LAWN TENNIS

Evening Star, Issue 19044, 12 September 1925, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETTIHG The animal meeting of tho Otago Lawn Tennis Association was held in Mr.E. S. Wilson’s board room last night, Mr J. Meek (vice-president) in the chair. REPORT. The annual report read as under: — In submitting the annual report for tho past year the committee is pleased to record that tho past season has been a most successful one. The weather was ideal for tennis, and the various ■competitions were keenly contested. The want of courts is still keenly felt, ami is keeping a largo number of players from taking part in tho game, and it is hoped that when Logan Park is available a certain section of this area will be set aside for tennis. Club_ Matches.—Tho various club competitions were closely contested, and your committee desires to congraiulnfo the following clubs on winning tbs banners for the past season : A grade, University; B grade, Cosy Dell; C grade, North-east Valley. School Tennis.—lt is pleasing to note that the game is becoming more popular in the schools, mainly through the efforts of Mr B. B. Couston, who continues to devote a vast amount of time in encouraging the game amongst these young players, and evidence of the good work being done is now being shown by voung players in several of the club's who have been taught tho game in the schools. Too much praise cannot he bestowed on Mr B. B. Couston, for his excellent work in connection with the Junior Association. , The animal schools’ tournament again proved a great success, and some excellent forjm was shown by these young players which augurs well for the future success of the game in Otago. Thanks arc also duo to Miss Hislop and other sports mistresses of tho various schools for the excellent services rendered in connection with the schools’ annual tournament.

Representative Matches.—The annual representative match between Otago and Canterbury was played at the Anderson Bay courts, and the match provided a most interesting game, Otago eventually winning by 12 matches, 24 sets, 232 games to Canterbury’s 12 matches, 21 sets, 216 names. Your association was also favored by a visit from the South Canterbury team, the match resulting in a win for Otago by 2 rubbers, 37 sets, 262 games to South Canterbury’s 2 rubbers, 4 sets, 149 games. An Otago team also visited Oamaru, and played a match against North Otago, winch resulted in a win for Otago by 15 sets to 9 sets. The Otago team journeyed to Invercargill and played a match against the Southland team, victory resting with Otago after an interesting game. Your committee desires to express its best thanks to the Southland Association for the hospitality extended to our representatives.

"Other Matches.—An unofficial team visited Central Otago in January and played several matches. This tomproved most enjoyable, and the visit was much appreciated by the country clubs, and these visits help to improve the standard of plav in the country districts. It is hoped during the coming season that similar tours will be arranged.

Easter Tourney.—The annual Easter tournament again attracted a largo entry, and it was necessary to utilise the Otago University and St. Kilda courts, as well as the association’s courts. The tournament proved most successful. The following were the winners,, of the various events;.—Men's singles championship, 11. A. Guy; men's doubles championship, S. N. Brown and G. Clark; ladies’ singles championship, Miss Pattison; mixed doubles championship, R. A. Guy and Miss M’Adam; mixed doubles handicap, Manchester and Miss Fleming; ladies’ doubles handicap, Mrs Scoullar and Miss Jones; men’s doubles handicap, Service brothers; ladies’ singles handicap, Miss White; men’s singles handicap, K. Bennington. iaukee Tournaments.—The season was opened with a Yankee tournament, and another was held during February, both of which proved very successful. Miss M’Adam and Dr Moody had the honor of winning the M’Milhm Cup. Now Zealand Championship Meeting. —The association had the oifer of the New Zealand Championship meeting, and the committee went very carefully into this matter; but owing to the regulations to be carried out regarding the courts and seating accommodation and the expenses involved therein, the committee had reluctantly to abandon the idea of applying to have the championships held in Dunedin.

01 iib Competitions.—The question of club competitions is a matter that will require the attention of the incoming committee, to consider if a more satisfactory scheme can be arranged, especially in connection with A grade matches. THE DISCUSSION'. Tn moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the Chairman expressed pleasure that every Dunedin club was represented—an encouraging thing, lie commented on the Now Zealand Championship meeting suggested to be held in Dunedin at the New Year. The association had a great deal of trouble in that conneoton. Mr Couston and others tried to arrange details for holding the tournament gt Carisbrook, and tound that it would' cost between £SOO and £6OO to stage them there. No one had thought the cost would come to that. From the Now Zealand Association came an intimation that the Otago Association would got one-third of the takings. In those circumstances it was seen that Otago could not possibly have the tournament hold hero. It would bo played at Christchurch, whore grass courts wore already laid down, cutting out an expenditure that otherwise would be heavy.

Referring to the tennis courts at Logan Park, the chairman said that the courts allotted to tennis had been laid down in a long line at the southern cud of the park—the most exposed part. The matter had had attention drawn to it, and the churns of the tennis game would be reconsidered by the authorities. The balance-sheet showed a debit of £72. He regretted this. A sports body > should, ho thought, bo able to pay its way. Thatpnight bo wiped out by having a handicap tournament at Christmas, ns well as the usual tournament at Easter time. £175 debentures and £250 mortgage on-Anderson Bay courts had been paid during the year ; £319 was still outstanding on the Bay property. Mr H. W. Hunter seconded A member pointed out that for the year they wore only £8 down. The remainder of the debit had been carried forward from last year. Mr B. B. Couston congratulated the” Otago representatives for their fine performance in interprovincial engagements. The A grade matches should, he thought, be carried right on through the season, instead of through the first half of the season only. On that decision hung the fate of the University Club, who, it must be agreed, had the best chance in present circumstances, The motion was carried. OFFICE-BEARERS. The following officers were elected:— President, Dr A. S. Moody; vice-presi-dents—Messrs A. M'Miilan, J. Meek, S. N. Brown, and Geo. Clark; secre-tary-treasurer, Mr E. S. Wilson ; committee—Messrs W. Bray (Otago), S.

G. M'Dougall (Roslyn), G. Carter (St. Andrew’s), E. D. Duthie (Motina), A. E. M'Adam (Anderson Bay), A. T. Jensen (Cosy Dell), J. Fulton (University), J. I/jggett (North-east Valley), and C. Hamilton (Waimana); lion, nndit-or, Mr B. H. Colder; vice-presi-dent New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, Dr Moodv; delegate to Now Zealand Hawn I'ennis Association— Messrs R. Parle, H. Graves, T. Gray, W. Bray, and B. B. Couston. Various other matters were discussed, one or two recommendations to the new committee wore passed, and it was decided to declare the season open as Irom Saturday, September 12.