CROQUET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 November 1928, Page 3

CROQUET.

PARK -CLUB’S qPENTNG DAY. Favoured with a fine sunny afternoon and pleasant surroundings, -the Park Croquet Club held the official opening of its new lawns aiid pavilion yesterday aftrenoon. Tlie president, Mrs T. Tbit, in her-opeining remarks, said it was very gratifying to see so many croquet enthusiasts and friends present, and extended, on behalf of the club, a hearty welcome to them al 7 Mrs Tait thanked the Hawcra Borough Council for tlie help it had given the club, in laying down the lawns, and she also thanked all who had assisted with donations:. Wi'tn these few remarks she called on iMr J. Bayley, president of the 'South Taranaki Croquet Association, who performed the opening ceremony, and congratulated the club on the new lawns. The pavilion was the result of many efforts for monetary assistance, and wa’s being erected free' of debt, and the club members had the satisfaction of knowing that they were permanently and comfortably housed. Speaking as a citizen, Mr Bayley thought the Borough Council had done all to assist the sport,. As a councillor he assured those present that all sports deputations received sympathetic hearings. Croquet, said Mr Baylev, was becoming very popular in England, where there were more men players than women. In New *Zealand the men were comparatively few, but soon the women would have to 10-ok -totheir laurels. The progress of croquet in South Taranaki was greatly due to the- fact that they had their own association and held tournaments. There would be two tournaments duirng the seasun, an A and B grade contest. Mr Bayley then formally .declared the pavilion and lawns opened and he called on Mrs Bayley to play the first ball through 'the hoop. Mrs Tait then presented Mrs Bayley with a beautiful bouquet. Various competitions resulted: Gulf croquet, Mrs Kniglit (Avon, Stratford); target, Mrs Masters (Patea); ring the bell, Mrs -Horner (Patea); ladder, Mrs Campbell (Phrk). Mrs Dowling, of Kia Ora Club (Hawcra) and Mr Horner (Patea) returned thanks for the pleasant afternoon they had , all spent, and wished the club every success in the future. Visitors were present from Eaponga, Avon ((Stratford), Okaiawa, Patea, and Kia Ora (Ha'wera) while apologies were received from Opunake, Eltham and Stratford Clubs.