LAWN TENNIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 253, 22 September 1933, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS

PALMERSTON NORTH CLUB. PREPARING FOR NEW SEASON. In preparation for the new season, the Palmerston North Lawn Tennis Club held its annual meeting last night, when the president (Mr R. H. Spenoer) presided. The attendance ot members was not so large as usual, the adverse weather being undoubtedly responsible. An apology for absence was received from the patron (Mr H. N. Watson). The report (previously published) and balance-sheet were read and adopted on the motion of Mr C. C. Yates seconded by Mr A. E. Blackbourn, the mover remarking that it was a very favourable balance-sheet anil the club was to be congratulated on the pleasing outcome. The chairman added that so long as the club showed a credit-balance and wrote something off its assets, it was doing well. The treasurer (Mr R. C. Donald) remarked that the plant had been extensively written down and even if the club lost the services of the motor mower, in particular, the loss would not be severe. In the future the club could well consider the question of reducing its mortgage liability at the rate of £SO per annum, or even more. Every effort should, however, be made to enable the club to live within its means and refrain from operating on an overdraft. “The club,’’ concluded the speaker, “is in a better position to-day than for many years past.” ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the Incoming season resulted:—Patron, Mr H. N. Watson; president, Mr R. H. Spencer; vice-presidents, Messrs H. R. Cooper, L. Gardner, W. L. Fitzherbert, A. M. Onglcy, A. W. Thompson, J. W. Rutherfurd, H. F. Gibbons, Dr E. C. Barnett, Dr Hooper, and Mrs G.- E. Haggitt; committee, Messrs J. T. McDonald, L. Andrews, J. Grant, W. Beattie, C. C. Yates, D. I. Robertson ; ground superintendent, Mr A. E. Blackbourn; club captain, Mr W. Beattie; honorary’ treasurer, Mr R. C. Donald; honorary secretary, Mr W. S. Fox; honorary auditor, Mr K. C. Clayton; delegates to the Manawatu Association, Messrs C. C. Yates and J. T. McDonald; sole selector, Mr H. N. Watson. GENERAL. The subscriptions were fixed as under:—Men, £3 5s (less 10s if paid by December 1) ; active ladies, £2 5s (less 7s 6d) ; country men, £2 (less ss); country ladies, £1 10s (less ss) ; junior, £1 5s (less ss) ; honorary, ss. A ladies’ committee consisting of Misses Barnett, Skerman,. Carter, Astle and Turner and Mesdames Andrews, Beattie and Yates was formed to go into the question of the catering and report back to the committee. In the event of the existing system of catering not bejng proceeded with, the general committee was authorised to increase the ladies’ subscriptions by 2s 6d if this were considered necessary. The same honoraria were voted the honorary secretary and honorary’ treasurer as last year. • The opening day was set down for Saturday’, October 14, subject to the ground superintendent, granting permission. Eight new members were elected. Messrs Spencer, J. Grant, L. Gardner and W,. Beattie were set up as a committee to revise the rules of the club. The chairman extended thanks to the secretary and treasurer, the auditor, the ladies’ committee, and the groundsman (Mr J. Kershaw) for the excellent work they had performed during the year, the speaker paying tribute to the time and attention which had been devoted by Misses Barnett and Skerman in connection with the afternoon tea arrangements. In commenting upon the office filled by Mr A. E. Blackbourn, the chairman stated that the club could not have been better served than by that gentleman in the capacity of ground superintendent. Apart from the duties he had undertaken during the summer season, Mr Blackbourn had maintained his interest during the off-season and had been largely instrumental in securing for the club the lease of an area of land on the western side of the property—an area which would be most usefuly’ and convenient in more respects than one.