CLUB PRESIDENT HONOURED

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 69, 14 December 1939, Page 11

CLUB PRESIDENT HONOURED

Presentation To Mr. C. W. Earle LONG RECORD OF SERVICE TO TENNIS A large assembly of members and past members of the Kelburn Lawn Tennis Club waited on their 'president, Mr. C. W. Earle, yesterday afternoon, the gathering having been arranged to mark his 21st successive year of office as president, ami to express appreciation for the great assistance he had unfailingly rendered the club over that lengthy period. Mr. J. M. A. Hott, speaking on behalf of those present, and others who had sent apologies and letters of commendation on tile club’s action, said that at this reunion of members and former members he wished to express pleasure in having with them some of those who had been closely associated in the management and work of the club in the early years with Mr. Earle. These included Mr. J. Parker and Mr. H. P. F. Blundell, both previous members of the management committee, and Mr. Keith Kirkealdie, who had also rendered very valuable service. Mr. Hott stated that old members had joined with present players to do honour to one who had a unique place in the esteem and affections of all who had been associated with the Kelburn Tennis Club.

“On December 19,” said Mr. Hott, “Mr. Earle will have been our president for 21 years, and all of us feel that we would like to mark the occasion by presenting to him some tangible expression of our high regard. Mr. Earle is almost the club itself, for not only has he been president for 21 years, but for 27 years he has been chairman of the management committee. Throughout that long period he has never missed an annual meeting with the exception of one year when he was abroad. “The honour boards of the club show that he is not only our leader in management, but that also he has won his full share of playing honours. His family, too, have taken the greatest interest and played an important part in the advancement of the club. I know of no tennis club to which one could be prouder to belong (continued Mr. Hott) for the reason that while it may not have produced Davis Cup players, there is a feeling of sportsmanship and goodfellowship which many who belong to other clubs tell me is unique. The spirit is undoubtedly due largely to Mr. Earle’s great influence over members and the conduct of the club generally. Mr. Earle still presides at all otir committee meetings, and though he is no longer with us on the courts each Saturday, the same spirit of good comradeship continues, and will do so, I trust, as long as the club is in existence. It is a great delight for us to see Mr. Earle still full of health and vigour, and it is our sincere hope that he will ibe with us for many a year to preside over our gatherings as in the past. “I can assure him of our deep esteem, regard and affection, and I want him to know that his fellow-members hope that these small tokens which we ask him to accept, will remind him of the Kelburn Tennis Club and of all that his association with it has meant to us and to himself.” Mr. Earle, who on rising to reply, was greeted with cheers and musical honours, said that he had been taken so completely by surprise that he found it difficult to express his feelings for the kindly action of members. He felt that far too much credit for the fine record of the club had been ascribed to his efforts, and that it was due to the excellent spirit displayed by members themselves that the extraordinarily happy relationship between members had continued from year to. year. Many of his happiest hours had been spent at Kelburn, and he deeply regretted that for some years past he had been unable to continue active participation in the games. His share in the management of the club had given him the greatest pleasure, the work having been made light 'by the willing co-op-eration of all associated with the club. He thanked members very sincerely for their generous remarks and for the presentation which he would greatly value.

The presentation took the form of a handsome tantalus, suitably inscribed.