TENNIS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2764, 19 August 1931, Page 5

TENNIS.

■ THE PAEROA CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The seventh annual general meeting of the Paeroa Lawn Tennis Club was held last evening, Mr D. G. McMillan (president) presiding over a small attendance of members. Annual Report. The eighth annual report was as fellows:— “Finance.—The finances of tv. club are in a sound position, another successful season being brought tc a satisfactory conclusion. The debit bank balance stands at £BO 15s 7d, a reduction of £6 9s 2d on the previous season’s figures. It was found possible to reduce the bank overdraft by £25, and therefore the overdraft limit is now £lOO. The assets of the club show a surplus of £2BB 10s Id over the liabilities. “Membership.—The season closed with a total membership of 105, comprising 63 ladies and 42 gentlemen. This is an increase of cne on the prr vious season, ‘Unpaid subscriptions.—The. sum of £9 15s 6d is outstanding in unpaid subscriptions. The committee feels confident, however, that this sum will in due course be considerably reduced. ■‘Construction, —Various iimprovements were effected throughout the season; a fine tool shed for housing the motor mower, tools, nets, etc., has been erected by the voluntary labour’ of members, and an exposed boundary has been set with hedge plants. “Maintenance.—.Labour was employed throughout the season for the purpose of cutting, marking and rolling the courts and general maintenance work. The usual sum has also been spent in top dressing and levelling the high standard of the courts being fully maintained and. if anything, improved. Since the close of, the season the courts have been levelled and it is anticipated that Hie surface for the coming season will be greatly improved. Labour was also employed for the purpose of dispensing afternoon tea and this arrangement proved highly -satisfactory.

“Matches.—The club entered teams in both A and B grade T.V.L.T.A-inter-club matches and though neither team proved victorious, the standard of play was high, both teams, reaching the finals, being defeated ill both grades by Thames. Miss V.’ Shand was again successful in winning the ladies’ singles championship and Mr A. A. Ruston secured the Marshall Cup. In the T.V. Easter Tournament at Te Aroha, Paeroa was well represented. The ladies’ handicap singles was won by Miss Shand, the same player. being in the final for the ladies’ championship doubles. Mrs Handley and Miss A. O’Neil also reached the final in the ladies’ handicap doubles. Friendly games played between the Ngatea, Kerepeehi and Waihi Clubs were greatly appreciated, pleasure and profit resulting to all concerned.

“Coaching. — A feature cf the 1930-31 season was the visit of Mr E.' W. Griffiths, of Auckland, whose services for coaching members were secured by the committee. Great benefit resulted to all players, who took advantage of this opportunity. As you are all our secretary, Mr Priestley, has left this district. Your committee wishes to place, on record his valued services as secretary, the past two successful seasons being in no small degree due to his untiring efforts.

“In conclusion your committee thanks all who have assisted in furthering the welfare of the club, enabling it to record another successful season.

“Thanks.—The Club is indebted to the Press for its help in publishing matters, and also to the auditor, Mr H. 11. Bray. “To the incoming executive, the committee confidently hands over the club’s affairs, wishing them every success in their stewardship throughout the next season.”

In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet. Mr McMillan said that the club had continued to make wonderful progress and was now in a sound financial position. Considering that eight years ago the land on which the courts stood was a wilderness the wisdom of the foundation members was to be commended.

These remarks were endorsed by Mr H. Thorp and by Mr A. P. Grant, who expressed the hope that the same progressive policy would' be followed in the future, and that future annual reports would disclose a similar satis-factory-position. Officers. The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr W. Marshall; President, Mr A. P. Grant; Vice-President, Mr C. N. O’Neill; Club Captain, Mr H. Thorp; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr C. Ward; Committee: Messrs D. G. McMillan. G. Masters, F. Thorp, S. J. Hedge, E. H. Bartley, Misses V.

Shand, J. Bellamy, and Mrs C. Handley; Delegates to Thames Valley Lawn Tennis Association, Messrs C. Ward, D. G. McMillan and H. Thorp; Social Committee: Mesdames McMillan and Handley, and Miss Argali, and Messrs G. Gamble and E. H. Bartley, with power to add. ' Constitution of Teams. On the motion of Mr F. Thorp, the delegates to the Thames Valley Tennis Association were instructed to advocate that inter-club teams comprise six men and six ladies, instead of six men and four ladies as formerly. If this is not adopted the delegates were instructed to advocate that lady members of teams be on the same footing as gentlemen in regard to the length of matches. Annual Tournament. It was agreed to accept the Thames Valley Association’s tournament at Paeroa, if it was offered to the club. Ladder Matches. The Match Committee was recommended to have ladder matches played on the same lines as inter-club competition matches, in that if the competition were the best of three sets the ladder matches be the same, but if the competition matches remain at seven or nine games the ladder matches be as in the past. Subscriptions. The incoming committee was recommended to consider reducing the subscriptions. Appreciation of Work. The meeting- closed with votes of thanks to the retiring officers and to the Press.