CROQUET.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17984, 1 April 1930, Page 3

CROQUET.

; OUTH AUCKLAND CLU: THE ANNUAL MEETING. MANY MATTERS DISCUSSED. During the past few years the gam: of croquet lias progressed at a remarkable rate in the South Auckland district, and now occupies a prominen place in the activities of the ladies o. this part of the Dominion. In othci parts, too, the game has become increasingly popular. Yesterday afternoon the South Auckland Croquet Association held its annual meeting in St. Paul’s Methodist Schoolroom, London Street. Besides local club members and visitors there were present delegates from Te Aroha, Otorohanga, Puketaha, Matamata. Morrinsville, Cambridge Domain, and all the Hamilton clubs. The chair was occupied by the president (Mrs E ; Bartlett). In extending a welcome to the visitors and delegates Mrs Bartlett said that the association had just com-' pleted a season successful from every aspect. The financial position particularly Avas very satisfactory. The membership totalled 570, a large figure for a district such as this. . She considered that the South Auckland, district could well be divided into two sections. ! The Annual Report. I The activities of the past year were reviewed in the annual report. Four new clubs have become affiliated, bringing the total to twenty-eight, with a membership of 570. The association was represented at. the Dominion tournament by Mrs. Bartlett and Mrs Kibblewhite, "while 1 Mrs Kibblewhite also acted as delegate to the New Zealand Council. During the past week a very successful tournament has been conducted on local lawns. Large entries, totalling 52, were met with in each event, and many keenly contested games resulted. Visitors from the country have been much in evidence, and.it is hoped that next year many of them will participate in the competitions. Few matches have been played in the "Stars and Buttons” competitions. Cambridge Domain Club are still the holders of the stars, while the Te Aroha Club have the buttons, which they wrested from Thames. The thanks of the association are due to the Hamilton and ' Frankton Clubs for the use of their lawns, and also to those ladies who, at no little inconvenience to themselves, have provided refreshment. The financial statement revealed a very satisfactory position, and was received with applause. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet the chairwoman commented upon the success of the season and the healthy condition of the association’s .finances. Speaking of the affiliation fees Mrs Bartlett said that clubs would greatly assist the association if they sent in their contributions in November, when they were due. This would obviate much unnecessary correspondence, and would thus lighten the heavy duties of the secretary. The delegate to the New Zealand Council (Mrs Kibblewhite) then read the annual report of the council, which struck an optimistic note for the future of the game. The Croquet Annual. Considerable discusison arose over a reference to the annual publication of the Dominion Council contained in the report. Last year the annual was not a financial success, owing to lack’of support, and at the meeting of the council a proposal 1o compel all club members to subscribe to the publication was put forth. Finality was not reached in the matter, which was left over for discussion by the clubs. At yesterday's meeting much controversy •was centred around the subject-, some speakers considering that such a proposal was unfair, while others thought that all croquet players should take the annual. Mrs Bartlett asked that a .vote should be taken as an indication of the members’ feelings. The annuals were to be sold for 9d instead of Is, if this scheme came into operation, the idea being that with an assured income the publication could be run without loss. Several speakers voiced their ‘ opinions, and Mrs Sayers (Claudelands) asked that the matter be deferred to enable individual clubs to discuss it. Mrs Fraser considered that if more advertisements Avere included in its pages the cost of publication Avould not rest so heavily on the council, as the advertisers would bear the brunt of the expense. Mrs Bartlett asked for the feeling of the meeting, and it Avas ultimately decided that the matter be left for the clubs to decide, the delegates to report at a later meeting. A proposal that there be tAVo vicepresidents on the Dominion Council instead of one, as at present, AA-as brought before the meeting for confirmation by Mrs Bartlett. —The proposal was carried. Mrs KibbleAA’hite moved that the New Zealand Council be asked to present to the South Auckland Association a cup for competition. These cups have been acquired by other associations, and she w T as of the opinion that this district Avas entitled to one also. — It Avas resolved to forAvard an application to the council. Election of Officers. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted —President, Mrs E. Bartlett; Alce-presidents, Mesdames Martin (Cambridge) and Martin (Morrinsville); secretary, Mrs W. Fraser; treasurer, Mrs AndreAVs; delegate to New Zealand Croquet Council, Mi's Kibblewhite; handicapper for South Auckland, Mi's Bartlett. General Business, Speaking of handicapping, Mrs Kibblewhite Avas of the opinion that all clubs should play on the Dominion handicaps. Mhs Fraser suggested that the association should provide some cups and trophies for competition in each of the three grades. The expense entailed would not be great, and the financial position Avould not be at all affected. It was decided to obtain lavo cups if the Dominion Council present one, and, failing this, three cups Avill be provided for competition. A donation Avas voted to the Hamilton Club for the use of their lawns and crockery during tournament play. The matter of equipment Avas brought before the meeting by Mi's Bartlett, who said that it Avas advisable to purchase new gear for championship play, as the present equipment •was, generally, not in the best of condition. Some discussion arose over this, and as an alternative it Avas de-

aided to hire the necessary gear from the Dominion Council for next year's championship tournament.

Regarding the stars and buttons, a delegate suggested that these should be awarded for points, instead of for games. Several speakers Avere strongly against this, and considered that the present system Avas in the best interests of the players, so no move Avas made.