WELLINGTON TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 3, 28 September 1944, Page 3

WELLINGTON TENNIS

Future Of Miramar Courts

The .principal business at the annual "meeting of the ■Wellington Lawn Tenuis Association last night, which was attended by 30 delegates, representing 19 clubs, was the mapping out of a campaign to be pursued after the war. The president, uMr. G. C. White, presided. Mr. R. P. Cooper, moving the adoption of the annual report and statement of accounts, said that the most satisfactory part of the association’s activities last season was the attention given to the coaching of junior players. It was a healthy sign that new clubs had become atllliated, and other clubs had emerged from recess. He hoped that arrangements might be made by which the association could resume control of the Miramar courts.

Seconding the motion, Mr. H. L. Wise, chairman of the management committee, said the association had an option over the Miramar courts, and could exercise this three years after the war ended. Though they were making a small loss, It would be a mistake to discontinue the hiring of courts at Miramar. The city council had been asked to reduce the rental of the hard courts at Miramar to 1:30 for the coming season. Having Inst the Hutt Valley Association, with its 720 members, through that body becoming affiliated with the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, the association should, make Icvery effort to Induce more clubs to join. The incoming management committee should consider holding the junior tournament earlier during the approaching season. There was every prospect that more balls would be available for .1944-45.

Mr. W. G. Walker said that clubs were indebted to the management committee for its loyalty in carrying on under adverse conditions. He thought that double the quantity of balls would be available during the 1944-45 -season. The president eaid the association need not bo very coucerued about the Miramar grounds, if they had endeavoured to hold ou to them, a heavy liability would have been incurred. He was certain that if they put the position fairly to the city council after the war they would receive just treatment. The motion to adopt the report and balance-sheet was carried.

Mr. A. J. Wilson said that the association must have its own courts, and should have a plan of campaign mapped out for after the war. A considerable amount of money would be required to put the Miramar courts back into use. He moved: —

“That the No. 1 priority business for the ensuing squsou be the investigation of the possibilities ot re-establishment of the Miramar courts to their former playing condition, and that such investigation be ou the following lines: (1) That the management committee ascertain the approximate cost of reconstruction of the grass courts aud fencing, also the necessary plant and accessories. (2, Having ascertained this cost, tiaiue he communicated to all affiliated clubs and aesocintious forthwith, asking them what contribution (if any) will -be made by them. (3) That an application be made to the Internal Affairs Department for a share in the prolit s from the art unions to the extent of the amount still required. (4) That approaches be made to any other organizations, bodies or persons with a view to obtaining further funds, as the management committee might think lit. (5) That the management committee then make a full report to clubs through the quarterly meeting to be held not later than February 28, 1915. (6) That the management commitlee at the February quarterly' meeting present a statement, of yearly income and expenditure for the 10-year period ending May 31, 19-10, with an estimate of the affiliation fee necessary to carry on Miramar on a stable financial basis.” Seconding the motion, Mr. V. Since (Salamanca) said that. If such a course wore adopted the association should be able to get more clubs to affiliate with it. After a long discussion, an amendment, moved l»v 'Mr. W. I*. Walker (Kelburn), and seconded by Mr. F. Comet, was carried, to the effect that a sub-committee he set up to consider Mr. AVilson’s motion, and report on it to the next quarterly meeting. Election of Olliyers.

The election of officers resulted: —President, Mr. C. G. White (re-elected); vicepresidents. Miss K. Nuunerloy, Messrs. J. L. Macduff, A. C. AV. Mantel-Ilarding, and R. P. Cuoper, all re-elected: hon. treasurer, Mr. A. J. Wilson (re-elected); hon. secretary, Mr. L. G. Rimmer (re-elected); management committee, Misn A’. Campbell, Messrs. 11. L. AVise, J. Neale, B. Hocking, M. O’Connor, R. V. Robb, AV\ 11. Nicholte, E. G. Ncvitt. and Dr. R. Stout.