Lawn Tennis

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7240, 21 August 1933, Page 10

Lawn Tennis

MANAWATU ASSOCIATION HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Manavi’atu Lawn Tennis Association was held on .Friday night, when the president (Mr. H. N. Watson) presided. Also present were Messrs J. T. McDonald, C. C. Yates, D. I. .Robertson (Palmerston North), S. Stannard (Northern), N. Hansen (Hokowhitu), T. Bird (Takaro), N. Harding (Pending), 0. Jackson (Bunnythorpe), L. Lovelock (I’akiatua) and T. M. N. Rodgers (secretary). In speaking to the annual report, the president remarked that the Palmerston North v. The Rest match had found the former team too strong, some of the champions of the country clubs having forsaken their own clubs to come into the city clubs and, in consequence, the sides had not been well balanced, with unsatisfactory and unfortunate results. Referring to the ladies’ match, the speaker advanced the suggestion that the match bo limited to 10 aside, and that instead of the greater number going out to meet the smaller number, that the match be played in Palmerston North and that the Manawatu Club be invited to present the fixture. Tko inter-association matches had not, in his opinion, been well managed, the committeemen not taking the active roles they might have. Commenting upon the financial aspect of the association, the president stressed tho necessity for particularly careful management as a loss of £l4 had resulted on the year’s working. At this stage Mr. Watson vacated the chair in favour of Mr. McDonald, who expressed the hope that the inter-association matches had not been so mismanaged as stated by the president. It was not always possible for the members of the committee to get to the courts in the early morning, while the playing members were engaged on the courts and were unable to give matters their personal attention.

In commenting upon the decline in the association’s finances, the chairman stated that the holding of the Christie Cup was an expensive item in so far as entertainment and the cost of tennis balls were concerned. Other holders of the trophy had found themselves similarly placed, but he hoped that Manawatu would retain tho cup a 3 long as possible. Mr. Watson stressed the necessity for informing challengers for the Christie Cup of tho association’s financial position, for he felt sure that they would appreciate the position and willingly forego expensive dinners at the conclusion of tho matches. Mr. Robertson mentioned, in reply to a question, that the first two items on the balance sheet were in respect to accounts which had been carried forward from the previous year, and the balance on the season’s operations was actually £9 better than appeared in the balance sheet.

Election of Officers.

The election of officers for the incoming season resulted: —President, Mr. H. N. Watson (re-elected); vice-presidents, Dr. Thompson (Levin) and Dr. E. C. Barnett (Palmerston North); treasurer, Mr. D. I. Robertson (ro-elocted); secro-1 tary, Mr. J. H. White; committee, 1 Messrs J. T. McDonald, N. Harding, u. j C. Yates, N. Hansen, S. Stannard, T. B. 1 Worrall, L. Lovelock; selector, Mr. H.; N. Watson (re-elected); delegates to N.Z. Lawn Tennis Association, Messrs J. T. McDonald (Palmerston North) and H. J. Thompson and Graham Crosslev (Wellington); auditor, Mr. R. H. Spencer. A -welcome was extended to Mr. Love- 1 lock as tho delegate from the Pahiatua Club, which is affiliating with the Manawatu Association this season. The secretary mentioned that in the 1931-32 season 20 clubs involving 1055 players had been affiliated to the association. One club (Ohau) had dropped out, but had been replaced by tho Mas--sey College Club, and last season the number of players had totalled 1046. The affiliation of Pahiatua would swen the number by approximately 80. Services Appreciated. Tribute was paid to the services rendered to the association by Air. Rodgers during his term as secretary, general regret being expressed at his inability to again accept office. Mr. Rodgers, in acknowledging the complimentary references, stated that he had been materially assisted by 'Messrs McDonald,' Yate3 and Robertson. He had keenly enjoyed the work and it was with a large measure of regret that he found ho could not carry on this year. Mr. Jackson, on behalf of tho Buunythorpe Club, spoke eulogistically of the manner in which tho grade competi-j tions, in which his club had figured, had been conducted, while Mr. Hansen spoke similarly where the Hokowhitu Club was concerned in the Wednesday competitions. Congratulations wore extended to tho Levin Club on winning the final of the inter-club series, the chairman stating that it was tho first occasion on which the honours had gone south. The Feilding Club was also congratulated on winning the northern section. Appreciation was voiced of the generosity of Messrs G. H. Bennett and Co. and Messrs Innes and Oakley in donating cups for competition in the secondary schools. Championship Contests. Tho chairman,-reported that it had been suggested that a national hard court championship be introduced and

tho opinions of the associations were being sought. Mr. Yates considered that the present championshij met the position and, in Lis opinion, it was inadvisable to extend the championships further. Mr. Watson considered that there were already too many championships and tlio bringing together of the firstclass men from all quarters of the Dominion would be well nigh impossible. In his opinion there were far too many provincial championships, and the European and American system of declaring such contests merely open singles, etc., should bo introduced in the Dominion. It was decided to instruct the association’s delegates to voto against the suggestion. The elm,u man, in referring to the junior sard court championship, pointed out that it was distinctly advantageous to encourage the young players. It was decided to support any steps in that direction. Mr. Watson stated that there was no good resulting from the intermediate tournament, which was for players between IS and 20 years. In reality, it was merely protecting players for two years, yet many of the world’s champions in both sexes had been as young as 16 when they had attained hign honours in their own countries. There was no need for their protection, and they did not do it in America, England or France, the leading tennis countries. It was mentioned that a recommendation that tho series bo abolished had already been sent forward to the N.Z. Association and the delegates were instructed to register their votes accordingly. General. Mr. Harding considered that the Christmas dates for tho open tourney were not suitable, many players being on vacation at that time of the year. His club was also desirous of having six men playing in the A grade interclub matches in lieu of four, as Feilding, while not strong enough to participate in both grades, had a few members well worthy of encouragement by promotion to A grade. The difiieulty of somo clubs being able to cope with the additional players was pointed out, Mr. Lovelock stating that the Pahiatua Club would not havo sufficient courts this season. Mr. Harding accordingly requested that the matter be held over for another year, when the position might be different. Mr. Yates directed attention to the fact that the holding of tho annual meeting of tho association beforo the clubs met created a peculiar position, for it was invariably the delegates of the previous season who attended. As a result the delegates came along without any instruction from their clubs. Mr. Watson stated that the weakness lay with the clubs for it was essential that the association meet before the New Zealand Association. Tho clubs should hold their meetings earlier.

Mr. Harding stated that the mles of his club had been altered to meet the position, but it had been found impossible to get the members together so early in tho season. Mr. Jackson said that it would be impossible to call a meeting of tennis players while the winter activities wero in progress, where his club was concerned. It was decided to make overtures to tho N.Z. Association to delay its annual meeting till the end of September instead of August.