Play” could select, a more representative team, he or she should have been sole selector. Re picking the team, the three “highlights”.did not. place themselves in the team, as their names were sent in by the majority of associations, who also gave them the newer to select the other two players. I believe Mrs. Anstis was picked as emergency in the event of any of the above plavers not being able to make the trip. > “Lover of Fair Play” is evidently disnnpointed over Mrs. Watkins’s uon-inclu-sion in the team, but must remember that Hawke’s Bay has one player picked for tiie team.- I think it is up to every croquet player in the Dominion to supnort the council by contributing toward (he cost of s nfling tbe team away. When the last New Zealand team went to Australia. Wellington bad no representative, but contributed. T believe, about £7O to the fund, thus showing their interest Hi New Zealand croquet.-—! Wellington. October 30.