Wilding Park Body May Be Changed

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31768, 27 August 1968, Page 18

Wilding Park Body May Be Changed

The Wilding Park committee, an autonomous body which controls the affairs of Wilding Park, has been unable to appoint a chairman and may be absorbed by the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association.

The association’s management committee, last evening instructed the secretary (Mrs M. Clarke) to call an urgent meeting of the Wilding Park committee in an effort to find a chairman.

If there is still nobody prepared to take the post, incorporating the committee within the management committee by altering the constitution will be considered. Most members were in favour of the Wilding Park committee as constituted at present being disbanded and control left in a smaller sub-committee of the association.

Mr B. W. Crofts said that even if a chairman was found

he would explore the possibility of having the control of the park changed. He suggested that a sub-committee of three would be sufficient. "There is a great deal of merit in this suggestion," said Mr J. Anderson. More work was done by two members of the management committee than all at the Wilding Park committee. “I would not suggest that the Wilding Park committee is redundant.” said the chairman (Mr R B. Brown). He agreed to act as chairman for the special meeting of the committee.

Closing Dates.— The meeting voted in favour of fixing a closing date for entries to all major tournaments on the national circuit and to support a notice of motion to the annual meeting of the New Zealand association that entries close with provincial associations on December 1 and with the New Zealand association on December 8. Members felt that the scheme should be used for a trial period of a year.

Umpiring. —AH Inter-club singles matches are to be umpired this season. If they are not the match will be declared null and void. The competitions committee will direct clubs when to provide umpires Under the present rults matches are supposed to be umpired but the rule has not been enforced.

Junior Finance. Messrs Brown and H. Dillon were appointed to discuss finance with the junior association. Members felt that the Junior association was using the hard courts for Its competitions and getting the benefit of the senior association’s capital. The Junior association will be asked to consider taking over the maintenance of the hard courts or, alternatively, paying an Increased levy.

Selectors.— Mr J. Anderson, who has been a selector for the last five years and convener of the canterbury selection panel for the last four, last evening announced his retirement. Dr W. j. Smith was appointed to the panel in his place. The other two selectors, Mrs P. Leopold and Mr M. M. Agar, were re; appointed. Mr Afiderson is a national selector.

Canterbury Titles.— lt was decided to bold the Canterbury championships on December 6, 7, and 8. A decision on whether sponsored players would be sought or not was left until a later meeting. It was also decided to hold a grass court tournament at Labour week-end.