SPORTING AND SOCIAL LIFE.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 9817, 22 February 1936, Page 15

SPORTING AND SOCIAL LIFE.

A WELL-ENDOWED TOWN. IrajjpfeSTllTH its wealth of recreation grounds and facilities it follows that Cambridge should be a veritable paradise f° r l° vers f orm s of sport, while from the aspect of cultural and social recreation the town is well en- -* dowed. Followers of the turf are catered for by the Waikato Hunt meeting, which is regarded as one of the major racing fixtures in the province, while the Cambridge Trotting Club’s fixture also commands a prominent place in the annual calendar, and never fails to attract good support. ,In addition to racing, the exhilarating sport of hunting, a sport for which the district has long been renowned, is followed by a large number of riders, the Hunt Club’s meets being a feature of the winter season. Football, hockey, and cricket also claim many followers, while particularly fine facilities are available for the popular sports of bowling and tennis. The fine bowling greens, set in the beautiful surroundings of Te Koutu Park, are regarded as being equal to the Dominion’s best, and the annual Easter tournament is certainly one of the most important in the country, attracting teams from many parts. There are also fine croquet lawns in Cambridge, which are fully used during the season. Popularity of Tennis. Tennis, the sport which has attracted a great following in recent years, has received full consideration in Cambridge, where the principal club possesses eight fine hard courts in Te Koutu Park. Scattered throughout the district, within handy reach of the town, are at least a dozen tennis clubs, with a membership totalling nearly 1000 players. Many fine private courts have also been laid down. The town also possesses golf links, which are handily situated within a few hundred yards of the borough boundary, and are widely used by local and- visiting players. Polo is another sport for which Cambridge is noted. Another important phase of the district’s life, is the annual exhibition of the Waikato Central Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which never fails tp attract solid support from all parts of the Waikato. Extending over two days, this show includes the cream of the district’s stock, and is a reflex of the district’s agricultural and pastoral wealth. Of the many organisations which have been established in Cambridge for the public benefit, it is doubtful if any renders better service than the St. John Ambulance. Since its inception the brigade has attained a high standard of efficiency, and the attendance of members at sporting and other gatherings has resulted in a keen appreciation of their work. Hundreds of cases have been treated by the brigade, which has come to occupy a prominent place among the brigades of South Auckland. An up-to-date ambulance, fully equipped, has been secured by the brigade, and has proved of inestimable "value to the town and district. A Home of Music. Cambridge has been long known as a home of music, a fact which is substantiated by the Dominion-wide interest in the annual musical, elocution and dancing competitions, which are conducted by the Competitions Society in the Town Hall. More so than in the majority of towns of its size, music plays a very important part in the life of Cambridge. The town also possesses an active debating society, which can claim a large following. As far as social facilities are concerned, the male population of Cambridge find congenial company at the meetings of the Orphan’s Club, which has grown in recent years to a large membership. Here again the love of music in the town is reflected in the excellent orchestra which has been established in the club. Another fine combination of musicians is the Cambridge Municipal Band, one of the leading brass bands in the Auckland province. Judged from every aspect there can be no doubt that Cambridge is well endowed with sporting and social facilities.