TENNIS BALLS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 171, 21 July 1943, Page 5

TENNIS BALLS

PROSPECTS FOR 1943-44 THOUSAND DOZEN FOR AUCKLAND "As the result of constant and protracted negotiation by the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, in conjunction with the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association and the Council of Sport," stated the president, Mr. Stan Cleal, at a meeting of his executive, "the Ministry of Supply has agreed to release sufficient rubber to enable 0000 dozen tennis balls to be manufactured so that' tho sport of tennis may be continued next summer. This quantity is for the whole of the Dominion and it is thought that the proportion likely to come to the Auckland Province for the various associations, their clubs and the public, will be in the vicinity of 1000 dozen. "At first sight this number might appealample, but as the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association's district extends as far north as Helensville and in the south takes in the whole of the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Thames Valley, the maximum any club in Auckland may expect to receive will only be a lew dozen— barely sufficient to keep the game alive under thi severest cf economies. Programmes will thus be even more restricted than was the case last year. "The Auckland association will endeavour to conduct its usual tournaments, but there docs not seem to be anv likelihood of inter-club competitions being held unless confined to say one or two grades. Of course, this will be a matter for the club delegates to decide at the association's annual meeting next month, when known the number of balls definitely available. The main thing is that all clubs are going to carry on their activities, however restricted these may be. Undoubtedly this is good news for all tennis executives, who have been confronted with the problem of supplying tennis balls to their members for some time without any prospect of relief." . , . ~ The balance-sheet to be presented at the annual meeting will show a loss of nearly £200 on the past year's working. It was unanimously decided to support the Third Liberty Loan, out of capital, to the extent of £300.