LAWN TENNIS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21802, 6 June 1936, Page 20

LAWN TENNIS

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS

ALLOCATION TO TIMARU

CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION PROTESTS

A formal protest to the council of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association against the allocation of the 1936-37 New Zealand championship tournament to Timaru will be made by the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association, This decision was made at a meeting of the management committee yesterday morning, when members agreed to ask the New Zealand Council to reconsider the matter.

The actual resolution was passed in com: ittee, but in conveying the decision to the press at the close of the meeting the chairman described the action of the New Zealand Council as a “most unexpected development.” In outlining the steps that had led up to the decision of the New Zealand Council, the secretary (Mr S. W. Jameson) said that on May 14 the Canterbury Association received a letter from the New Zealand Council enquiring whether Canterbury agreed to hold the championships at Wilding Park on the usual terms, and asking for a suggestion for the most suitable dates.

Mr J. H. W. Sheppard; I looked on that as an offer of the championships. Mr T. W. Patterson: Oh, no.

Mr Jameson said that, on May 21 the Canterbury Association made formal application for the tournament, agreeing to the terms, and suggesting that the tournament should begin on Boxing Day and end on New Year’s Day, or any other dates suitable to visiting overseas players who might be in the dominion at the time. On May 22’ there was a note in the newspapers to the effect that the South Canterbury Association was making a big bid 'or the tournament. That day he wrote to the ‘ Auckland and Wellington associations enlisting their support, and pointing out that the bodies such as the Otago and North Otago associations were supporting South Canterbury. It was pointed out in the letters that associations in the metropolitan centres, wh’ch had spent a great deal of money in making provision for big tournaments were in danger of losing the championships. South Canterbury’s Case Mr Jameson read a copy of South Canterbury’s “case.” which apparently had been circulated amon- the affiliated associations. “That was not sent to. us,” he added. The circular set out that there was already seating accommodation for 700, and accommodation for an extra 400 could be provided. The pavilion was a modern and well-equipped building, and there would be 11 courts available for play after the erection*of the stands, "he a - ocialion had catered for 800 during the visit of the New South WaL. women’s team in 1931, and the takings at the visit of the English team were £IOO. Mr J Mercer (chairman): That is wrong. The “case” also claimed that in the holiday period there was an influx of some 5000 visitors to Timaru. The courts were eight years old, and when specially prepared had given a fine texture of grass. The holding of the tournament at Timaru would give southern players access to the championships. It was considered that a net profit of £IOO would be obtained. Mr G. L. Berry; They have put their case well.

“They’ve exaggerated things a bit.” commented Mr Sheppard. A delegate: What are the courts like?

Mr Sheppard; Rotten. I don’t see how they can "ossibly hold the championships there. Mr Mercer, after the report of the New Zealand Association’s meeting had been read, remarked that South Canterbury evidently had plenty of support. Mr Sheppard: Only from the small districts. A delegate: And from some of the major association delegates, too. Mr Sheppard repeated that the courts were not in good order, and said that the seating accommodation was only temporary—consisting of boards. At this stage it was proposed that the meeting - Should go into committee. "Anything further that i have to say I shoo'' prefer to say in committee; but I do think we have been let down badly by Auckland and Wellington,’’ declared Mr R. Browning. The meeting then went into committee.

MAORI PARK TENNIS COURTS

REPLY TO MR SHEPHARD , S CRITICISM "These remarks are a complete reversal of the opinion expressed by Mr Shephard to several members of the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association at the last New Year tournament,” said Mr R. A. Holdgate, president of the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association, when asked last night to comment on the statement made by that official at a meeting of the Canterbury Association yesterday. “These courts compare more than favourably with any block of courts in the Dominion,” continued Mr Holdgate. "We will have accommodation to seat 1500 spectators. At a recent meeting of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association the South Canterbury delegate, who was present at the last tournament, said he agreed that the facilities at Timaru were probably sufficient for the tournament. Further,” said Mr Holdgate, “I consider the domestic worries of the Canterbury Assoc’ation about Wilding Park are clouding its judgment. Mr Shephard was most enthusiastic over the condiiion of our courts at the recent tournament, and not only Mr Shephard, but several other leading Canterbury players, expressed similar views.

"Favourable remarks concerning the Maori Park courts have also been made by F. J Perry, E. D. Andrews, and Miss N. Lloyd, who have said in Timaru that our courts have a remarkably good surface. I consider that the Canterbury Association is taking a provincial rather than a national view of the position, especially after practically the unanimous endorsement by the delegates at the last New Zealand Association’s quarterly meeting of South CanterbtuVs application.”