CROQUET CLUB OPENINGS

Evening Star, Issue 22463, 7 October 1936, Page 17

CROQUET CLUB OPENINGS

Monteciilo Club. On Saturday afternoon, in glorious sunshine, the .Monteciilo Club opened the season for play. This club is fortunate in having its lawns in an ideal position, set in the midst of a city reserve, with the beautiful trees there and at the Monteciilo Hospital opposite, making a lovely background for the playing lawns, which are the envy of many other clubs. A very strong Lawns Committee, under the guidance of Mr Tannock, has had charge of these from the beginning, and the surface is very good indeed. The president, Mrs J. llhodes, received members and guests on arrival, and in a happy speech welcomed all to the opening ceremony. She had the pleasure of announcing that Mrs H. S. Reid had donated a handsome trophy for the B grade championship, and also of congratulating the club on the success of the winter entertainments. Mrs John M'Donald, secretary of the 0.C.A., spoke on various points in croquet, especially for those beginning the game, and urged them to master thoroughly the rules, which at times seem difficult and intricate, hut which are clearly set out in the ‘ Croquet Annual.’ After that, she said, they must have good tuition, and, lastly, long and conscientious practice at the various shots to bring themselves to the standard of match play. She wished the club the best of success in outside competitions. Mrs Briggs (president 0.C.A.) congratulated the Monteciilo Club on being the winners of the association ferns, always a coveted honour, and declared the lawns open for 1936-37. Mrs H. W. Reid, who has the honour of being one of the first players in Dunedin, ran the first hoop. Afternoon tea was served in the pavilion, which was prettily decorated for the occasion, under the direction of Miss Rhodes. Games were played on the lawns and competitions enjoyed, the winners of the latter being Mesdames Swann, H. M'Donald, and W. Black. Watea Club. The Watea Club was fortunate in the weather on Tuesday, when its lawns were opened for play in the presence of a very large number of members and guests. Mrs W. E. Gibson, president, offered a welcome to all, and apologised for absent members. The club, she said, was entering upon its fourth season, and, although one of the youngest, was one of the largest in Dunedin. Under the supervision of Mr Moore, the lawns were in excellent condition, and the club had now five ready for play. Mrs Briggs wished the members good sport fop the coming season. This club, she said, had a winning way, and had in times past held both senior and junior shields, and this year had captured the intermediate honours as well. As there was no shield for this grade, she presented the captain, Mrs O’Donnell, with the association certificate, which she accepted for the club. Mr John Wilson, of the Domain Board, spoke appreciatively of the lawns, which provide a beautiful green spot on the sandhills. He then declared the lawns open and ran the first hoop.. Afternoon tea was served on the verandah and round tho lawns, the pavilion being prettily decorated with blossom and spring flowers for the occasion. Games were arranged, and a pleasant hour’s play enjoyed. Taieri Club. The opening of tho Taieri Club, which was arranged for October 14, has boon postponed until Thursday afternoon, the 15th.