CROQUET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10536, 10 August 1912, Page 7

CROQUET.

CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION,

A meeting of the Canterbury Croquet Association was held on Saturday, at tlie president's effica; present—Ai.ts.iis H. S. B.ackburne (president), Laurie (liniaru), Butterwortii (Ashburton), Liii (Tomuka), Macintosh Bruce (Rangiora), Wood (St Albans), Johnson (Sumner) and Clark (.secretary). The president referred to the resolution that steps should be taken to arrange for a competition for a New Zealand croquet championship, and that, if practicable, this should be done through the formation of a New Zealand Croquet Association. Ho said that he had made all necessary inquiries as to tho practicability of the propo»a.s. As a result, he found that, outside Canterbury, croquet organisation was in such a backward state, that the materials did not exist for tho formation of a New Zealand Croquet Association on anv satisfactory basis. It was therefore out of the question to start New Zealand championship competitions under the control of such- a body for a good many years to come. However, through the generosity of Mrs Murray-Aynsley and Mr lull, who had offered trophies for a New Zealand open championship and New Zealand ladies championship, it was possible to hold a dominion competition in conjunction with the, annual Christmas tournament of the Canterbury Association, under the management of that body. He was himself willing to give one of tho two trophies required for tho New Zealand doubles; and it.only needed another trophy for the doubles and a few subscriptions towards tho prize-list. After some discussion, it was resolved that the best thanks of the Association should be given to the donors of the trophres, and that a competition for New Zealand championships should be arranged in connection with the annual tournament of the Canterbury Association. It was resolved that an improved for». of ladder competition amongst the members of .tho various clubs in the Association should be substituted for the status competition of last year, and revised regulations for club ladder competitions on these lines and also for inter-club match competitions were passed. An alteration was made in Rule 5 of the Association to the effect that included in tho list of officers there should be not exceeding six in numbor. and- also a referee 'and a handicappcr.

It was deoided that, in all matches and tournaments in connection with the Association during the coming season., the setting should bo that known as the No. 2 setting in tho laws of croqxiet, and that, so far as Canterbury events were concerned, the" internal width of hoops should! be four inches; but that, as regards New Zealand events in the championship tournament, the width of hoops should he left with (lie Tournament Committee to determine. "With the consent of the donors, it was decided that, in future, the competitors for Mr Croxton's cun for the Canterbury championship, and Mrs MurrayAynsley's trophy for the Canterbury ladies' championship, should be limited to members of clubs belonging to the Association arid living in the province of Canterbury. Mr Blackburno was appointed referee, and Mr Butterworth was appointed handicapper for tho ensuing season.