LAWN TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 72, 22 September 1939, Page 13

LAWN TENNIS

TO BE CARRIED ON

INTER-CLUB MATCHES

The position in regard to clubs which had disaffiliated because of the increase in fees was not as bad as it seemed at first glance, said the secretary, Mr. A. C. W. Mantell-Harding, at the annual meeting of the council of the Wellington Lawn Tennis Association, held last night. The clubs which had left the association were Karori West, Khandallah. Victoria, Ngaio, and Weilesley, he said. Wellesley had unfortunately been forced into the position of disaffiliating because a couple of weeks ago they had been informed that their courts were no longer available. Their 76 members j were now trying to get into other i clubs. Two of the other clubs which had left the association had done so because- of domestic financial arrangements and both anticipated becoming affiliated again later. The position in regard, to affiliated players was not so bad, either. The association had lost '227' players out of a total rneaMStetsKsLp of 2364. There had been an increase of 109 in the existing clubs. Whereas the association had hoped to increase its revenue by £170, that figure would be down by about £45. Answering a question as to what the programme for inter-club play would be for the season, Mr. G. Nevitt said that the international situation made the position uncertain. So far, however, they intended 4tb' k carry on with the full programme ,of inter-club play. There would be no play on Sundays unless that was necessitated by bad weather. HARD TIME LIKELY. "Unfortunately there is a crisis in Europe which may shake the world to its very foundations," said the chairman, Mr. C. G. White, in proposing the adoption of the annual report (extracts from which have already been published). It was likely, he said, that sports bodies would have a hard time ahead. The incoming management committee would ask for the continued support of the clubs. The international situation might make a difference to the tournaments to be held, in Wellington during the Centennial celebrations, said Mr. L. H, Pollock, hiit so far they were going ahead and had to have their arrangements ready. He made an appeal to players to assist in the billeting of visiting players. Mr. White referred to the value of the courts at Miramar. He complimented the Wellington Lawn Tennis Umpires' Association on its valuable work. . Referring to the courts at Miramar, Mr. R. P. Cooper, chairman of the grounds committee, said that they had never.been in a better condition than now. He expressed appreciation Of the services of' the groundsman. Mr. R. Linton, who, for six months, had done the work practically unaided. OFFICERS ELECTED. Officers were elected as follows:— President, Mr. C. G. White; vice-presi-dents. Miss K. Nunnely, Messrs. j. L. Mac Duff, W. J. Melody, J. A. B. Howe; management committee, Messrs. A. M. Pinkerton. L. H. Pollock. H. L. Wise, R. P. Cooper. G. Nevitt, W. W. Stirling, R. McL. Ferkins, K. Dunnett, and T. N. Foden; honorary vice-presi-dents, Messrs. L. C. Blundell, W. P. Walker. B. Sutherland, D. A. Ewen. and G. Salmon; honorary secretary, Mr. A. C. W. Mantell-Harding; honorary treasurer. Mr. C. K. H. Donnell; honorary auditors. Messrs. Petherick, Webb, and Mackersey.