WELLINGTON TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 35, 10 August 1934, Page 7

WELLINGTON TENNIS

NEW COURTS AND STANI

LAST YEAR SURVEYED

For the third year in succession Wei lingtoh's representatives won the three trophies competed for at the New Zealand championships, the Anthony Wilding Memorial Challenge Shieldj the Kathleen Xunneley Casket, and the Wilding Challenge Cup, says the annual report of the Wellington Lawn Tennis Association. During the year, the committee has continued its poiicy of economy, but although the cash working for'the year shows a loss, there has been a considerable sum spent on improvements, which naturally reflects in the .balance-sheet. Tho committee has been.grateful for the support of the clubs, and. feels that if tho present policy, is pursued,.the financial position should improve. , % ; ; . The grounds at Miramar .have been maintained in good condition during the year, and have now been top-dressed and sown for the coming season,- and if is expected that they; will-be in excellent condition for ■ the opening of the eeason. The management committee-had in view tho construction of an additional sixteen hard courts on the area between, the grass courts and the present hard courts. The construction ' work was; proceeded with. and the position now is that'the base for eight courts has. been'laid'arid levelled and; the committee hopes to have these ready for play by the • beginning of the coming season., . ' .. To'provide for the public wishing to attend big matches,. the present permanent seating accommodation is not sufficient, and temporary stands have, in each case, to,be erected. 'In order to accommodate these increasing crowds at all big matches, the committee has had a permanent stand4erected on the eastern side of the match courts. This has con-' siderably increased the '.permanent' seating capacity, and will also save :. the erection of temporary stands on this .end every time important matches.are played,'*.' -~ •• ' ■ . FINANCE.; '.{.'/*'{;.,;./', The operations for the year have 'shown a net deficit of £65, The reasons for. this unfortunate result-are. several, i.-Firstly,,'; the very big falling away .an, suljscMptidns, . owing to the unavoidable/necessity, >t>E writing off during the year. a. total, of £103. " However, the present 'membership register is definitely up to date. aiid : carries no bad debts. Secondly, ,the .anjount of repair work necessary to-th& association's mowers and tractor have -. considerably hampered finances, tho total repair bill for the year being£67, as 'compared with the usual £14 or £15. Also capital expenditure on constructional work has amounted to £123 by- reason of1 the building of a new wooden stand on the east' crn side of No. 1 court at a cost of £63, and fencing material for portion of the area around the! new eight .-.hard courts, costing £60. Altogether, during .the year there has been a total amount of unrci curring expenditure of £175. ' ' The income of the general account was £407'0s lid, and the expenditure £213 12s 2d, ah excess of income over expenditure of £193 8s 9d. The income of the Miramar account was £682 ss"3d~and the expenditure £941 0s 7d, an excess of expenditure over income:o£, £258 15s id. ACCOUNT DISCHARGED. The coming season's income should 6how an increase over last year of more than sufficient to meet the'increase that will occiu1 in the wages account, while the expenditure both-on maintenance and construction will have to be kept to an absolute minimum,'remembering, .of course, that last season saw £175 spent that will not occur this year. Given the continued wholehearted support of clube, the management committee feels that it* should next year, be able to finish the season with the accounts at least square. ■During the past year there has been considerable - controversy. , arbjvrid.,. the tablo of the Wellington City Cjoubcil on the question of the association's/jdebt to the council. The sun* of ' £1000,'./as mentioned in la6t year's report, was paid: over to the council by the association on' the condition that' the* question of jpayment of the balance would be'favourably-consid-ered by it. Although: it happened ..after, the end of the association's financial year, members, will' be interested to know that this question has Been .'finally settled, the City Council deciding.'to compound.: the balance of the debt upon payment of the sum of £100. This.amount has been paid by the -association' and a full discharge has been received.. ■.. .■'•'. . .