Franklin Lawn Tennis Association.

Franklin Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 108, 14 September 1938, Page 5

Franklin Lawn Tennis Association.

THE ANNUAL MEETING

IMPROVED FINANCIAL POSITION

MEMBERSHIP EXCEEDS 1000

"Membership once again provides a new record, and counting juniors now exceeds 1000,” stated the report of Ihe Franklin Lawn Tennis Association presented at last night’s annual meeting, the president, Mr J. A. Sparks, presiding over a fair attendance of delegates. The president of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, Mr Spencer Lamb, the Franklin Association delegate in Auckland, Mr Clive Johns, and Mr S. Cleal of the Auckland executive, were also present. The balance sheet showed an excess of income over expenditure of £5 13s 9d, and accumulated funds £ll7 6s 3d. ) Standard of Play Improved

The president in a review of the past year’s activities stated that all the

usual activities of the association were carried out during the year and it was pleasing to note that the standard of tennis showed evidence - of a steady but unmistakable rise. The first annual ball, following the jubilee ball held last year, was a real social success but the attendance fell well short of „lhe remarkable record of that fixture. The Easter tournament was again carried out successfully and proved a useful factor in bringing a large number of players into contact with one another.

“Inter-club matches: Altogether 58 teams from 32 clubs took part In these matches. They were divided into four grades with 14 groups. The new reserve A grade proved most successful and we anticipate this will prove one of the most popular grades as times goes on. The winners, Karaka, did not exercise their right to challenge the bottom team in the A grade. In contrast to last season the weather was favourable for most of our matches and this facilitated getting them off and greatly added to the enjoyment of the season.

“Champion of champion’s tournament, : Record entries were received l'or this tournament and it was in every way most successful. The standard of tennis, particularly in the finals was well up to that of any previous years. “Schools’ tournament: Entries were about on an average with previous years and the tournament showed we have - a number of promising players coming on.

“Inter-group matches: For the first time these matches were extended to include all grades and gave a large number of players a chance to meet members of other clubs in friendly contest. All the teams filled their engagements and although the cost of balls made a heavy call on our finances we think the expenditure .justified itself.

“Representative matches: Only one representative match was played—the annual match against the Parnell Club. This was played on the Parnell courts and the result, a draw, was highly creditable to our players who were all strangers to grass courts. Particular credit must go to our ladies who won practically all their matches. Counting up the games our team can claim a win in this important fixture. “A Notable Performance” “Spalding cup: By winning this cup for the second time our representatives put up a notable performance. Particularly so because for the first time all five of the sub-associations were fully represented. In turn our players beat Kaipara 9 —l, Rodney 9 —l, Bay of Plenty 7—3 and the holders of the cup, Thames Valley, G —4. Our ladies put up a great performance in going through all these matches without losing a set in singles, doubles or combined. ' We think if only fitting to put the names of our team on record, namely: Men, K. Clark and R. Saddleton (Waiau Pa), I. C. Bayly (Pukekohe), and J. Aitkenhead

Team Presented With IVlemento (Waiuku) : ladies, Misses J. Barker and B. Potter (Waiuku). Mrs A. Wright and Miss L. .leffries (Pukekohe). As a small memento of their performance a photograph of the team was presented to each member.

“Felicitations: To the winners of the association’s cups, shields and trophies we extend our hearty congratulations, also to those who so worthily represented us in representative matches. Players who did well in outside tournaments should also be mentioned. These include Miss L. Jeffries, winner of two events at the Tauranga tournament, 1. 0. Bayly, .1. Aitkenhead and R. Saddleton, winners at the Auckland handicap meeting, and Miss B. Potter, winner of the junior championship at Hamilton and runnerup in Auckland. One of our former champions, Miss B. Bishop, won all three events at the hard court championships in Auckland and is now ranked fourth lady in New Zealand.

“Thanks: Our best thanks must once again go to all our clubs and their officials who loyally supported the association during the season. Special mention and grateful thanks must be tendered to our vice-presi-dents, Messrs Anderson and Johns, for the very handsome shield donated for competition in the reserve A grade, and to Mr Munro for a handsome donation to the Easter tournament funds, and Mr W. Richards for acting as auditor for the ninth successive season. The Election of Officers

“President’s message: Once again if gives me pleasure to place on record my appreciation of the sterling service which our secretary has given the association during the year. It has been one of greatly increased activity on account of extra grades and intergroup matches. There is not the slightest doubt that we have a wonderful enthusiast and worker in Mr Morrin and I hope the incoming executive will be able to make some worthy recognition of his invaluable services over the past years. In conclusion I express the hope that the 1938-39 season will he very successful for all clubs from both a playing and a soical angle. Unity is strength and the association needs that utmost co-operation in all its activities. I am sure this will be forthcoming.” The election of officers resulted: — Patron, Mr A. Park Horne; president, Mr J. A. Sparks; vice-presidents, Messrs G. G. Munro, W. E. Johns and E. R. Glasgow; secretary and treasurer, Air W. G. Morrin; emergency committee, Messrs L. J. Burke, A. Fausett, C. Holst, the president and secretary, ex officio: delegates to Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, Messrs J. A. Sparks, A. G. Johns and W. G. Morrin; auditor, Air W. E. Richards; selectors, Messrs W. C. Alorrin, G. Willis and J. Aitkenhead. Schools’ Tournament The annual schools’ champion of champions tournament is to be conducted again this year, and in the event of the Herbert Smith Trust Fund being exhausted, the association decided to find the miniature cups. Air G. G. Munro (Waiuku) offered to donate £1 Is toward the purchase of the trophies and he was thanked.

The annual Easter tournament is to be conducted on the same lines ' as those of the last two years, anti it was decided to apply to the Pukekohe club for the use of its courts for the occasion.

The Waiuku club is to be invited to stage the annual ball this year at Waiuku.

A secret ballot was taken on the question of a standard ball for the association and the Spalding was adopted. It was decided to hold the next meeting on October 11. Entries for the competitions are to close on October 4.

Davis Cup Team

Mr Lamb spoke at some length about his recent trip to Wellington to attend,the annual meeting of the New Zealand Association which was presided over by Mr Percy Harrison, who during the meeting, was elected a life member of the association. He mentioned that the Australian Davis Gup Team and ladies’ touring team would be passing through Auckland towards the end of October and exhibition matches would be played in Auckland. Mr Johns addressed the meeting, describing the activities of the Umpires’ Association. A New Zealand Association had now been formed and it was hoped that many more branches would be formed throughout New Zealand. A suggestion that Mr Johns should visit Pukekohe and lecture to a local meeting was readily acceded to and it was left to the delegates to make necessary arrangements. Mr deal also addressed the meeting on the social side of tennis. Mr Munro proposed a vote of thanks to the Press for featuring association activities. Mr Sparks moved that congratulations be conveyed to Mr Percy Harrison on being elected a life member of the New ealand body and that the meeting places on record its appreeior* tion of same. The motion was carried.

THE ST. JAMES CLUB ANNUAL MEETING ' The question of an additional court for the St. James Tennis Club was raised at the club's annual meeting last evening. “The El. .lames church managers have granted the club permission to lav down another court and have placed a charge of £5 per year upon the club for the use of the church’s property on which the courts are situated,” said the president, Mr A. Sch-

| New Court ;laepfer. Owing to the present guarantors having been relieved of their responsibility to the club and that the laying down of the new court would involve a cost of nearly £IOO it was decided that new guarantors would have to be found.

“There is a growing feeling among | church members that the tennis club ! is slowly drifting away from church members, and I would suggest that the tennis club should some day purchase the land and then go ahead,” continued the president. It was decided to proceed with the i work of a new court, as soon as is practicable. In concluding his annual report Air Schlaepfer thanked the secretary, Air A. Fausett, and the auditor, Air D. R. Hamilton, for the excellent work they had done for the club during the past year. Tiie report and balance sheet which showed the club to be in a sound financial position, were adopted. ! Subscriptions for the coming year were increased by 2/6, making them now: Alen, 25/-; women, £1; and juniors, 12/6. The ladder system of selecting representative teams as adopted previously was discarded, and the selector system adopted. The selectors are:— Alessrs A. Fausett, R. Wilson and G. Rush. An increase in membership was reported. The following officers were elected: Patron, Rev. J. Pattison; president, Mr .A. Schlaepfer; vice-presidents, Messrs j G. R. Wright, J. Roulston, senr., L. G. Sharp, G. K. Lawrie, A. Schlaepfer; .secretary, Air A. Fausett; auditor, Mr; D. R. Hamilton; committee, Mrs H. Shotbolt, Aliss A. Scott, Aliss B. Perkins, Aliss N. Perkins and Alessrs R. Perkins, T. Keven, R. Wilson, G. Rush, A. Potter and D. Peebles; club captain, Air A. Fausett; vice-captain, Mr R Perkins; delegates to Franklin Lawn Tennis Association, Alessrs Fausett and Perkins.

it was decided to enter A and B teams in the Franklin Association’s competition.