CROQUET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22100, 2 November 1933, Page 5

CROQUET

By Clips. [Club secretaries and captains are invited to send in items of interest for insertion' in this column, inquiries relating to rules will be answered as far as possible. All correspondence must reach;this,office not . later than Tuesday of each week.] INTERCLUB MATCHES ■ For the Wednesday shield matches the following teams have been entered:— Senior Grade: Leith, Opoho, Punga, St. Clair, and Watea. Junior Grade: Caversham (2)., Logan Park (2), Leith (2), Montecillo (1), Opoho (I), Punga (2), St, Clair (1), Taieri (1), Tainui (2), Watea (1). This makes five in the Senior Grade and 15 in the Junior Grade —a record entry. Last year there were four senior and nine junior teams in the competition. The senior competition may be more interesting with an extra team in it, but from the total entries one would be inclined to think that the association has not progressed-as the clubs, or, perhaps, the game has. For this reason each year the entries have gone up—and even since last season, another club has been formed,; With a,little foresight, a much more interesting competition coidd have been arranged, by. making all teams consist of four players,. and, introducing an intermediate grade. There is no doubt that at least the last two of all theisenior sixes, will have no chance (in fact, no game) with the top four of the opposition. Then from the 15 junior entries six or seven of these teams will be in the same position and have no chance whatever. On the other hand, with the four top players, from each of the five clubs entered, the senior’ matches would have been a " real ” competition. Then a strong intermediate grade could have been made with the last two of the present senior six, together with two top juniir players, and a team from some of the clubs which have entered one team only, such, for instance, as Taieri; and for the Junior Grade some of the weaker clubs, together with the second team from those who have entered two teams. AIL three grades would have been very evenly balanced and made a, worth-while, as well as friendly, contest for all. Without unfair criticism, one can only say the management has been somewhat shortsighted. . TALK ON CROQUET rri.„ , C a I-.

The secretary of the association has been asked to announce that Mrs Caldow (Dominion referee) will give ,her second tall | on " Croquet ” on the evening, of Novem- ; her 18 from 2YA, Wellington. Mrs . Caldow is.. desirous of helping players 1 throughput the Dominion, and requests ’ members who wish for a special law or J shot to be elaborated to write to her in ’ time, for the matter to be included: in , her talk. Mrs Caldow’s address is 38 Lonsdale crescent, Rongatai, Wellington, i ton. OLD AND NEW In.the early days of croquet the first thing was to get a small, level piece of .ground, build a small dressing room, equip the "lawn " with playing material which was probably not regulation but good enough to get a game and some fun, too. Then we had a club and off we went. In later years, profiting by experience and the progress of the game, prospective clubs have looked round for enough ground to make at least a couple of full-sized lawns with room for extension and built pavilions > large enough for social parties and equipped with all the necessaries. This week we welcome the latest, addition to our game—Watea Club, .which on Saturday last opened its lawns and pavilion equipped "up to the last minute.” The official opening of the Watea Croquet Club took place at Kettle Park in a natural amphitheatre in the sandhills. The lawns presented a charming aspect to the 200 odd visitors. The originators of the idea of building croquet lawns here are to be congratulated on

their foresight and good judgment. Sheltered from all winds, and with: the tang pi the sea in the air, this will be a natural health resort for those who, like to take their pleasure and exercise in the game of croquet.' The members' of the Domain Board have undoubtedly considered that beauty in surroundings has a great deal to do With the happiness and pleasure of the people. The improve-. ments they have started On the domain will be a lasting monument to their public spirit. - Not the smallest of these improvements is the area devoted, to the Watea Croquet Clubi This club- opens its first season with one full-sized lawn, two three-quarter, size, and two small . lawns for teaching beginners,, and pvo- - vision is made for extending to six full- . sized lawns. Added to this there is a . spacious pavilion with all the necessary , equipment for the entertainment of the , members and theit; friends. The oiiice- , bearers .of the dub are:—President, Mrs i H. Halliday; captain, Mrs Christopher; i secretary, Miss Glanville. Mrs Halliday welcomed the visitors and ■ thanked the members for the he p they had given to make the opening day a success. Little Margaret Gibson then pre- , sented her with a handsome bouquet of flowers in the club colours (gold and white)': Mr Halliday (chairman of the Advisory Committee) said ■ that the club was very fortunate in having such a wonderful team :of ladies working in its interest. The delightful lawns to be seen to-day had been just .12 months ago nothing but a mass of sand and surely a creditable performance and a beautiful amenity for the city. He thanked air those who had assisted. The dub was, due to this help, in a position to start play with a perfect equipment, a very comfortable pavilion, and an almost ir’eal lawn. He made special mention-of the work done by the unemployed, many of whom, although untrained in this type of work, had set a lawn which would have done credit to expert tradesmen. A great deal of this credit was due to Mr Wraight, the Domain Board’s foreman. Mr Halliday a so expressed appreciation of the assistance given to the club ‘by ■ Mr Wilson, chairman of the Domain Board, who was the first to suggest the site as being suitable for a croquet club. THE OPENING FUNCTION. Mrs Briggs, president of the Otago Croquet Association, congratulated the . new club on its formation, and said it spoke of volumes, for the combination and devotion of its members in achieving so much in so short a time. It proved that nothing was impossible, and she was sure their efforts would be crowned with success. She extended tbe good wishes of the Otago Association to the members, and. wished them a happy season, Mr John Wilson, chairman of the Domain Board, said he had great pleasure

in being present at the official opening of ■ the club. A little while ago he had - stood one day on the edge of the St. Clair School, football ground, and thought , what , a perfect place this valley in the sandhills ' w'ould be-for a croquet club. And when a "deputation, of ladies waited on him ! some time later, for the purpose of acquiring some portion of the domain for just that object, he immediately sug- . gested this particular area. The permission was granted, with the result that the lawns are now playable, and were for all time a public asset. He wished the club every success in all its undertakings, and after playing the first hoop declared the club open for its first season. The pavilion was tastefully decorated in the club’s colours, and the gold and cream poppies and tulips that formed the table decorations called forth a chorus of admiration from the visitors. Unfortunately rain began to fall and the exhibition games that had been arranged by the committee were slightly marred. Mesdames Horn and Buchler played against Mesdames Cole and Corbet. Me.ssrs Nichol, Cole, Corbet, and J. Tanhock be- / cupied another lawn, while on the third Mesdames Will, M'Gregor, Wateon," and Miss Sparrow enjoyed a friendly contest. Representatives, of all the croquet clubs and many other sports bodies were present, and among the visitors were Mrs T. Rowe, secretary of the, Hawke’s Bay Association, and Mr George A. Hart, one of Timaru’s premier players, also Miss Hutchins, of Invercargill.