TENNIS NOTES

Grey River Argus, 9 February 1929, Page 10

TENNIS NOTES

(By “Service.”) Weather conditions have not been favourable for tennis of late, and with the lull that follows the championship tournament the courts have presented a very busy appearance. On Saturday, however, tennis fans will be well catered for, as on the Grey Courts, Greymouth and Hokitika. B teams meet and at Hokitika the local A’s will engage Greymouth A’s. The United Club has a handicap tournament on, so that given a fine day, there should be some interesting play. The St. Calumba Club have in view away matches with Hokilika and Roa. with a possibility, also of visiting Waiuta. Although handicapped by lack of courts, there are some promising players in the Club, as was instanced when Marriott and Anisey won the “A” grade Handicap Doubles at the recent Championships, while Marriott also accounted for the “B” grade Handicap Singles, with Anisy runner up. Under the caption “things are done better on the Coast”, the Christchurch “Star’s” Tennis scribe makes the following comments on the manner in which Tournaments are conducted locally. There is a tendency to decry the home product after a holiday and say how much better they do things where we have been. (The cakes mother used to bake were unsung in her days). So after one has enjoyed a trip to the West Coast championship meeting and has been hospitably entertained, a certain discount can be allowed on the following remarks. At the West Coast, they run tournaments better —much better —ever so much better. In the first place with the same entrance fees as were charged for the Christmas tournament at Wilding Park, the West Coast Association supplied balls free for the matches. T:i the semi-finals, new balls were supplied for each set. A visitor to the recent Palmerston North ournament states that ball were provided by the association there, and it is understood the same practice is followed by most of the North Island associations.

Now, another thing. All competitors at Greymouth were supplied with morning and afternoon tea each day free of charge. This was not tea and biscuits. If the cakes supplied were truly described the entrants for next year’s tournament would ciowd out the hotels.

And yet another thing. All visiting competitors received a free ticket to a dance that was arranged to entertain the visitors. It cost the local players six shillings, but they rolled up in good style. And for the last. Visitors are well and truly welcomed. They are made t 0 feel they were the guests of the Coast. Evqry official, every player, vies with each other in the little courtesies that make things run smoothly. There is one other thing, but by many it may not be considered a merit. Mr Dennehy, who runs these ournaments, has a list of competitors prominently displayed on the blackboards. It is an honour list. It records how many games each competitor has umpired. Even if the Canterbury Association cannot supply balls for tournaments (and it should), even if it is not possible to supply morning and afternoon tea and arrange tenuis dances, it is possible for our tournaments t 0 be run on friendlier lines. This does not mean slack management. On the Coast no player had a “pull” over the management. The official in charge never 'hud his authority questioned

and he, in turn, was eager to help everyone. But it is not the officials who can do the most. It is for the competitors to do their bit and make the tournaments friendlier and happier fixtures. A little of the Wes Coast. fellowshii) spirit is what is needed at Wilding Park. The above remarks come from the pen of Mr K. Tillman, who contested several of the events at the last West . Coast Championships, and although failing to carry off any of the was responsible for some fine display’s. Such prqise is needed gratifying both to the Committee, players and the very able baud of ladies who did so much to contribute to the success of the tournament.