CROQUET NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 83, 5 October 1933, Page 19

CROQUET NOTES

BY "CONCENTRATE'

Club Openings. —Seatoun, Oetobor 10; Wellington, October 11; Ngaroma, October 12; Khandallah, October 12; Hataitai, October 12; Woburn, October 14; Hutt, October 14; St. Augustine's, October 21.

Coming Tournaments.

Wairarapa, November 28. North Island (Botorua), January 4. So utlT Island (Ashburton), January 4. New Zealand Championships (Christchurch), January 17, Wellington (Hutfc), February 2. Beginning of Season. With the advent of spring the thoughts of croquet players naturally turn to the openings of the various greens. Players are anxious to commence play as early as posßible, and providing the weather is fine ; the greens are generally in a suitable condition for play at the beginning of October. Although repeated requests have been made to ihe reserves committee of the City Council for a reduction in ground fees, so far nothing has been done. This is indeed unfortunate as in a great many cases players are finding it a hardship to pay the necessarily increased subscriptions to clubs. It certainly, seems inconsistent that an enforced reduction should be made in house rents whilst ground rents have been raised. There still exists a hope, however, that councillors will see their way clear to return to the rate charged prior to last year. Inter-club Matches. The inter-club matches are set down to commence on October 24, and if the weather is as good this year as last good progress should be made by Christmas. The match committee meets next Monday when the draw for the various association events will take place, details of which will appear in next week's column. Waimarie Club. A perfect day favoured the opening of the Waimarie Club's greens last Saturday, when there was a large attendance of members and visitors from other clubs. The guests were , received by Mrs. Vaughan (president), assisted by Mrs. Savage (vice-president) and Mrs. Kelly (secretary).. Those present in-, eluded Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. J. Mitchell, Mr. H. T. Strand, Mesdames Austin, Gardner, Caldow, Boocoek, Glenuie (Hawera), Faller (Westport), and Miss Glennie. Apologies were received from Mrs. Eart McKcnzie and Mrs. W. Nash. A dainty afternoon tea was served in the spacious pavilion, the tables being charmingly decorated by Mrs. Jones. The winners of the various competitions, which were in charge of the sports committee, are as follows:—Squares, Mrs. Drysdale 1, Mrs. Perry 2; ladder, Mrs. Sharpe 1, Mrs. Wincbcombe 2; angles, Mrs. Eoundhill 1, Mrs. Bock 2. Karori Club. The Karori Club opened its greens for the season last .Tuesday. The weather was perfect. Mrs. Johnson (president) welcomed the guests, and after wishing those present a happy and successful season, called upon Mr. Burn (patron) to drive tho first ball through the hoop. Great credit is due to Mesdames Dryden and Swiney for the artistic decoration of the afternoon tea tables, which looked a picture, the various tints of mauve and heliotrope blending to perfpction. Several competitions were played during the afternoon, the following being the winners:—Mrs. Winchcombe. (Island Bay), peg; Mrs. Butcher (Kangamaifo),"ladder; Mrs. 'Barker (Woburn), to and fro; Miss Macaskill (Hutt), angles; Mrs. Williamson, french. It is understood that the greens, although looking in splendid order, will not be played; on next week. Publications. It is unfortunato that owing to an accident to the machinery the printers will not be able to complete work on the annual until about October 10. Clubs should have supplies within a few days of that date. Supplies of "Croquet and How to Play It," by Mr. A. G. Koss, will also be available übout the same time. Durie Hill: blub. The sun shone brilliantly on Saturday afternoon for the official opening of the Durie Hill Club, Wanganui. There was aflarge attendance of1 visitors from other clubs, including several from Marton. The Rev. W. Tye (president), in welcoming . the visitors, made particular mention of Mrs. A. Crawford, .the first president of the Wanganui Croquet' Association. In reply, Mrs. Crawford spoke of the financial affairs of the Croquet Council, and stressed the important and splendid work being done by the present secretary, Mr. A. G. Boss, of Christchurch. Mrs. W. A. Veitch, after playing tho first ball through the hoop, declared the season open. Croquet in England. Colonel and Mrs. Dv Pre have had a most successful and enjoyable croquet week at their delightful home, Wilton Park, Beaconsfield, England. They entertained a large party of well-known croquet players who took part in a tournament that lasted throughout the week. The team consisted of Sir Gerald and Lady Burke, Sir Francis Colchester Wemyss, Sir Gerald Murray, Major Cecil Stone, Captain and Mrs. Longworth, ' Mrs. Idnides; Miss Rctallack, Mr. Lyall, and Colonel Du v Pre. The two lawns at Wilton Park were in perfect condition for the event. They have been laid, not only with expert care for tho players, but also with obvious consideration for the onlookers, for it is difficult to imagine a more beautiful setting anywhere. Running the entire length of tho lawns on one side is a hedge..of crimson rambler roses, while a blaze of colour from the herbaceous borders flank tho ends, and away in the park, as far as one can see, are great stately oaks, limes, elms, and beech trees, including tho giant ash, famous as being the second tallest in England. Throughout the tournament the weather was perfect. Colonel and Mrs. Dv Pre hope to make tho event an annual one. To conclude the week, Mrs. Dv Pre gave a croquet garden party, and her many guests witnessed exhibition matches. Three games were played. Colonel Wilson and Colonel Dv Pre beat Mrs. lonides and Mr. W. Lougman by 6 points.. Colonel Wilson aufl Mr. Longman beat Mrs. lonides and Colonel Dv Pre by 26 points, Mr. Longman doing a perfect triple peel, and Mr. Longman and Colonel Dv Pre beat Mrs. lonides and- Colonel Wilson by 13 points. While the games were being played, Sir Francis Wemysa kindly helped those uninitiated in the game to understand the various points by- explaining them through a giant megaphone. Tea was served on the terrace overlooking the lawns, and then Lady Howe, who had motored over from Perm, presented the prizes. This took some time, as there were first and second prizes for the winners of the ladies' and gentlemen's doubles and singles events, consolation prizes, and charming memento gifts from Colonel and Mrs. Dv Pro to each member of tho team. Wairarapa News. Several of tho Wairarapa clubs hare already ■ opened, Carterton being the first, followed .'by; Hanui. The only

tournament taking place before Christmas is the Wairarapa championships, to be held at Featherston on November 28. The Wairarapa Association is particularly anxious to have as many players as possible from other districts taking part in the tournament. The association will certainly So their utmost to extend a cordial welcome to all those Avho make the trip. The greens are in excellent condition, special attention having been devoted to them during the winter months. A new roller has been purchased by the Featherston Club, which is keen to have the greens as near perfect as possible for the tourney. Deep sympathy is extended lo Mrs. Pollock in the death of her husband. Mr. Pollock, who was one of Wellington's veteran croquet players, was highly respected in croquet circles, and will be very much missed by all his associates. For many years he was a member of the Karori Club, and later joined up with Haeremai Club, Island Bayr Personals. Mrs. Glennie (Hawera) has returned from a visit to the Hutt. Mrs. Lowery has joined up with the Wellington Club this year. Mrs. Bassett (Masterton) is at present on a visit to Wellington. Mrs. Walker (late of Waimarie Club) has joined the Woburn Club. Mr. Weddespopn has returned to Wanjrauni after a trip to Cliristelmrch and the Wost, Coast.