PUKEKOHE EAST.

Franklin Times, Volume 14, Issue 193, 19 October 1925, Page 4

PUKEKOHE EAST.

OPENING OF TENNIS COURTS. '

mr. e. d. Mclennan officiates

The member for Franklin, Mr E. D. McLennan, officiated at the opening of the Pukekohe East Tennis Club’s 4 ** courts on Saturday afternoon. There was a big attendance, including representatives from the Pukekohe Hill West End (Puni), Pukekohe Central,’ Suburban, and Bombay Clubs.

The president of the club, Mr A. Mahoney, introduced Mr McLennan] and asked him as the club’s patron to perform the ceremony.

Mr McLennan was loudly applauded as he rose to declare the courts open. He said it afforded him the greatest pleasure to accede to the request to open the courts. Throughout his life, he said, he had been associated with many kinds of sport, and he had arrived at the conclusion that good clean sport provided healthy recreation for young and old alike, while it also cultivated comradeship and goodfellowship. He had played.tennis and cricket a good deal, and realised that such games, as well as others, assisted to prepare one for the battle through life. He urged upon all to play the game as it should be played—and not take a point that was not fairly won. It should be the aim of all true sportsmen to play the game in such a manner that would provide pleasure for others. He said he understood that up till a short time ago the club held its court under what the Labour Party would call the “usehold” tenure (laughter), “but I am pleased to say.V he continued, “that now the club had the property under the freehold tenure and under such tenure there was an incentive for the'club to go ahead and improve its property, and make it moi ; e and more attractive.” He thanked them for asking him to open the- courts and said that he was pleased to - be able to do so. After wishing theuclub every success in the future,. Mr'McLennan asked Mrs Mahoney, to play the first ball, which shedid ' amid cheers, and he then declared the courts open for play. (Cheers): . „

Mr Mahoney thanked Mr McLennan.' for performing the ceremony and wished him success in the election campaign.

Three hearty cheers were accorded Mr McLennan, the Prime Minister, the Hon. J. G. Coates, and Mrs Mahoney. Play was then indulged in and a happy afternoon was spent. Dainty refreshments were handed round by the ladies.

The. membership of the club starfds at about 70. an increase of about 25

as compared with last year. The three courts, which cost about £7O, plus free labour by the members, to construct, are in good order to coigimence Hie season, but it is hoped that •before long Hie sand surface will be replaced by asphalt. The following are the officials of the club: Patron. Mr E. D. McLennan, M.P.: president, Mr A. Mahoney; vicepresidents,' Messr C. Benjamin, .i-f Dickson. W. Holmes. S. and T. Hamilton, Geo. Ingram, R. Farrell and’G. Flavell; committee, Mrs I. Scott, Misses Robinson. Appleby, Messrs 0. Hartland, A. Plumer, H. Papesch; treasurer. Mr E. Hall; joint secretaries, Messrs T. Dickson and K:' Papesch.