ON THE CROQUET LAWNS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1935, Page 13

ON THE CROQUET LAWNS

CLUBS OPEN THE SEASON

PROBLEM OF CORRECT FOOTWEAR.

ITEMS OF PERSONAL INTEREST.

(By

“Hoops.”)

Club opening days are to be held aS follows: — Kawaroa, October 17. Inglewood, October 17. Central, October 19. Coming Tournaments. Wairarapa championships, Masterton, November 12. Hawke’s Bay championships, Hastings, Novembei- 26. Canterbury championships, Christchurch, December 26. South Island championships, Timaru, January 7. North Island championships, Hastings, January 8. New Zealand championships, Palmerston North, January 22. South Auckland championships, Rotorua, February 3. Southland Association tournament, Invercargill, February 4. Wellington tournament, Wellington city, February 4. Manawatu tournament, Palmerston North February 11. Otago championships, Dunedin, February 18. Wanganui championships, Wanganui, February 20. West Coast championships, Greymouth, February 24. Southern Hawke’s Bay championships, Dannevirke, February 25. South Canterbury tournament, Timaru, February 27. New Zealand gold and silver mallets, Christchurch, March 4. Taranaki championships, New Plymouth, March 10. New Zealand gol.' and silver medals, New Plymouth, March 19. Association Meeting. A meeting of the croquet association was held last week, the president, Captain F. L. Hartnell, presiding over a full attendance of delegates. It was decided again to play all the inter-club competitions on similar lines to those of last season. Mesdames C. Ward, J. W. Harvey, R. Burke and V. H. Beal were elected a match committee and Captain Hartnell was appointed sole selector for the inter-association matches early in December. Draw for Competitions. . The match committee met on Friday when the Bennett Cup and Pellew Shield competitions were drawn. Following is the draw: — Bennett Cup. First round, October 22, 10 a.m.: New Plymouth A v. West End, at West End; New Plymouth B v. Kawaroa, at New Plymouth; Central v., Pukekura, at Central. Second round, November 5, 10 a.m.: New Plymouth A v. Central, at New Ply- * mouth; New Plymouth B v. West End, at West End; Pukekura v. Kawaroa, at Pukekura. Third round, November 19, 10 a.m.: New Plymouth A v. Kawaroa, at Kawaroa; New Plymouth B v. Pukekura, at Pukekura; Central v. West. End, at Central. Fourth round, December 3, 10 a.m.: New Plymouth A v. Pukekura, at New Plymouth; New Plymouth B v. Central, at Central; Kawaroa v. West End, at West End. Fifth round, December 17, 10 a.m.: New Plymouth A v. New Plymouth B, at New Plymouth; Central v. Kawaroa, at Kawaroa; Pukekura v. West End,, at Pukekura. Pellew Shield.

First round, October 22, 10 a.m.: West End v. Pukekura, at Pukekura; Kawaroa, a bye. Second round, November 5, 10 a.m.: Pukekura v. Kawaroa, at Kawaroa; West End a bye. Third round, November 19, 10 a.m.: West End v. Kawaroa, at West End; Pukekura a bye. New Plymouth Club Opening.

Splendid weather favoured the opening of croquet clubs at New Plymouth on Saturday, the New Plymouth club gathering being attended by more than 70 players and visitors. ! The president, Mrs. A. G. Johnson, expressed pleasure at the fact that so many visitors were present and extended an invitation to them to become members. She wished all players a happy season and called on Mrs. D. K. Morrison, a life member, to play the first ball. Greetings were received from West End and Pukekura Park club and representatives were present from Central and Kawaroa. Golf croquet was arranged by the club secretary, Mrs. J. W. Harvey. Mrs. Johnson, president, presented the prizes, which were won by Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Pauli. Mesdames Hollows and Crawford were the 'hostesses for the afternoon. The pavilion was decorated with Iceland poppies. Afternoon tea was served on the lawns. Pukekura Park.

Good lawns and fine weather favoured the opening of the Pukekura Park club. Miss Musker welcomed visitors and members and read greetings from New Plymouth, Fitzroy and West End. Miss Musker asked Mrs. McGahey to play the first ball. Golf croquet was won by Mrs. McGahey and Miss Gayner, the prizes having been given by the president and secretary (Mrs. Burke). Afternoon tea was served in the pavilion, the floral decorations in which were the work of Mrs. McGahey. Fitzroy Club. Fitzroy club members spent an enjoyable afternoon on Saturday, opening day. Mrs. J. A. Austin, president, played the first ball and declared the lawns open for play. She wished the members an enjoyable season. Competitions were won by Mrs. Loesch, Mrs. Vickers and Mrs. Thomas. Afternoon tea was served in the pavilion, which was decorated with spring blooms. West End Club.

Mrs. Tingey, president, extended a welcome to visitors and members at the West End opening on Saturday. She said with such fine lawns and pleasant surroundings all members were assured of a pleasant and enjoyable season. Referring to the condition of the lawns, Mrs. Tingey said praise was due to Mrs. Honeyfield for her untiring energy and co-operation with the caretaker, who spared no pains in bringing the lawns to their present condition. A silver challenge cup, the “Jull commemoration cup,” for competition among B players, was presented by Mr. F. Jull in memory of his wife. The cup was on view during the afternoon.

Captain Hartnell, president of the New Zealand Croquet Council, wished members an enjoyable season. A committee supervised by Mesdames Butt and McLean served afternoon tea in the pavilion, the tables being decorated with Iceland poppies and maples. Golf croquet was won by Mr. Mitchell and Mrs. Malcolm. Mrs. Honeyfield, greenwarden, played the first ball of the season. Inglewood Club.

Players and their friends have been invited to attend the Inglewood Club’s opening day. Competitions and golf croquet will be played.

Correct Footwear. What is the correct footwear for a croquet player to wear on the lawns? This question is often asked. Unfortunately the ruling given in the New Zealand Croquet Annual is not precise about what may be worn. Regulation 3 (9), page 97, stipulates that every competitor shall at all official tournaments wear such boots or shoes as cannot damage the court. The tournament manager is, however, the only authority about what may or may not harm the turf. Therefore it is possible to have a number of opinions about what it is permissible to wear. The English and Australian tournament regulations tighten up considerably the specification for a player’s footwear. They state „that boots or shoes must be “flat-soled. It is more than probable that the New Zealand council will next year follow the English regulations and insist on players wearing flat-soled boots or shoes at all council fixtures. Personal Items.

Mrs. A. Scandrett, Christchurch, will arrive at New Plymouth to-morrow. It is her intention to join the New Plymouth Club. Mrs. L. A. Brown, who has been spending several weeks at Wellington, expects to return to New Plymouth on Saturday.

Mrs. Penn, Remuera, visited the New Plymouth lawns on Saturday. Mrs. W. Read, who was an inmate of a private hospital, has returned to her home. Mrs. Westaway, Hawera, was present at the opening day of the Pukekura Club.