Licensed Booth At Major Tennis

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31225, 24 November 1966, Page 18

Licensed Booth At Major Tennis

There will be a booth licensed to sell liquor at the Canterbury lawn tennis championships in February and at all future major tournaments at Wilding Park if the venture proves a financial success.

Approval for the management committee to apply for a licence to sell liquor at major tournaments was given at the quarterly meeting of delegates to the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association last evening.

However, it was not given without a fight from those opposed to the proposal. Two delegates spoke at some length on the evils of drink and the temptations it would place in the way of under age players—after admitting that their clubs had instructed them to vote in favour of the proposal. When the motion was put after more than 30 minutes’ lively discussion, the president (Mr A. C. Felton) ruled that it was carried on the voices. This brought a protest from some delegates and a show of hands was requested. It was carried by 27 votes to 14 with several abstaining. Amended Motion

The motion was slightly amended from the original one circulated to clubs. The original one referred to the next major tournament only, the amended motion to all major tournaments at Wilding Park.

•‘I realise this is quite a contentious matter,” said Mr J. Anderson, on behalf of the management committee. It had been raiised before and he believed that the last person who had raised it had been ostracised by the meeting. “Now we have a more modern outlook,” he said.

Many delegates would be against the introduction of drink to the park because of the possible adverse effect on juniors. This would not be serious because the booth would be open only at senior tournaments.

Under-age players competing would not be corrupted by the presence of a licensed booth any more than they would be by walking past any one of the hotels in town, Mr Anderson said.

“Just Do Not Mix” ‘‘My club is in favour of it but I am dead against it,” said Mr D. McNichol. It would be impossible to make any money from the sale of liquor to spectators because there were not any. They certainly did not

want persons coming to the park just to drink, he said. ■■Tennis and drink just do not mix,” said a woman delegate. “It is the thin edge of the wedge. If you had drink at the park 1 am sure none of the ladies would play with anyone who had been drinking.” The management committee felt that this was "a bit of a bogy,” said the chairman (Mr M. C. Healey). "Drink is not such a dirty word as some people would like to think. We are trying to provide a service that other sports provide,” he said. “Tennis is for sport, not for drinking," replied another delegate. "There have been a lot of red herrings drawn across this motion, mainly by a group of middle-aged ladies," said Mr Anderson. “I have seen a great deal of drinking at Wilding Park and have never seen more than when there is a junior tournament. You have only to go down the car park and you have a great deal of trouble walking between the empty flagons. "Give us a try: that is all we are asking. If it doesn’t work we certainly won’t carry It on,” Mr Anderson said. Supporters* Club.—A commitmittee of six was appointed to consider the formation of a tennis supporters’ club. They were Messrs G. E. Atkinson. J. K. Burt, D. McNichol, H. Hill, J. Mercer, and E. Biddle.

Indoor Courts.—Mr G. E. Atkinson urged the management committee and delegates to consider the possibility of building covered. lighted courts at Wilding Park. They would cost about £lO,OOO but would help tennis immensely, he said.