TALK ABOUT TOWN.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 51, 21 September 1878, Page 2

TALK ABOUT TOWN.

" There's a ohiel aniung ye tukia' notes. Ami faith he'll pmit them." Recent home papers, in their sporting items, speak of the remarkable increase of Croquet Clubs this season over past seasons; unci the wonderful popularity aud vitality of this game which, when first introduced, was i>nvercd and scoffed at as being only lit for voung children and their uiirscmaids.

Large and nourishing clubs are now to bo met with in every country village of importance in which are gathered together as members single ladies from It! years of ago up to .-in "uncertain" age, and ••nice" young men and "dear" old gentlemen in the same social scale. Apart from the many opportunities to indulge in innocent flirtations which this game affords to the initiated,—the wide scope it gives for the exhibition of milliners' art and the wearer's taste; and a necessary lint almost unconscious display of pretty little Balmorals and well-turned ankles, — croquet is a really pleasant and healthy pastime, and on that account alone, is deservedly popular. Then again, there is such fun at the half-yearly meetings, when the officers for the season are elected. First comes the patron, .who generally happens to be a justice of the peace, an alderman or some such other shining magnate in the Little Pcdliugton. Then the President.—most probably the rector, supported by a lady of uncertain age, who enjoys a life of single blessedness and blue spectacles, as the vice-president. The Committee is composed of half-a-dozen voting ladies, and half-a-dozen eligible young men.—" nice" young men who wear faultless boots, aud sport a pair of lavenders on gala days. The important offices of secretary and treasurer are entrusted to the married ladies; the single ladies not being eligible for election on the ground that, with all the flirtatious they have on hand, they would not have sufficient time to devote to the discharge of the duties appertaining to these positions. After the practice season come the matches with neighbouring clubs. Then is there rivalry in true earnest; match-making in both senses ;—and a few broken mallets and broken hearts are the most .serious results of the season's campaign. Here, in Samoa, there are very few opportunities ottered to the ladies for social reunions and gentle healthy exercise combined; but surely they might take a leaf out of the hook of their fair sisters at home, and establish a Croquet Club, small though it might be, with some prospect of success. At home, bishops, deans, rectors and curates; artists lawyers and authors ; government official; and honourables ; merchants and clerks can all join with the ladies in Ibis polite game without offending their dignity on the one hand, or risking their reputation as professional or business men on the other. Surely, if the ladies in Samoa were to organise a Croquet ('bib, the male clement would not be wanting, either in number or eligibility for flirting. Have we not government officials, honorable*, lawyers, artists and authors ; merchants and clerks: yea, even priests and cleans, if not bishops, in our little community, who would be willing to assist the ladies in spending a couple of afternoons a week in till? innocent and fashionable game of Lawn Croquet. Cyril,