TENNIS ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 200, 21 May 1936, Page 2

TENNIS ASSOCIATION

Charges During Cochet’s Exhibitions CRITICISM BY DELEGATE The opinion was expressed by Mr. H. L. Wise (Wellington) at the quarterly general meeting of the Wellington Lawn Tennis Association last night that the unsatisfactory attendance at the exhibition matches played by Henri Cochet and co-pro£esslonais at Wellington in Ibe tennis season just closed was due to the charges made. Mr. YVise said the weather had been advanced as a reason but lie did not think it the main one. From what he was told by a large number of people it was the admission charge. When the visits, of well-known players were novelties, people were prepared to pay a fairly high charge to see them in action, but the novelty had worn off. The charges made when Cochet played at Welling ton were higher than those levied in other centres. The committee should bear this in mind in the future.. Mr. P. Henry (Miramar) said that when Cochet played at Palmerston North the charge was nearly half-a-crown less than that at YVellington. The quarterly report stated that the fourth bay at Miramar had been commenced and would be ready next season, thus giving 40 courts for use. The YVellington Club was congratulated on its win in the men’s first division, this being its first success in this section. Completed results for the season were: First division: Men, YVellington; women, Brougham Hill- Second division: Men, YVellington; women, Brougham Hill. Third Division: Men, Roseneath; women, Miramar. Fourth division, Ngahoa. Fifth division: Miramar A. , T . The visit of Henri Cochet, J. and A. Willard and A. Baker, the professionals, did not get the public support that the standard of their play warranted. The loss was £2/10/-. The YVilding Shield and Nunneley Casket matches against Canterbury at Christchurch saw the association receive £25/5/6 as its share of the proceeds, with the result the net cost of the trip south was £l2/7/3. The. Easter tournament saw 441 matches disposed of. it was an unqualified success. The profit was £l4/6/5. D. G. France (Thorndon) won the second annual champion of champions tournament. Mrs. A. D. Latham (Ihorndou) was the first women’s champion ot champions. , , , , S Painter (Roseneath), although not included in the original selection, was subsequently chosen for the junior team sent to Australia in February and, with his partner, won the boys’ doubles under 15 Owin- lack of time he defaulted in’the boys’ singles and mixed doubles, in which he reached the semi-final and final respectively. The cash statement at May 1, lJ3b, showed that since the close of_the last financial year at May 31, 193 u, receipts had totalled £1554/17/6, and payments made £1536/3/4. Sundry debtors totalled £3OB, and sundry creditors £176. Supplementing the report, the chairman, Mr. J. L. Mae Duff, said the construction of grass courts at Miramar would be completed this winter, so that the whole of the courts there would be in first-class condition. It could be said at least that the outlined scheme of grass courts at Miramar would be completed. In regard to Cochet’s visit the groundsman (Mr... Linton was to be congratulated that Cochet was able to play at all, owing to the effect of the unfavourable weather on the courts.. Mrs. Latham, who came with good credentials from Scotland, was to be congratulated on her success in the womens champion of champions. It was gratifying Mo see a newcomer attain sucn success, said Mr. Mae Duff. Ylr P. Henry (Miramar), speaking in reference to the association's grounds, said that the sixth division had been dropped altogether because of the unsuitability of the courts they were asked to play on. The association was very foolish to go on with the grass courts in the way it had ; undoubtedly the ground would be overloaded. Unless proper provision were made for hard courts they would not get anyone there to maintain the courts. A number of players complained the grass season did not open early enough. They had four bays aml should make one available for winter dressing at an earlier time so that one bay would be given a chance each year. It was impossible now to get any grass to grow on the courts between the the season closed and winter. They would shortly have to pay attention to the back courts. They were as rough as any mam. street and so bumpy people would not play ou them. That was the reason they dill not get entries for the sixth division. The report and tinam-ial statement were adopted without further discussion. There was no general business for dis cussion.