LAWN TENNIS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22517, 27 September 1938, Page 16

LAWN TENNIS

PUBLICITY NOT JUSTIFIED" DISCIPLINING OF PLAYER COMPLAINT TO ASSOCIATION "The publicity given to this case was out of all proportion to its seriousness," declared Mr A. R. Sherris at the annual meeting of the Canterbury | Lawn Tennis Association last evening, when making a plea for "a little more discretion in dealing with domestic matters." He was referring to the steps taken by the management committee of the association in dealing with H. Dymond, a leading provincial player, against whom disciplinary action was threatened for his failure to give an explanation or apology for absenting himself without leave from the Easter tournament. Mr Sherris said that the player concerned had been pilloried in the newspapers for an offence which, after all, was very cummun among the players. It was a domestic trouble, said Mr Sherris. and lie folfthal the management committee should not have allowed it to receive so much prominence. '"Tlia public in general, thone not parlionlarly interested in tennis, are apt to get a wrong idea. I do not think the matter should have been aired in public; it does not do the game any good." A contrary view was expressed by Mr J. Lc'/ard, who was of the opinion that, a very good purpose would be served by the publicity given to the mailer. "It will bo a deterrent to plavers in the future," he said. There was no further discussion.

THE CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION "VERY SOUND POSITION" HEAVY DEPRECIATION BILL "In spite of the debit balance of £300,. this association is in a very sound position. I do not suppose there is another major association in half as good a position—but we want to arrest the drift," said the president of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association, Mr R. Browning, at the annual meeting last evening.

Remarking that finance was the most distasteful feature to be reviewed among the year's activities, Mr Browning said that the best that could be said was that, the loss operations was more than £IOO less than in the previous year. "Here we have a park on which we have spent upwards of £15,000. and it is one of the finest in the world; there is no doubt about that." said Mr Browning. "The park has been bought and paid for, but it is unfortunate that the depreciation, of certain of the assets is such that the association is up against, it to orovide sufficient revenue." He did not think the assets at the park had depreciated to the extent shown in the balance-sheet (£296), especially as a great deal of money had been spent in keeping the assets in good condition, but it would be imprudent bookkeeping to show them otherwise. The problem had exercised the minds of the members of the management committee and the treasurer, and the problem would have to be faced sooner or later. He appealed to all delegates to give consideration to the matter, in the hope that some useful means of meeting the position would be forth-' coming. Success «f Oupo\i Scheme -I

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Mr Browning referred to the success of the coupon system in popularising Wilding Park, although it was surprising the larger clubs .had not made greater use of the facilities. The Wilding Shield had been lost to a very fine Auckland team, but the Nunneley Casket had been retained bv the women's four. The province had lost Miss E. Rudkin and was shortly to lose Miss N. Bishop, but he was. sure that there were excellent young players to take their places. The Now Zealand junior tournament, held in Christchurch, had been a great success, said Mr Browning, and the work of the Canterbury Junior Lawn Tennis Association had «>gain been of the utmost value. An Umpires' Association had been formed and placed on a sound basis and was expected to be of great service to the game, especially in the conduct of tournaments, during the coming season. Though Wilding Park was in excellent condition, the association was very unfortunate to lose the services, of Mr W. R. Main, who had been retained in an advisory capacity on the Wilding Park Committee, which was extremely grateful.to him for his keen interest in the park and the association. Mr Browning concluded, by paying tribute to the work of the officers of tht association and the committees. Mr J. Mercer, chairman of the management committee, in seconding the adoption of the report, said it was encouraging to find five clubs applying for reaffiliation. Election of Officers The following officers were elected:— Patron, Mr W. N. Seay; president, Mr R. Browning; vice-presidents, Messrs F J Murray, J. Mercer, and G. L. Berry; secretary and treasurer Mr S W. Jameson; delegates to New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association. Messrs George Gore, L. J. Berry, H. S. Wilkinson. R. Browning, J. Mercer, and S W. Jameson; management committee, Messrs J. K. Burtt, J. Mercer, E A. Lee, T. W. Patterson. J. H. W. Sheppard. R. A. Young, J. L. Squire, J. R Johnston, and S. W. Jameson: Wilding Park committee, Messrs G. L. Berry R Browning, W. A. Clothier. S. W Field, W. Hawkins, E. A. Lee, W. R. Main. J. Mercer. A. R. Sherris, and T Wilson; handicappers, Messrs W.. A. Clothier, W. Hawkins, and J. L. Squire; selectors. Messrs J. Mercer, T. W. Patterson, and J. H. W. Sheppard; delegates to Canterbury Junior Lawn Tennis Association. Messrs R. Cartner, P H. Jones, and J. H. W. Sheppard; auditor Mr A. R. Sherris; competitions committee, Messrs W A ClotWer. D. Martin. W. J. Deans, R. N. C. Hill, W Hawkins, J. L v Squire. R. S. W. Owen. A M. Hintz. and S. W. Jameson. The following clubs were granted affiliation:—South Christchurch, Nev Brighton Parish. St. Martin's Valley

New Zealand representative teams are chosen by the management committee of the association, which, Mr D. Martin declared, is a cumbersome and inefficient method. Mr J. Mercer supported the suggestion, remarking that only one or two memebrs or the management committee saw the New Zealand championship tournament in Timaru last season. It was necessary, he agreed, for those responsible for selecting a team to see all the candidates in action in the most important fixtures.

St. Paul's (Papanui), and Te Whaka (Lyttelton). The Wilding Park levy for the year was fixed at 5s for each member of city and suburban clubs and other club: taking part in the inter-club competitions (school-children excepted), and 2/6 for members under the age of 18. Umpires' Association Mr P. H. Jones reported on the plans of the Canterbury Umpires' Association, which, he said, had affiiliated with tion, which he said, had affiliated with He appealed for the support of enthusiasts to bring the present membership of 40 up to the minimum workable membership of 60. The association's activities would be directed tc lectures and demonstrations and to the umpiring of fixtures. It was proposed to hold the first lecture early in October, Mr T. W. Patterson • having agreed to give a talk which would be illustrated by films. The association proposed to provide umpires for the finals of grade matches and for the semi-finals and finals of tournaments, and to assist in representative games. The association desired particularly that the controlling authorities insist on all grade and ranking matches being umpired, if necessary, by players.

OPENING OF SUMNER CLUB

The opening of the Sumner Tennis Club was held on Saturday afternoon. The weather was very favourable, and there was a good attendance of members and supporters. The president (Mr C. L. Allen) received the guests. Mr T. H. McCombs, M.P., was present, and' was welcomed by Mr Allen, who asked the Mayor (Mr J. E. Tait> to open the season. The Mayoress (Mrs J. E. Tait) presented the trophies won last season. . ■ Friendly games were played.

BUDGE WINS FOURTH NATIONAL TITLE

•NEW YORK, September 25. Rv hpatine C G. Mako in the final of the States singles championship. J, D. Budle failed thl honour of being the first Player to win the major titfes of the world—British, French. Austratian and American-in one season. T M.n'if Budge (United Stales) 5 WC G. Mako (United States), 6 "wom!n£" 2 * lingles-Miss *A. Marble <Um P ted States) blat Miss N. Wynne (Ausmen's ml'tch was played in a picnic spirit with Mako skylarking in the final SC Lack of control in general and trying to make every ball a winner cost Miss WySne thl match. The crowd saVdejectedly while she made error after error, ner game resembling that of a frightened man and j B 2lch h a V e aKreed to play an exhibition doubles match witn Bu4ge and Mako at Detroit, delaytog their arrival at Los Angeles until September 29.