CROQUET NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 96, 27 April 1929, Page 18

CROQUET NOTES

(By "Peg.")

Croquet is now almost over for the seasiyi, only a couplo of ,the more favoured clubs being able to carry on, and even they will close down within a few days. Monday's jollification at Kirkcaldio's was, indeed, a delightful ending to a good season, and members arc agreed that they have never had a' more enjoyable afternoon. During the past, as in all seasons, different members have learned different lessons, and in this iiitorclub matches havo been a great factor. In visiting other clubs 'members havo met xresh ideas, and all havo gained in sonic way for tho improvement of their game. New Zealand Croquet Council Report. At a mooting of dologates hold on Monday it was decided that the report of tho New Zealand Croquet Council meeting shall be distributed to affiliated clubs within two weeks of tho delegate's return, as tho present method of holding the report until a full meeting was considered'making it of little or no value; also that a meeting of delegates shall be called within one month of the Now Zealand Council meeting. Team for Victoria. It was reported at the delegates', meeting that the response so far t the appoal for funds must be considered satisfactory, "and everything points to the Wellington Association doing its share in the matter. During tho ab-

sence of the hon. secretary, Mrs. Eaii M'Kenzie, the president, Mrs. Austin, will act in her stead. Break Competition, i The break competition for the silver cups donated by this column was concluded on Tuesday on the Woburn lawns: Players, were favoured with' beautiful weather and lawns in excellent condition. Unfortunately, the few hours' notice of the- games prevented' several from participating, but .those who did had a very enjoyable day. Tho Woburn members provided a "sit down" lunch and delicious afternoon tea, and the stores; were apparently like the "widow's cruise," for, though friends and onlookers arrived all through the day, .1 there was always plenty.,. Strangely enough, the "B" section showed up best in the breaks, the biggest of the day being nine, made by Mrs. Pdllock ■■■« (Eastbourne), who played as pretty >■* break as has been' seen in Wellington. The winners were: A" grade (/ :. Mrs. 0 'Donnell (Kelburn);

intermediate, Mrs. Wadsworth (Ngaroma); B, Mrs. Pollock (Eastbourne), runner-up^ Mrs. Fairley (Ngaroma); consolation cup, Mrs. Gardner (Kel- [ burn). • Eastbourne Club., For such a young club, wJioso members were practically, beginners three seasons ago, the Eastbourne Club has made wonderful progress. It is now found that tho existing green is not sufficient to accommodate the present membership, and by arrangement with the Eastbourne Borough Council & new full-sized green is being laid down.- -t is expected that there will be record attendance on Tuesday, when croquet members of the sister clubs in Wellington will be provided with a full afternoon's entertainmet. The Sastbourne Bowling Club is generously lending the Weautif ul bowling green, and it is hoped that quite a good amount will be added to tho croquet green fund. The bus leaving tho Public Library, Wellington, at 1.30 p.m., will go straight to the green. . Social. The Ngaroma pavilion was gaily decorated for the closing day on Wednesday, and there was a record attendance. The competitions for tho afternoon resulted: Break, Mesdames Wadsworth, May, and Edncy; peg, Mrs. Laurie; tunnel, Mrs. May; angles, Mrs. Matthews; honorary members' competition, Mrs. Wilson. A delicious afternoon tea was' served, after which' Mrs. " Laurie, president, pre-

scnted the trophies won during tlio past season as follows:— Palmer Star (club championship), Mrs. Martin; Palmer ferns, Mesdames Laurie and Wadsworth; Castle Cup, Mrs. Martin; champion doubles, Mesdames Matthews and Wilkinson; handicap doubles, Mr. and Mrs. Laurie; 'runner-up, Mesdames Matthews and Fairley. In congratulating members, Mrs. Laurie said the past season, had been one of the most eventful in the club's career, and they wore all very proud of the success achieved by their members in play ■outside their own club. .Mrs. Martin had won the intermediate champion of champions event, Mrs. Wadsworth had carried off the intermediate break competition, aid Mrs. Fairley was'iunncr•lip in the II grade of the same event. Mrs. Gowcr, secretary, said she must also , add her meed of praise, &or the club was very proud of these ladies, and she also thanked them all for their splendid s_upport throughout, the soason, especially'for tlio loyal way.in uiucu everything had-been carried on during I her enforced absence. The ..kindness, of j members had been wonderful and she was extremely grateful. Mrs. Matthews, vice-president, said she had a very pleasant task, for though members had done well, they'all felt their-offi-cers- had also done well in the splendid way everything 'was so well managed for them, and they asked Mrs. Laurie and Mrs. Gower to j accept dainty supper sandwich sots with tho best wishes o i! the club. Cheers, "Jolly Good Players, ' aud'Auld Lang Syne" finished a delightful party. The Ngaroma' Club is holding fortnightly, card evenings through the winter months. The Hautana" Club also closed for the season on Wednesday, and great interest was taken.in tho first prize-giving. There, was'a full attendance of, mem-: bers and'honorary members and seve/al guests, including Mrs. Johnson, vicepresident of the Croquet Association.. Various competitions-occupied the early part' of the/afternoon, the winners being: French, Mrs. Taylor; golf, Mrs. Savage; peg, Mrs. Walker; ladder, Mrs. Capcs,^ the trophies being ' donated by Mesdames Poole, Dowland, and Campbell. At the afternoon tea interval, Mrs. W. Andrews (president),- before calling upon Mrs. Murphy to present the prices won during the season, congratulated the members on the progress made. The fact that they were all practically "on the same level had no doubt helped to make the season so enjoyable, and now the end had come they were all imbued with the spirit to still further improve, and would look forward with great pleasure to the opening of another season. The prize list included: Most improved player, Mrs.. K. Lockett; handicap Yankee singles, Mrs. F. Campbell; ladder .matches, Mrs. K. Lockett, runner-up -Mrs. Barker; and the trophies for these events were donated by Mesdames Andrews, Johnson, Walker, and Murphy. . A pleasing, in-, terlude was the presentation to the popular president, Mrs. Andrews, of a dainty posy and crystal condiment set from all the members, Mesdamos Campbell, secretary, and Lockett, treasurer, also receiving dainty gifts in recognition ..of their work on behalf of the club. \Mrs. Capes, who has done yeoman service in coaching players was presented, with a charming' bouquet.

Answers to -Correspondents.-^" G.L. "■ writes: "I was playing black ball aiidmy partner blue. At one stage I played blue ball on to yellow, took off, played onto black, and then in taking off did so with black ball; and proceeded to make some points until called to order. Would that be classed as playing the wrong ball, and could I go on?"_ In your case it was not wrong ball, it was wrong striker, and all the balls should have been replaced as'they were at the commencement of the turn. If your partner had done as you did it would have been wrong ball from-the second take-off. ... .. ' , • •

- "Inquirer".—ln the matter of hoops, .being left out, au. oineial: referee, Mrs. Bhodes-William's, and' also "sir. Rossi' president of the New Zealand Council, have ruled that once the succeeding turn lias been taken without th,e-error being observed, nothing can be done, ai;J players may carry on. . '''