First Badminton Season Concludes

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 205, 18 November 1927, Page 11

First Badminton Season Concludes

AUCKLAND ENTERPRISE POPULAR WINTER GAME By SHUTTLE Auckland's first official Badminton season recently concluded, and the members of the Auckland Badminton Club, which played through a successful and enjoyable season at St. Mary's Hall, Parnell, wound up their first active year with a meeting, at which various formal decisions were made, and a cabaret party, whereat the proceedings generally were of a lighter order. Among the decisions reached at the meeting was a proposition that the club should move toward official recognition in the highest Badminton circles by affiliating with the All England Badminton Association, the recognised controlling authority. As the first New Zealand Club to be so affiliated, the Auckland Club will assume leading status in the Dominion, and :t will be able to refer to the English association on any doubtful points that arise. Further, it will have the backing of the permanent organisation and it will be listed, along with its playing address, in the almanac issued annually from headquarters. NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION As -well as joining with the All England Association, the club is linking up with the recently formed New Zealand Badminton Association, of which Dr. F. N. Harvey, of Napier, is presi-

dent, and to which the only clubs at present affiliated are Wanganui, Auckland and’ Napier. The New Zealand Association will be strengthened by the formation of other clubs. One club, run in association with the Auckland Training College, has been in existence some time, though up to the present it has not moved in the direction of linking up with the other clubs of New Zealand. Nevertheless it has the honour of bei«g the pioneer Auckland Badminton Club and next season will probably be eager to secure recognition with the other organisations. Another club has been formed at the Devonport Naval Base, and still another at that remote Pacific outpost, Nauru Island, where the fertiliser comes from. Next year an effort will be made to start a club at Milford, and it is already practically certain that the game will be played at Papatoetoe. By these developments and the improvement of playing standards among the clubs already established, the progress of the game may be measured. AUCKLAND PLAYERS The Auckland Club started the season with only two or three experienced players, of whom the foremost were Mr. and Mrs. Eric Dart, who had come to New Zealand from British Columbia. Most of the other players were novices, some of whom improved with gratifying rapidity. As a result it is probable that the club is now the strongest in New Zealand. Late in the season one of two distinct acquisitions, in the form of experienced players, happened along, and if the club can be fully represented at next year’s tournament, to be run by the New Zealand Association at Napier, it should have an excellent chance of carrying off the honours. The strongest pair will undoubtedly be Mr. and Mrs. Dart, and from Dart. Kelly, McLean, Langguth, Worsam and Coster a very useful men’s team could be chosen. Of the ladies, Mrs. Langguth and the Misses Harty improved greatly during the year. Miss M. Hale is another very promising plaj'er and Mrs. Lesingham and Miss Berry are both very sound. CHURCH AUTHORITIES HELP At the end of the season—its first—the Auckland Club found itself in the happy possession of a waiting list and a small credit balance. For next winter, therefore, an effort may be made to find a hall with space for more than one court. St. Mary’s was ideal for one court and the generosity of Carton James and Dr. Kinder, who met the club very handsomely when it was searching for a hall, was undoubtedly a substantial factor in the success of its enterprise. PAPATOETOE CROQUET VISIT TO WAIUKU Nine members of the Papatoetoe Croquet Club journeyed to Waluku yesterday, and spent a most enjoyable day as the guests of the local club. In the morning a round of friendly games was played, and in the afternoon a progressive tournament was held. In the A grade, Mrs. Smytheman, of Papatoetoe, annexed the trophy, and in the B grade one of the local enthusiasts was the fortunate player. During the day the visitors were the guests of the home team, and were treated right royally at their hands. After the friendly games, a beautiful luncheon was provided, and before taking their departure, the visitors had to partake of more refreshments- They arrived home round about 6 p.m., havi ing had one of the most enjoy&bl® outings yet participated in by th« | members-