THE Hauraki Plains Gazette with which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto : Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1929. SUMMER AND WINTER SPORTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5409, 10 April 1929, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette with which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto : Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1929. SUMMER AND WINTER SPORTS.

The end of summer has come, and with it the cessation of summer spoi'ts. Though the various clubs have not secured for Paeroa and themselves any great number of trophies, every one has had a most successful season otherwise. And after all, is it not true that the true sporting spirit seeks not for material rewards, but plays for the pure love of the game ? Naturally, prizes are welcome, are an added inducement to win for the honour of the club, and are productive of justifiable pride, besides undoubtedly causing improvement in team and individual prowess ; but after all, in the very hackneyed but very true adage, “the play’s the thing,”' and thoroughly has Paeroa enjoyed her summer games. Although bowling activities have not as yet finished for the year, the important events are over. The Paeroa Club captured numerous prizes from other teams, and the club competitions themselves have been instrumental in creating keen interest in the game. The admission of ladies to the greens has- proved a most excellent innovation, surprising talent having been found among them. The Paeroa Cricket Club, whose season ends next Saturday with the second day’s play of a two-days match with Matamata, at Matamata, to decide the champions of the Piako Cricket Association, had on the whole a most successful season. The team won in the Northern section of the Piako Cricket Association, and showed marked improvement in every direction over last year, especially in bowling. The players are retaining their interest and ardour until the last minute, which speaks well for their enthusiasm. Perhaps the most successful of all summer sports bodies was the Swimming Club, which, though it only concluded its first season last Saturday, has established itself with a provincial, if not a Dominion, reputation. The club’s galas, with full attendances of spectators, were productive of excellent swimming, promising the evolution of • champions from among the club members. That these galas did good for swimming in the North Island, and for Paeroa in other ways as well, was evident. To the instructors the-greatest credit is due for giving their time voluntarily, and for the successes their protegees achieved. Special mention has to be made of the school teaching staff and the bath custodian, by whose efforts many children gained their swimming certificates, and thereby gained an advantage towards their life insurance. The Tennis Club did not bring any “pots” home, but it certainly had a wonderfully successful and enjoyable year. The membership jumped from 80 to 110, making an increase of 80 in five years. The club is indeed fortunate in possessing grounds which, through the foresight and thought of the club’s founders are untrammelled by any interference from outside sources. The courts belong absolutely to the members, to do what they like with, to play on when they like. Being cognisant with what has occurred to other tennis clubs, they are to be congratulated The Rifle Club, more or less an all-the-year-round organisation, competed in the principal away events during the summer. The club’s representatives secured some splendid wins at Auckland in the Auckland Association’s shoot, and at Waihi in the South Auckland competition. A member of ■ the club was chosen for New Zealand to shoot against Australia, and returned bringing honour for his country and his club. Taking into coitsideration the short while the club has been in existence, this is a wonderful record.

Now that a regretful good-bye has been said to summer sports, it is time to welcome the winter ones. Rugby, hockey, golf, etc., wil soon be in full swing, and one canot fail to hope that the good fellowship and team spirit that were synonymous with those jirtt reviewed will 'be emulated by their oncoming successors—a hope that, judging by past events, is sure to be fulfilled. So, to winter sports clubs every success and a most enjoyable season !