NEW CROQUET GREEN

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 128, 26 November 1929, Page 7

NEW CROQUET GREEN

ASKED FOR NEWTOWN

CLUB CRAMPED

There is every indication that if there were more level ground in Wellington ; croquet .would keep pace with the rapid [growth of all other sports, as more ladies are anxious to play than there is accommodation for. Yesterday afternoon a i deputation from the. Newtown Croquet I Club, consisting of Mesdames Robins and Booth, and Miss Petersen, waited on the [Reserves Committee. . .

The deputation was introduced by Mr. K. MKeen, M.P., wRo said that although most other districts had been assisted to a croquet lawn, Newtown so far had not, and there had been an agitation for some time amongst the ladies there to secure one. The ladies present represented a club that had been playing on a piece of ground adjacent to the Newtown BowliDg Club. That land was on private lease, which was expiring. Some time ago the Director of Reserves (Mr. J. G. Mackenzie) had met a number of ladies, and with them had visited a number of spots round Newtown, with an eye to the construction of a croquet lawn. One piece of ground opposite the Zoo was thought to be ideal, and they now wished the Reserves Committee to undertake the work of forming a lawn there, as they, wished to play on that lawn nei:t year.' They were prepared to provide £100 towards the cost if the City Council would push the work on at once, as when their lease expired they would have nowhere to play. '

Mrs. Kobins said that the members of the club had agreed to form a new club on the Manchester street side referred to by Mr. M'Keen, provided that the Cit3' Council was favourable. The club was formed originally for the wives of the [members of the Newtown Bowling Club, [who had secured the- lease of the ground for them. The ladies also paid a greenI keeper. They were prepared to contribute to the cost ,of a pavilion and conveniences, as well as to provide the £100 mentioned.

The green, said Miss Petersen, was too small. They could not "separate" properly, nor could they ask the members of other clubs to play in competitions there, even if the lease was assured. They would like to have two courts. ' The chairman of the Reserves Committee (Councillor B. G. H. Burn) said that the deputation had come at a bad time; in fact, they Had left it a little late as there was no money to spare for new works, but though they would not have their green this year, the committee would seriously consider the matter, and he had no doubt that their requests would be conceded in time.

The committee did not seem, sure that thui -work could be done as unemployment relief, as was suggested by Councillor JUKeen, who pointed out that in that case they would have £200 instead of £100.