LAWN TENNIS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26204, 30 August 1950, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS

VISITS OF OVERSEAS PLAYERS SUGGESTED EXCLUSION FROM CHAMPIONSHIPS (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 29. The gate at the New Zealand tennis championships at Christchurch last season would have been just as big if the,Australians, Worthington and Warhurst, had not been taking part, said Mr D. Martin (Canterbury), speaking to the report and balance-sheet at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association to-day. “We in Canterbury feel that the New Zealand championships are for New Zealanders,” he said. He suggested ipviting these players for exhibition matches and getting the public to pay twice. Mr S. G. Wright (Auckland) said that in tiie New Zealand championships and tournaments New Zealanders met visiting players only once. A better plan would De to invite overseas players and send a team of New Zealanders on tour through the country with them. Mr A. H. Richards, chairman of . the management committee, explained that Worthington and McGregor, later replaced by Warhurst, w.ere available only for a week of the New Zealand championships. A suggestion that outstanding players be invited to increase receipts at championships was earlier made by Mr A. G. Henderson, a former president. Pleasure that Australia had won the Davis Cup was expressed at the beginning of the meeting by the president (Mi N. R. C. Wilson), who thought that New Zealand could now look forward to seeing more overseas players. SHIRLEY CLUB ’ The following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Shirley Lawn Tennis Club:— Patron, Mr G. Finney; president, Alt T. Howorth; vice-presidents, Messrs J. A. Robb, N. A. Baggs, J. F. Poulton, T. MMitchell, C. E. W. Edwards, Dr, D- L. Cropp; club captain, Mr C. C- Palmer; vice-captain, Mr B. Gapes; women’s captain, Mrs H. Kirk; women’s vice-captain. Mrs L. Kingston; secretary, Miss E. Egan; treasurer, Miss A. W. King; committee. Mesoames K. N. McGillivray, M. T. Hunter, R. Norman, T. G. W. Wilkinson, J. C. Wilson, D. Watt, Messrs B. O’Callaghan, K. N. McGillivray, and Edwards, auditor. Mr McGillivray. Opening day was fixed for Saturday, September 23. It was decided to affiliate with the newly-formed Canterbury Junior Lawn Tennis Association.