CROQUET NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 86, 8 October 1931, Page 21

CROQUET NOTES

BY -concentrate"

CLUB OPENINGS. ! Eastbourne, Sth October; Lyall Bay, Bth Octobor; Kelburn, 14tU 'October; Wellington, Hth October; Hatuna, 14tli October; Seatoun, 15tu \October; Kangamalre, 20th October. COMING TOURNAMENTS. Manuwatu (Palmerston North), 20th November; South Island (Tinmru), 4Ui January; North Island (Palmerston North), 6th January; Dominion (Wancunul). 18th January; Wellington (Hutt), 2nd February; Gold Medal (Hastings), about Ist March; H.B. Tourney (Hastings), about Ist March; Southern H.B. (Uannevlrke), ; Cambridge, S6lh March;. Des'pito the cold and changeable weather great "enthusiasm is being displayed at -the various club openings, and the season 1931-32 promises to bo a busy'and interesting one. General play, however, has not commenced owing to the sodden condition of the lawns. Most of the. clubs have a record membership, there' now being ,600U players in the Dominion, of which oOU belong to the Wellington district. The Late Mr. Ferguson. Deep regret will be felt at the loss sustaiued by the council and its associates through the death in July last of Mr. C. A. E.-. Ferguson, of Palmerston North,' and the sympathy of players is extended to the relatives of the deceased gentleman. Mr. Ferguson was an enthimastie worker in the interests of the game, being secretary and. treasurer of the New Zealand Council for ; eleven years. :j ;.., Croquet Annuals. The 1931-32 annuals have now come >to haud, and quite a number of alteration's''to rules have been made. Rule ..10a has often caused a good deal of discussion, but should now be quite clear, in that the word "commencing" has been added and "final' deleted, the rule now reading: "The striker shall be deemed to be commencing to tako aim when he has taken ' his stance to address the ball with intent to make a stroke." Eulo 10b also defines more clearly that a stroke has commenced if the mallet moves the ball in taking aim or if the mallet is swung forward or downward with intent to strike, except in taking croquet when; the' balls have fallen apart and the mallet is stopped in the swing without striking the balls. 'The following addition, has: been made to rule 35: Should a striker (in doubles) play the first stroke of a turn with his partner's ball any replay or continuation of that turn shall be made by tho same striker with his correct ball. V Players will also be glr.d to havo 'it clearly defined that in adjusting a ball.

for taking croquet, although tho ball may be steadied off which croquot is beiug taken, it may. not bo moved or pressed into the ground without tho consent of tho adversary or umpire. In handicap play should a player peg out his own ball before his partner's ball has become a rover, all strokes subsequent to hitting the peg are null and void. According to rule 42c there is no penalty attached, and he may replace such ball to the satisfaction-of the adversary. .■'.■'• In connection with the placing of clips the striker, in the event of his placing any clips incorrectly, is responsible for any error, in play arising therefrom, and should an adversary ; inake a stroke under a misapprehension he is entitled to replace the balls and re-commence his turn,' provided he claims to do so before the second stroke of the subsequent turn. • As far as the Tules of the; game laic concerned these : are the onlyt alterations for this season. Personals. ; Th Wellington Club is fortunate in having the following players join their ranks this season: Mrs. Boocock (Haeremai)," Mrs. Hogan (late cham-pion-of Eotorua), and Mrs. A. Stone (late of Kelburn). ' Miss D.- M'Kenzie, an interested spectator of the game for some time past, has how become a playing member, having joined the H,aeremai Club. •! Mr. Windsor Richards, the wellknown English croquet player, hopes to arrive in the Dominion in time to participate in the various tournaments, in which case in the double events he will be partnered with Mrs. W. E. Caldow (Wellington). Mr. Eichards, it will be remembered, was in New Zealand two years ago, and took a keen interest in not only improving the play of low bisqued players but in instructing beginners in the rudiments of the game. Mrs. Scott (Hataitai) ia at present on a visit to Marlborou&b. Mrs. E. J. Bassott (Masterton) has been appointed hon. secretary of the Wairarapa Croquet Association. Mrs. Bodkin, who has been indisposed for some time r is , now: convalescent. Association Competitions. Entries for inter-club matches. A, inteimediate, and B, also entries for Pollock Stars, Association Ferns, and Jl'Kenzie Gups, are now closed, and the Match Committee will meet shortly to arrange the draw. There is a large number of entries, so that competition should be keen.