LAWN TENNIS.

Northern Advocate, 16 July 1921, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS.

THE HIKURANGI CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING

The annuall meeting of itfhe Hikurangi Tennis C'lub was held ion Thursday, Mr G. J. Paif!ie j president, occupied the chair, aind there was a failattendance of members of both spxefe. Mr T. Burley secretary, read the minutes of /the previous annual meeting which were duly confirmedand as treasurer, presented the annual 'balance sheet which showed the club to be in a 'healthy financial position. The retiring president's report was presented as follows: —

As you all know it i s the usuai custom for (the president, at the end cf his term of office } to present a report upon the season just ended, and as I 'have ihad the honour of holding that important office I therefore have very much pleasure in presenting to you my report for the season 192021.

Our season was .opened on Saturday ©ctober 25 j in perfect weather. Thankis ito our caretaker and some, energetic members of the committee the lawns were in good order. Afternoon tea, such (ate has mad.e the Hikurangi Tennis 'and Bowling' Clubs famous was dispensed ; by the ladies, and Altogether >a very, enjoyable afternoon was spent. On October 27 the Pair s Tournament waia won by Miss Fhillips and Mr McDomaltj. During the (season'matches were.'played against the ; clubs—Mairtown, Maromaku, Kamo and Maunu. Nine games in all were played and resulted" in four wins and .five 'losses. All the games lost, except-one were very close finishes. The "ladder system Which wais inaugurated during the season prove.l a great sueceds. Keen .competition resulted in Mr, Huston retaining that coveted position the top rung of the hdder in the' gentlemen's section, while Miss Hilda Pearson reached a similar position in the ladies' class", thereby winning the Dudley Cup, which wia s presented to her at the tennis social held at the close of the season. T'he membership of 'the club now stands 'at 22 ladies and 27 gentlemen, and I venture to predict that this number will be greatly increased in the coming seas op. Considering the, heavy expenditure .incurred during the .season, I think the balance sheet which you 'have just heard read disclosed 'a very. satisfactory financial! position. For this enviable position the thanks of the club are due to our Secretary j Mr. Burley, for his careful and able handling of the filiiancels. I very much regret that the cluflb ha s not yet succeeded in putting down asphalt courts in place of the existing grass ones. The initial expenditure of such an undertaking no doubt would .be heavy, but once put down inhere would be :ro

need for ta caretaker tand another aspect is .that tennis could be played all the year round, thereby improving' the standard of play in our club.

I feel it is ray dutyto *express my appreciiat'fOn to the ladies of the cluib and also the ladies who assist the Bowling Club in the matter of providing afternoon teas, which have always been so much enjoyed by players, visitors and onlookers alike. Although I do not profess to be a tennis player, I must admit* that I have spent many pleasant hours on the lawns, and those of us who have tasted of its deilghts cannot wonder at its universal "popularity. Ancient history shows us that. England .boiTpwed the game of tennisfrom her French neighbours in the* reign of ICharles 11, arid at that time 110 sport could vie with it in popularity. Since that time all our kings and princes have ibeen amongst the votaries of tennis., which is well deserving of its title, "The Game of Kings and the King of tlames."

In conclusion I desire to express my appreciation, of the courtesy extended to me, and the great assistance rendered by the committee during my term as president of this club, and I trust that a like courtesy and as. sistanc-e will be extended to my successor, and that the most pleasant relations will exist\ .between him- and yourselves during the earning season.

I have much pleasure in asking you to join with me in wishing continued success to the "King of Games and the 'Game of King?," lawn tennis, and to the iHikurangi Lawn Tennis Club.

The .meeting accorded the president a hearty vote of thanks for his report', which was adopted along with the balance sheet, and for his services during the past season.

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES. "The election of officers resulted as follows Patron, Dr. Gault; president, Mr T. Burley; vice-presidents, HVTesdames Swann and and Messrs G. J. Paine and H, Phillips; joint secretaries, Mrs 'G. 'Swann and Mr P. .McDonald. •General Committee. — 'Mesdames Trotter and Kerr, Miss Bradney, Messrs >F. Little, ft. Scott, and H. Coles. Match Committee —'Messrs T. Burley, G. J- Paine, and H. Parker. 'Sole Selector —;Mr H. Parker. Ground Superintendent—Mr G. J. PaineADDENDA. It was decided to adopt the following scale of fees for the coming season 25s ,ladies 10s 6d, juniors 7s '6d. It was .agreed to put down 'at once one asphalt court, and if possible and practcable, a second one will be put down later on in the season. I * .