HIKUTAIA NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4544, 28 March 1923, Page 3

HIKUTAIA NEWS.

- tennis. The tennis match, Turua v. Hikutaia, which was played on Saturday on the grounds of the Hikutaia Club under ideal weather conditions, 'resulted in a decided victory for the visitors by 125 games to 72. Several excellent, games were witnessed, and the unstinted applause of the numerous spectators not only showed their keen interest in the match, but their high appreciation of the individual strokes. Although the margin in favour of the victors was cohsideiable, the figures were not a fair estimate of the merits of the respective teams, and the home players have no reason to be ashamed of their defeat at the hands of a team that played a stronger game and displayed a conv bination that the members of the younger club should practice in order to emulate the skill of the older and more experienced players. At‘the conclusion of the match Mr McMillan, on behalf of the Turua Club, acknowledged the hospitable reception accorded to them, and extolled the sportsmanlike way in which the various games had been contested. The hospitality of the home clun would be hard to excel, and the ample justice done to substantial lunch and the dainty afternoon tea spoke eloquently of the appreciation of the visitors, in whose behalf he would like to acknowledge their; indebtedness to the hostesses, Mesdames A. W. Alley, L. Alexander, and J. Elliot. At Mr McMillan’s call a hearty round of cheers was given to all concerned.

Mr J. Elliot, in the absence of the president of the Hikutaia Club, Mr A. W. Alley, acknowledged in fitting terms the kindly,' if somewhat flattering remarks made by . Mr McMillan. He acknowledged the handsome defeat, which they took with equanimity- in the hope that the local club, benefiting by the play of the visitors, would some day soon be able tp tui l the tables. Inter-club games, such as these, he said, engendered a fine spirit of emulation and tended toraisp the standard of play of both clubs, but especially of the defeated playets. Hikutaia had lost to a superior team, and the superiority of the play, as well as the modesty of the victors were object lessons worthy of emulation. All had enjoyed the visit of theTurua club, and hoped that the first match would be the forerunner of many others.

Appended are the details of the play, the •names of the visitors being placed first:— Men’s Doubles : Robinsoo and McMillan v. G. and 0. Gibb, 6—l; Walker and Bell v. H. Morrison and Paetai, 5—6; Henry and Bathgate v. R Ramson and R. Alexander, 6 3 ; Billing and Spencer v. A'. W. Alley and Young, 6 —l. Ladies* Doubles. Misses Gibb and Darby v. Misses Walker and G. Gibb, 3—6; Miss Miller and Mrs McMillan v. Miss Frost and Mrs A. W. Alley, 5—6. Ladies’ Singles: Miss Gibb v. Miss Walker, 6—l ; Miss Darby v. ‘ Miss G. Gibb. 6 —6 ; Mrs McMillan v. Miss Frost, 6 —3; Miss Miller v. Mrs Alley, 6 —o. Combined Doubles: Miss Gibb and Robinson v. Miss Walker, and G. Gibb, 6 —3 ; Miss Darby and McMillan v. Miss G. Gibb-and C. Gibb, 3—6 ; Mrs McMillan and Bell v. Miss Frost and Morrison, 6—3; Miss Miller and Mules v. Mrs Alley and Paetai,, 6-1-Men Singles: Robinson v. G. Gibb, 6_l ; McMillan v. C. Gibb, 6—l; Walker v. H. Morrison, 6—3; Bathgate v. Paetai, 3—6; Henry v. L. Alexander, 6—2; Billings v. R. Samson. 6—4 ; Spencer v. Young, 6—3; Mules v. A. W. Alley, 6 —3. SOCIAL. The first of a series of Saturday night socials, organised by the members of the Hikutaia Tennis Club, took place in the hall on Saturday night. The splendid weather conditions attracted a .large attendance, numerous visitors being present from Thames. Paeroa, Wharepoa, nad Netlterton.. The dancing to the splendid music of Mrs Potter was gieatly en joyed, the M’s.C., Messrs E. Alley and S. Lemo'n, being most assiduous in their attention to the numerous guests. About 10 o'clock a. light supper was handed round, those in charge of the commissariat for this occasion being Mrs J. Elliot and Misses Frost and Walker, with the secretary, Mrs A. W. Alley, all of whom, with their little band of willing workers, are to ,be congratulated on the success that attended their work and organisation. The euchre competition was well contested, and it was found, when , the cards were handed in, that Miss Norah Corbett was the winner of the lady’s prize, a pair of bronze vases, and Mr J. Smith the winner of the gentleman’s a bronze ink-stand. It was announced that the committee intended to donate handsome prizes to the lady and gentleman attaining the highest aggregate throughout the series of competitions to be held in connection with the tennis socials. GENERAL MEETING. A general meeting of the members of the Hikutaia Tennis Club was held in the District School last Friday night. Mr W. H. Alley presiding over a very fair attendance. In opening the meeting the chairman explained that the increased membership of the tennis and croquet clubs rendered it necessary for each club to have its own organisation rather than the combined organisation that had hitherto obtained. This was the opinion of the executive committee as well as of the players themselves. The separation of the two ciui,s would, conduce to the promotion of the best interests of all concerned. The election of office-bearers was then proceeded with, the following appointments being made : President, Mr A. W. Alley; vice-presidents, Messrs M. C. Smith and V. Young; secretary, Mrs A. W. Alley; representative on the executive committee, Mr M. C. Smith ; general committee, Mrs J. Elliot, Misses Frost and Walker, Messrs E. Alley, G. and C. Gibb, and S. Lemon; selection committee, Miss Walker, Messrs L. Alexander and C. Gibb. It was decided to continue the ladder competitions, and the representative on the executive committee was

asked to draw atteritioh to the need that existed for the proper levelling of one of the courts, and the laying down of a third court in grass, room for which had already been providedCommittees were appointed to manage the Saturday afternoon teas and to hospitise the visitors who took part in inter-club matches. SPORT. The prospects for a successful shooting season do not appear very bright. Pheasants are reported *o be scarce, while duck and Cailfornian quail are not very abundant in the neighbourhood of the settlement . To obtain a moderate bag shooters will have to go far back. ALLEY MEMORIAL PARK. The contest for the silver rooster presented for competition among the members of the bowling club by Mr Harris, of Paeroa, attracted a considerable number of bowlers to the green on Saturday afternoon. Competition was keen and exciting, and attracted quite, a number of The croquet lawn was in constant use throughout the afternoon, while the large attendance at the tennis match kept things animated. LANDING STAGE. The landing stage on the creek •near Alley’s bridge is nearing completion, and with the building of the chute the Hauraki Plains County Council will soon be able to load their barges with the road metal so much needed on the Plains. ROADS. Work has been commenced on the mile of road leading from the Hotel corner towards Thames. The surface has been scarified, and the necessary steps taken to transform an especially bad part of the road into, at, least, a passable condition. The work having been begun no pronouncement on .the value of the experiment can yet be made. At all events,, the ‘Hast state" cannot be worse than the first. PRIZES. . The prizes won by the pupils of the District School were presented to the winners on Friday afternoon by the chairman of the School Committee, who attended at, the school for the purpose. Those won by the pupils of the Hikutaia West school,, as well as the “consolation” prizes, will be given out at a later date.