LAWN TENNIS

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24372, 26 September 1944, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS

CLUB AFFILIATIONS INCREASE CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING An increase of 50 'per cent. In the number of affiliated clubs, during the last year was in Itself an indication of the healthy state of lawn tennis in Canterbury, notwithstanding the difficulties of war time, said the president (Mr J. Mercer) at the annual meeting of the Canterbury lawn Tennis Association last evening. Though there was something in the suggestion that many of the new affiliations Were prompted by the possibility of obtaining balls, said Mr Mercer, he thought that there was also a recognition of the work that the association did, in association with other provincial bodies. Not the least of the services given by the associations was the obtaining of supplies of balls. Mr Mercer said last season was the most successful since the outbreak of war. Inter-club competitions and the. Christmas and Easter tournaments were all well supported. Canterbury was fortunate in having a very energetic junior association, and largely because of its work in coaching and, other activities the province, with a wealth of promising young players, had a very bright future in the game. Exclusive of depreciation of £3OO a year, said Mr Mercer, the association had got through four years of war with a financial loss of only £75 a year. The money represented by depreciation would eventually have to be found, but credit balances could not be expected in war time. The chairman of the management committee (Mr E. A. Lee) said the committees of the association had given much thought to the question of finance, but they nad come to the conclusion that in the present circumstances ho large-scale efforts to raise funds would be justified. Undoubtedly, said Mr Lee, the association would have been in a much worse position but for its groundsman, Mr J. R. Manhlre, who, doing the work of two men, had kept the courts in splendid condition. Officers were elected as follows:—patron, Mr W. N. Seay; president, Mr J. Mercer; vice-presidents, Messrs W. A. Clothier, E. A. Lee, and T. W. Patterson: delegates to the New Zealand Association, Messrs L. J. Berry, George Gore, i. J. Wilson, E. A. Lee, J. Mercer, R. Browning, H. L. Wilkinson, R. Ford, and J. L. Squire; management committee, Messrs J. M. Hargreaves. E. A. Lee, F. H. G. Johnstone. R. Lane, R N. C. Hill, M. Hunter, J. L. Squire, F. B. Potter, and P. H. Jones; competitions committee, Messrs G. E. Atkinson, N. H. Walsh, J. Nunes, M. W. Hawkins, S. Balfour, W A. Clothier, D. A. Martin. J. L. Squire, and F. W. Seldom Wilding Park committee, Messrs R. N. C. Hill, F, H. G. Johnstone, and S. W. Jameson; delegates to Junior Association. Messrs P. H. Jones. H. Neal. R. N. C. Hill, and A. T. Cartwright; delegates to Council of Amateur Spcrt, Messrs E. A. Lee, and D. Bannehr; delegate to Pioneer Sports Club, Mr J. T. M. Fisher; handlcappers, Messrs W. A. Clothier, J. L. Squire, and M. W. Hawkins; selectors. Messrs E A. Lee, J. L. Squire, and M. W. Hawkins; auditor, Mr A. R. Sherris. Affiliation was granted to the Culverden, Waikari, South Brighton and Spreydon Clubs. It was decided to apply for the New Zealand Junior championships to be held at Christchurch this season.