LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 443, 27 February 1909, Page 13

LAWN TENNIS.

- NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. ' The first of tho quarterly meetingß of the Council of tho New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association was held in the Phoenix Assurance Company's office last evening, Mr. Malcolm Ross presiding. There were present Messrs. J. C. Peacock (Auckland); E. A. Hurley/C;E,> Weir, J, W. M. Dart, and R. St. J. Beere (Wellington); H. Brown (Canterbury); E. Salmond, M. Ross, and J. A. B. Howe (Otago); J. S. Wilson and F. ,Grady (Hawke's Bay); R. N. K. Swa'nston and F. S. Hume (Taranaki)'; H. G. Didsbury (Nelson); F. Laishley (Marlborough); F. M. B.Fisher, M.P. (West Coast). The first quartely report of the commit.toe! stated tnat the New Zealand championship meeting-held at Nelson was quite up to tho standard of past gatherings. The following tournaments had been authorised by the bommittee:—Ashbnrton championship and handicap tourney; Whangarei do.; Hastings, Marlborough, Wairarapa, Hamilton/Wellington, University, Canterbury, Wanganui, Hawke's Bay, Otago. The associations' delegates'were given full instructions re the New Zealand Association's reason for resigning from the Australasias Association, and the Management Committee advised that the New Zealand application to be made a separate nation be withheld until further notice. The committee, also cabled a protest to the Australasian. Association against any ...arrangement being made in regard to the international contest without New Zealand being consulted. ■■' The New South Wales Association having offered to find accommodation for a ladies team visiting Australia for inter-State match. ,it was decided to send, the team. Since the amiual meeting the association had become a registered body, and tho new rules were now. in force. The balance from the New Zealand championship meeting was: £50 6s. 9d.y the receipts being £198,115. li., and the expenditure £148 '4s. 4d. The adoption of the. report was' agreed to. ;' . - '■': ..' The- following rules as to professionalism wero adopted:—."Any person is a. professional; who accepts'a reward Iby way of salary, commission, gift' (other than a trophy,won in competition), or otherwise for playing lawn tennis'.. Any person; guilty .of. professionalism shall be disqualified. Any person .' so disqualified, may be reinstated by a resolution of the council (acting upon the recommendation of the Management; Committee), and passed by a. two-thirds majority : .of 'votes cast." .•:." ■'.-'.:■' "!,. '■ •'.. It was decided by 27 votes to 12 that the 'Syke's. ball should bo adopted for use by the association. . ;', ' '. ..The secretary stated that it was hoped to to,terms with; the Australian Association in regard to the Davis Cup. He moved that it.be an instruction to cable: to':'.,the .Lawn,' Tennis Association asking '..'that, the New Zealand Association's; application to be. .made-a-yseparate' nation be ,withheld .until further notice.',, This.was agreed t0... ' : i. ■' .';' TheV-Management Committee was. directed to draw, up_ a statement'.to be placed before the Lawn;Tennis ; Association (England), 'and forward obpies to all; nations and;tne'dohor of the cup (Dr. Dwight Davis), with a view to amending the regulations under which the cup is plaj'ed for, and setting up a controlling body.- '/v :,.";>■'.'..'■■.: , ■ : ..'"'.''■' ; -, ~ yOn>the motion; of Mr!. Fisher it was, decided in the - interests of the gamevto send a,delegate from the-association to Australia to arrange a method by which Australia and -New; Zealand might work together without' fribtion respecting the;Davis Cup competition.... The appointment of a delegate ' was left, in'the 'hands.'of the.Management"Cpin'niittee. 1 . ;';,;„; '.!... ■'■':.' ..-.. ; ." L \-", .-L;. - j