CROQUET.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20237, 22 February 1934, Page 16

CROQUET.

World Championships at Melbourne. N.Z. TEAM INVITED. Will New Zealand be represented at the first world croquet championship? The event is likely to be held during the Melbourne Centenary celebrations, according to a letter received by the New Zealand Croquet Council from the organiser, Mr Cyril J. Miller. Mr Miller states that it is proposed to hold a monster croquet carnival for the celebrations and the Centenary Council has allotted the month of February, 1935. and the following month, if necessary, for the holding of the tournament. Mr Miller further states that it is his ambition to have some 2000 players taking part In international, inter-state, country tournaments and open championship matches. A team of four or more is invited from New Zealand to play in a series of matches for the Mat— Robertson Trophy and to compete in the world championship and other matches. The New' Zealand Council is asked to make the effort successful by sending a team so that the carnival will not only be successful but also so that the members of the team will be recorded in tradition when the history of the celebrations is written. In conclusion, Mr Miller says that England is likely to be represented and that a triangular contest for the international trophy would be an excellent attraction for the public. So far no decision has been reached by the New Zealand Council, but if the associations affiliated to the council are prepared to contribute a small sum through each member the team will be certain to make the trip. Altogether there are sixteen associations affiliated to the council and the playing strength is over 5000. From the results of previous matches with Australia and England it has been shown that the standard of croquet in New Zealand is high. The country is particularly fortunate in the strength of her leading players at the present time and on the score of play a representative team would worthily uphold the name made in other sporting directions. However, the question of expense will be the deciding factor. The cost of the trip has not yet been arrived at, but if the 5000 players were prepared to contribute Is per head a team could easily be sent. The associations are to be circularised, asking for an opinion, and until such time as their respective decisions come to hand, nothing can be done in the matter. However, taking a line through the fine response from the players on the occasion of the last visit to Australia, it is not anticipated that any trouble will be encountered.