TENNIS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 19 November 1927, Page 10

TENNIS

SOUTH TARANAKI CONTROL. . 'S 4 * LOCAL ASSOCIATION MOOTED. SUGGESTION RECEIVES APPROVAL,. .(by “Side-line.”) Dissatisfaction lias been expressed by South, Taranaki tennis enthusiasts for some time past, concerning the control of the sport as at present exercised by tne Taranaki Lawn Tennis Association which has its headquarters at New Plymouth. Owing to the distance to the north of the province, the southern

clubs have uq direct representation on the executive of the association, and as ) is to be expected under such circumstances, the requirements of local players are not fully appreciated. The association has now decided to discontinue * the usual B gca.de competition held iu the province, and the prospects indicate -that unless some action is taken in South Taranaki to promote the interests of enthusiasts in this district, the sport will not show the advancement which has been expected. It is obvious that some, drastic change in the control is necessary so far as the southern part of Taranaki is concerned, and this would seem to be best met by the .formation of a South Taranaki Association, Should this suggestion meet with as general approval .as . the enthusiastic remarks of a number of prominent Hawera players would indicate, the clubs affected should take the earliest opportunity of bringing the suggestion into effect in order that a competition for the district might be organised and commenced before the sea,.ion has advanced too far. South Taranaki supporters of the game have complained that they Lave not received benefit from the parent body equivalent to the amount of capitation contributed to its upkeep, but it would seem that with the discontinuation of the competition they will receive no benefit whatsoever. This latest action is unmistakeably a retro-J grade. step, if not an admission of weakness. Little interest in its conduct was displayed by the, controlling authority last year, and the play-off between the champions of the respective north and south division was not arranged. The members of the Hawera team who were successful in the south claim, that this was due to no fault of theirs, as they were prepared to play om a number or days which they submitted rand even offered to journey to New Plymouth in order that the provincial championship might be decided, but no action was taken in the north and the play-off was postponed time after time until the season closed. Similar difficulty was experienced by South Taranaki enthusiasts af cricket and croquet for both qf which sports associations to control play in this district have been formed during recent year:s. In the formed instance the game has benefited considerably, as a result of the change, and there are bright prospects of similar results _ emanating in the case of the latter, which has not yet been given a sufficient trial. It would seem, therefore, that tennis in South Taranaki would also benefit considerably if the action suggested were adopted. A local association would naturally be able to meet the require- 1 ments of players better than a, New Plymouth body could possibly hope to ■ do, and on account of the distance to ■ the headquartersi the transport ex- 1 ' peases involved in delegates attending • meetings would not be justified. Con- ■ seqviently in the past, the clubs have ■ nominated New Plymouth residents as representatives on the association, and < although the representatives have no ■ doubt, endeavoured to do what seemed ■ best in the interests of the southern district, the system has proved unsatis- - factory. - . The action advocated in this article . was suggested to a number, of prominent representatives of the local clubs • who unanimously agreed that the for- - mat ion or an association to control the immediate district of South Taranaki < would give a much better service to the * dubs and players. A well-known mem- •. beT of the Hawera Club remarked that such a . body as has been suggested could conduct a residential ladder to j ascertain- the best players in the distriet, and in many other ways foster the sport thus increasing the standard .• of play and the popularity of the game. -

BOROTRA IN NEW ZEALAND

FRENCH TEAM EXPECTED. The French team that is on its way out to Australia will not be seen in action at the New Zealand championships, but it is almost certain that the French players will be with us some time in January. The New Zealand Management Committee has. been in close touch with the French authorities for some time, and it is hoped to clinch matters) with an official of the Australian Tennis Association who is arriving at Auckland from the Old World this week-end. If tlie French players do break their journey here, the stay will be very short, but there should be ample time to play a match against a New Zealand team, or the New Zealand Association may see fit to arrange invitation singles and doubles, and then it might so happen that we would 6ee Frenchman meeting Frenchman' .in the singles hut all depends upon how many iruitelies the visitors are prepared to play. Borotra, of course, will be the big draw, but Brugnon is also quite an attractive player, better in doubles than singles, yet for all that quite in the championship singles class. Boussus is France’s star junior player, and although lies is only 17 years of age is quite capable of putting up stem opposition against the finest senior champions of the world. In fact the whole reason why he is go good is that be has been encouraged to play with and' against the senior champions, without being debarred from competing in the junior championships.

COMING EVENTS

O'PEN CLUB TOURNAMENTS. Hawera, December 24, 26, 27, and j. , 28, championships and handicaps, at A Hawera; Martinborooigh, December ’ 26, 27, 28, and 29, championships and handicaps, at Martinborough; Palliafcua, January 2, 3 and 4, championships, at Pahiatua; Dannevirke, January 23, 24, 25, and 26, championships

and handicaps, at D'annevirke; Hawke's Bay, April 0,7, 9, and 10, championships and handicaps, at Napier. , EASTEiB DATES. North Auckland, April t>, 7,9, and 10, championships and handicaps, at Wiiangarei; N.Z. Maori, April (5, 7,9, and 10, N.Z. championships, at (not fixed) ; Waikato, April 0,7, 9, and 10. Easter tournament, at Auckland; North Is],and champion ships, at Hamilton; Auckland, April (j, 7,9, and 10, Otago, April 6,7, 9, and 10, championships, and handicaps, at Dunedin; Wellington, April 6,7, 9, and 10, Easter tournament, at Miramar.