POPULARITY OF CROQUET

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1922, Page 6

POPULARITY OF CROQUET

THE GAME IN NEW PLYMOUTH. NEW LAWNS AT TE HENUI. Delightfully situated in a sunny nook near the East End Reserve are the new lawns of the New Plymouth Ladies’ Croquet Club. If the whole borough had been searched, it would have been difficult to have chosen a locality more suitable for the purpose, for the, new lawns nestle snugly away, surrounded on three sides by hilly slopes sufficient to provide shelter from all prevailing winds, whilst the aspect of the ground is towards the sun, which floods this area with light for practically, the whole of the day. On one side the quiet waters of the Henui flow placidly by, lending a yet more pleasant touch to a locality which is most convenient to Devon Street. East and the trams, yet forming in itself a secluded area devotees of the increasingly popular game of croquet can indulge in their favorite pleasure. In conversation with a Daily News reporter yesterday, the club secretary (Mrs. Waters) said it was hoped to have the lawns ready for play about October next. The laying-out of the lawns was done bv contract, under the supervision of the borough engineer (Mr. W. H. Cook), and the club are very satisfied with the excellent way in which the work has been done. The grass was sown in June, and at present appears to be coming on well. The lawns. ; which are' nearly an acre in extent, comprise two full-size and two three-quarter-size ones, and, as far as is known, are the largest croquet lawns in the North Island. In Auckland, where the game is very popular, most of the grounds only provide room for two full-size lawns. For ordinary play the New Plymouth grounds will probably provide six lawns. Altogether the club has spent about £3OO or £4OO in laying out lawns, erecting a pavilion, and other necessary incidentals. The pavilion is expected to 'be out of the | builders’ hands to-day, and is later to be painted by voluntary’ labor, whilst the work of improving the appointments of the grounds and pavilion will be done by the same means. Entrance will be gained bv way of a path to be made from Devon Street near the Henui bridge, or from Watson Street, whilst access is also provided by a bridge to the East End Reserve (or Autere Park, as it is to be called henceforth). The Borough Council have generously agreed to provide a year’s free water. It is proposed to hold an official opening ceremony in connection with the new grounds at a date to be arranged, probably some time in October. The club is to be heartily commended for its enterprise and its choice of site, and the appointments made reflect great credit upon them.