CROQUET, SEASON OPENED.

Shannon News, 18 October 1929, Page 2

CROQUET, SEASON OPENED.

■■■■ ■ ♦ —— STEADY PROGRESS SHOWN BY LEVIN CLUB, in cold but line weather, the Levin Croquet Club’s season was opened on Tuesda'y afternoon, in the presence of a large gathering, which included visitors from various parts of the district, also a party of members of the Levin Bowling Club, from the green adjoining the croquet lawns. The grounds were looking very well, and a bright touch of colour was given by the care-fully-tended flower beds. .Competition's of a varied character were arraged, and the afternoon was altogether an interesting one" The Mayor (Mr C. Blenkhorn), who

performed the opening ceremony, congratulated the club on being favoured with better weather than the bowlers had experienced for their opening day. His Worship said he had a paternal interest in the Croquet Club, having been connected with it —mostly professionally—since its inception. Eight or nine years ago the club decided to have its own ground —a very plucky

venture, as the amount that the club had in hand at that time was only £3. During the years that had ensued-they had made their greens and got them in splendid order, and the. amount of the # club’s indebtedness now was about- £lO. A good membership was essential, as it was from the members that the funds were derived. He had been astonished to learn that the present membership was only about twenty. That was altogether too few. Something should be done to stimulate interest in this fine game, and at least ten or a dozen more members should be got. The president (Mrs Nicholson) had that object very steadily in.view;

and to that end the club had resolved that the subscription of beginners should be £1 Is for the first year. The ordinary subscription was £2 2s. The new move was in. the right direction, and it was very cheering to note that there was a prospect Of getting quit.) a number of members for this season. Thus the club would go ahead by leaps and bounds, instead of having to study every shilling that was spent. The access to the lawns was held by courtesy of the bowlers, through whose grounds that croquet players had to

enter. That was quite nice, but he thought it would be still better if the Croquet Club had its own access. Such had really been provided for by a wise decision'of the original executive, ami it was only a matter of pounds, shillings and pence. His Worship heartily welcomed the visitors, who had come from Foxton, Shannon, Manakau and Otaki, among other places; he trusted that they would have a pleasant afternoon and carry away some of the. prizes in the various competitions that had been arranged. New members would receive tuition from some of the club’s experts on Friday afternoon. Reference was then made by the Mayor to Mr R. W. Percy, who had helped the club to mark out the

grounds and had rendered it many other services. Members were anxious that those services should be recognised, and therefore he asked Mr Percy to step forwardThe President then handed to Mr Percy a presentation from the club in token of its appreciation. His Worship wished the club a very happy and successful season, and said he trusted that the weather with which the opening had been favoured was only a sample of what the club would enjoy throughout the season. He also hoped that, the membership would increase to thirty or forty, that the small debt would be paid off, and that in time there would be a new entrance, flanked by rows of cars two or three deep. The Mayor officially declared the season open, and asked the Mayoress to drive the first ball, which she did successfully and amidst applause. All were hospitably entertained at afternoon tea by the club, and the competitions proceeded, being won as follows: —

Peg.—Mrs Keedwell. Angle. —Mrs Mason (Shannon) Golf. —Mrs Bryant (Manakau).

Ladder. —Mrs Perreau (Foxton). Trophies ivere given by Mesdames Nicholson, Brewster, Pink, and Dernpsej*. ' ~