LAWTV TENNIS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22271, 9 December 1937, Page 18

LAWTV TENNIS

“A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF LOBBYING” CLUB’S ATTITUDE TO LEVY TENNIS ASSOCIATION’S POSITION

“There are members of the executive of the club who feel that the club Is collecting a lot of money for Wilding Park, and who say that the player-, resent paying. Personally, I feel that the members of the United Club are as loyal to the association as those of any other club, and that a certain amount of lobbying has been done there to the detriment of the association.”

In these words Mr R. Browning, president of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association, referred at a meeting of the management committee last evening to a request from the executive of the United Bowling, Tennis, and Croquet Club for a deputation from the association to meet the club and explain the position regarding the Wilding Park levy. “We have a certain amount of opposition there, coming from quarters which I am a little surprised at,” MiBrowning said, in explaining that officials of the club executive had asked whether the association could collect the Wilding Park levy from individuals instead of from the club, which was in a difficult financial position. It had been explained to them that the association could not deal with individuals, but only with affiliated clubs. The club’s executive consisted of three members from each section, said Mr Browning, and naturally the bowling and croquet members were not as conversant with the position as were tennis players. “It seems that it has been put up to them that Wilding Park has been the chief agent in destroying the popularity of the United Club, and I am sure that if we were to meet them and have a round-table talk much misunderstanding might be cleared up,” said Mr Browning. t A committee, consisting of Messrs J. Mercer, R. Browning, J. R. Johnston, and S. W. Jameson, was set up to meet the club. BILLETING CAUSES CONCERN NEW ZEALAND JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS Concern at the poor response of lawn tennis enthusiasts to the appeal to assist in the billeting of visiting boys and girls who will take part in the New Zealand junior championship tournament from January 12 to 15 was expressed by the secretary to the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association (Mr S. W. Jameson) at a meeting of the management committee yesterday. There were present: Messrs R. Browning (president), J. R. Johnston. E. A. Lee, J. H. W. Sheppard, T W. Patterson, R. A. Young, W. A. Clothier, and S. W. Jameson (secretary).

Mr R. Gartner, secretary to the Canterbury Junior Lawn Tennis Association, who attended the meeting of the committee, said that the secondary schools of Christchurch had been asked to approach parents of their pupils asking if they would billet visitors to the tournament. So far not a single favourable reply had been received to this appeal. Mr Jameson said that entries for the tournament did not close until January 7, but applications for billeting were to be made by December 10. Only three such applications had been received to date, and it did not seem as if the association was going to have to find accommodation for as many youngsters as it expected. Still, it was quite likely that late applications would be made, and probably billets for 20 or more children would have to be found.

The large number of children who went away from Christchurch in the school holidays was one of the difficulties, said Mr Gartner.

Mr Browning: It is extraordinary, and very disappointing. When the tournament was held in Auckland and Wellington, tennis people were only too anxious to billet the children.

It was decided to make a personal canvass of tennis enthusiasts and of parents of Christchurch children taking part in the tournament.

DRAW FOR SATURDAY’S MATCHES Following is the draw for the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association’s interclub competitions on Saturday, all matches unless otherwise stated to be played at Wilding Park;— Senior Men—United v. Elmwood, at United: Cashmere v. Cathedral, Linwood v. Canterbury College. Fendalton a bye. Senior Mixed—Cashmere v. Sumner, Elmwood v. Cathedral, Walmairi v. Avonside, Opawa v. Woolston. A Grade. Section I—Opawa v. North Linwood. Fendalton No. 1 v. Edgeware No. 1, St. Mary’s v. Addington, Elmwood No. 1 v. St. Albans.

B Grade, Section 2—Addington Catholic v. Shirley, St. James’ v. Linwood, Woolston v. Barrington, St. Mary's v. Burwood Park. C Grade —North Beach v. Fendalton, Cathedral v. Barrington. Redcliffs v. Avonside, Edgeware v. Riccarton.