SPORTS AND CLUBS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4921, 4 January 1926, Page 3

SPORTS AND CLUBS.

-1 PROGRESS, IN PAEROA. SEVERAL NEW INSTITUTIONS. / During the year just ended Paeroa can claim to have worthily upheld the traditions of sport in its various forms and in addition several new clubs have been formed. , The' premier game, Rugby, held its own, and although to_ some extent handicapped, by lack of-playing facilities, nearer to the town, a successful season eventuated. Owing to the improvements to the domain! the Rugby Union was bereft of a playing field *Mor the f season, but with true sporting spirit the Ohinemuri Jockey Club loaned'a portion of its property and thus enabled the competitions to be carried on. The golf dub, both ladies and men, received fair support, and .the different competitions were entered into witli zest. Early in the season an enthusiastic band of young ladies formed a hockey < club and met with varying success. A number of inter-club matches were played and much valuable experience was gained, and the prospects, for the club during the coming winter appear to be very bright. Last year individual members of the club gained representative honours by inclusion - in the Goldfields team. . Through the energies of the local high’school a basketball association was, formed early in May, and in addition to-winning a shield at Te Aroha five teams, comprising over sixty players, took part in the .local shield, competitions. ■ . Tennis, bowling, .and cricket have also been well supported.by those participating in summer games. Numerous, 'inter-club matches have been played both here and away, and the competitions provided by the. respective clubs have been well patronised and the different ■ branches of sport kept well an the limelight in the district; .-Quite recently an .athletic club was Jjafornied under the of the Northern Athletic Association. With a strong commimttee and an,energetic secretary this club seems to be assured of support and success. An-ath-letic gathering at Paeroa this sum-mer-is. being looked forward to with interest;. ■ The Boy Scout movement was resuscitated, and now boasts of a troop rover: sixty strong. This organisation recently held a sports meeting in the ■ domain as a means of raising funds for a summer encampment for the boys. The project was well supported, and a substantial sum was gathered in. . DOMAIN IMPROVEMENTS. Paeroa is particularly fortunate, and is the envy of other towns. in *—having a charming domain situated in the heart of the town. Realising the value of outdoor sport the Domain Board has. carried out extensive improvements during the year. The unsigh.tly open drain in the middle of the playing field has been piped and filled in and the whole area levelled, ploughed, and re-sown-in grass. As a result of this, there are now two football and one hockey fields available for the coming season. The fences dividing the playing area from the garden portion, have been renewed, and an up-to-date women's restroom has been erected adjoining the croquet ■ lawn. The whole area, surrounded by beautiful native trees and shrubs, is now- a domain worthy of the name, and one that is- a credit to the town. THE ORPHANS’ CLUB. At the beginning of the winter an club was ’ formed, and many enjoy able and instructive sessions were held. The membership now stands at something approaching 150, and the institution i,s practically free of debt in the first year of its, existence. Visits were paid fiy .the Auckland, Thames, and Te Aroha clubs during'’ the season, and much enjoyment resulted, A pleasing feature of the Orphan’s Club was the formation of an orchestra, from which talent has come forward and other orches.- ( .tras formed. Paeroa was s.adly lacking in musical matters, and a longfelt want has now been filled. In addition 'to providing amusement and pleasure for its members the Orphans’ Club 'was instrumental in raising a substantial sum of money towards the equipment of the fire brigade. Also, recently it wds the means of bringing a Thames amateur opratic party to Paeroa, wl)ere the staging of a play resulted in a good sum being handed over to' the local High School' Committee for the purpose of carrying out further improvements And the provision of playings facilities at the school. The local Chamber of Commerce is at present interesting itself in the provision of swimming baths in the town, and a committee has been set up to collect data for submission to . the next meeting of the chamber. Swimming facilities are fast becoming a necessity in the .twyn, and it is earnestly hoped that when particulars become available the project wtfl meet with the hearty support it deserves. ' ....