21st BIRTHDAY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 191, 9 May 1940, Page 4

21st BIRTHDAY

Celebrated By 300 Members Of Croquet Association

Nearly 300 members of the Wellington Croquet Association gathered yesterday afternoon to participate in the association's twenty-first birthday celebrations. The party was held in the D.I.C. tearooms, and during afternoon tea a two-tiered birthday cake, decorated with the colours, gold and black, was cut by the association president, Mrs. W. S. Austin. Trophies won by the clubs were presented by the mayoress of Wellington, Mrs. T. C. A. Hislop. A sheaf of flame gladioli and lemon roses was presented to Mrs. Hislop, and Mrs. Austin received a large basket of chrysanthemums, autumn leaves and maidenhair fern, presented by Mrs. It. Gardiner on behalf of all clubs. Mrs Hislop was in a two-piece wool tweed suit with stroller coat and fitting e>kirt and a brown fur-trimmed toque. Mrs. Austin’s parma violet ensemble was completed with a matching scalloped bolero and small straw hat. Guests seated at the official table included: Mrs. T. C. A. Hislop, Mrs. W. b. Austin, Lady Troup, Mrs. J. H. O’Donnell, Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. W. Calddw, Mrs. R. Gardiner, Mrs. Pocoek, Mrs. Ramsay, Miss Lempherd, foundation members of the association, including Mrs. G. Dryden, Mrs. Hendry, Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. E. Johnson, Mrs. Earl McKenzie, Mrs. Remington, and Mrs. C. Hollard, and Mrs. R. W. MeVilly, first vice-presi-dents. . Mrs. Austin, who has been connected with the association for a number of years, gave an interesting resume of the activities and work of this body, since its foundation in 1019. The late Lady Luke was the first president and Mrs. Austin said she thought there was no other association in New Zealand at the time, this being the first of its kind opened. Now there were 21 clubs belonging with a total membership of more than 550. The players were not only keen sportswomen, but when national necessity arose, she said, they did their part willingly, and irt present they were engaged in sewing and knitting to provide soldiers’ comforts. Mrs. Austin extended thanks to members for their kind thoughts on her behalf and for the flowers received.

A presentation was made to the association by Mrs. W. N, Walker, Woburn club, of a shield to be called the George McGill Memorial Shield for A grade interclub match competition, this being won by Wellington 1 for the first time. Other shields were presented by Mrs. Hislop as follows:—A grade interclub, Rhodes-Williams Vase, Kelburn 3, second; intermediate interclub, Bennett Shield, Wellington; B grade iuterclub, Association Shield, Ngaroma; half-team interclub, Matilda McGill Shield, Hataitai.

The first A grade shield, which was now filled, was presented to Kelburn club to keep for all time. The first B grade shield, which was also lllled, was presented to Ngaroma club to keep. Afternoon tea was served, after which Mrs. Austin cut tlie birthday cake. Before the afternoon ended presentations were made to Mrs. Earl McKenzie, who was retiring after 21 years’ continuous service as secretary and to Mrs. J.H. O’Donnell, who for the past 10 years has been bon. treasurer.

Dance For Kcd Cross. A social and danco in aid /of the men’s detachment of the New Zealand Red Cross (Wellington centre) will be held in tho Rechabite Hall, 125 Willis Street, Wellington, on Friday, May 10, at 8 p.m. An enthusiastic committee has tho necessary preparations well in hand, and those attending are assured of an enjoyable evening.