CROQUET

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 91, 17 April 1929, Page 4

CROQUET

NEW ZEALAND TEAM » TRIP TO AUSTRALIA AIACROBERTSf)N INTERNATIONA!?. SHIELD (By Arthur G. F, Ross, president of the Croquet Council of New Zealand, and six times open champion of the Dominion.) Since the organising of the game of croquet in the Dominion of New Zealand, by Dr. Edgar Whittaker, less than a decade ago, the sport has been tenaciously pursued by many hundreds of zealous admirers of the endless attractions of this tonic giving open air pastime, with the result that now croquet clubs have been formed and are being successfully run in every town of eon sequence throughout the entire Dominion.

Six Tinies Open Champion of N.Z... Not only have many of the aspirants to first class play, achieved their ambitions in this direction, but many have reached a stage as near to perfection as possible, and quite a number can now hold their own amongst players from any country in the world. Inspired by the spontaneous benevolence of Mr Macßobcrtson, of Al elbourne, Victoria, who has presented a massive international croquet shield for competition, the Croquet Council of New Zealand are endeavouring to arrange that a team representing the Dominion ho selected for the purpose of challenging Victorian players, who are the holders of the coveted trophy.

In Meditative Mood Air Alacßobertson, the donor, who is a Alclbourne merchant —an acknowledged multi-millionaire and a public benefactor —enthused by the skill required to play the game, notwithstanding his multifarious business engagements finds time to frequent the croquet lawns of Afelbourne ’where he enjoys relaxation, from the daily routine of business. The. Alacßobertson International Shield was presented for competition in 1925. During the “Home Country’’ summer of that year, the Victoria Croquet Council sent a team to England to play for the trophy for the first time. On this occasion England won. In the Australian summer of 1928, Victoria again challenged England for the prize, and after many keenly contested games and many thrills, recaptured the “Gold Cup’’ by one game. The conditions of play for this International award are briefly:— The trophy shall be open to competition by teams representative of their respective nations. For the purpose of these competitions, England (including Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland), India and each of the Dominions and Crown Colonies shall be deemed to be a nation. Each competition shall consist of three Test matches, but that number may by mutual .agreement be increased to five. Teams: A team representing a nation shall consist of four, five, or six players at the option of the visiting nation. Qualifying Conditions of Play: AH associated club players in the Dominion with a New Zealand handicap of one bisque or under, are eligible to compete, and the selected team will consist of those players who have by their play meritoriously won their laurels in test games; these games to be played specifically for the purpose of playing as a representative of New Zealand. POUKAWA HACK HANDICAP

(Of 180 sovs; six furlongs) Bernera .... 9 2. Dimmer .... 7 4 Second Keen .... 73 Thought 8 5 Night Witch 7 0 Sylvan Dell . 8 0 Shortly .... 7 0 Irish Court 7 10 Joy Germ . 7 0 Royal Elm .. 7 9 Lucky One 7 0 Flying Binge 7 9 Kingly* .. .. 7 0 St. Melba .. 7 9 Tom Byrne . 7 0 Kahu Ariki . 7 7 Highland Gold Bag . 7 5 Mystery 7 0 Monetize .... 7 5 Joskin .... 70 Imp. Fame . 7 5 Seamstress .. 7 0 AUTUMN HANDICAP (Of 130 sovs; nine furlongs) Teri .... 8 9 Comical .... 7 10 Kaiti .. .. 8 9 Queen’s Choice 7 0 Jeannette .. 8 1 Thrift .. .. 7 G Rowley .... 80 Good Sport .. 74 Huikai .. .. 7 13 Tanagra .. 7 2 ! Starboard Light 7 13 Spearmiss . 7 0 i PORANGAHAU HANDICAP (Of 200 sovs; six furlongs) Toxeuma . . 8 9 Huikai .... 74 Great Charter 8 4 Royal Duke .. 7 3 Mon Bird . 7 12 Merry Mint 7 2 Kaihoro . * .. 7 12 Miss Ransom 7 0 Epistle .... 77 Good Sport .. 70 Helotis .... 7 C