A UNIQUE GIFT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 44, 30 August 1928, Page 17

A UNIQUE GIFT

TO NEW ZEALAND TENNIS FAMOUS PLAYER'S MEDALS A unique gift in the shape of a handHomo wooden casket studded with thirtyfive gold medals which the donor bad won was presented to the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association last evening by Miss K. M. Nunneley, a former New Zealand tennis champion. Miss Nunneley was the lady tennis champion of New Zealand for thirteen consecutive years, from 1895 to 1907. In addition, she shared the doubles championship ten times, and shared the mixed doubles championship on nine occasions. '■ Miss Nunneley was present at the' annual meeting of the New Zealand Lawn' Tennis Association last evening, when, she presented the casket to the chairman (Sir. A. G. Henderson). The casket bears the -following inscription: "Presented by Kathleen M. Nunneley to the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, for competition betweenwomen's teams." Miss Nunneley entered the room.to the singing of "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow." She was welcomed by Mr. Hen-

derson, who described her as the most famous lady player New Zealand ever had, and one whose record was second to none in New Zealand, and probably in the world. . < ■ Miss Nunneley said she was very glad to nave done something for the association which had done so much for her in the past and which had made the tournaments at which she had competed so pleasant. She expressed her pleasure in being able to give her medals back to the association. Mr. G. N. Goldie said Miss Nunneley's career had been glorious. She came to the Dominion when she was a noted player in England, and had she remained in the Old Country she would haye t had her name enrolled as a champion at.Wimbledon. She had been a pioneer of. women's tennis in the Dominion.'. He was sure that the casket would: keep evergreen' the friendships which Miss Nunneley had made with the tennis-players of New Zealand. Mr. Henderson received the casket on behalf of the association, and in thanking Miss Nunneley said it was the most handsome gift that had ever been made in the history of lawn tennis in the Dominion. The competition which. Miss Nunneley had suggested would help to raise the standard of play among the ladies, and that was what Miss Nunneley desired, "I thank you very heartily. on. behalf of tlie association' for this magnificent gift,"; he said. ■" , , Mr. M. E. Denniston also paid, a tribute to Miss Nunneley, and expressed the opinion that the casket would be a memento of her work for tennis in New Zealand, and would act as an incentive to players. >