CHRISTMAS TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19511, 15 December 1926, Page 14

CHRISTMAS TENNIS.

AN OFFICIAL'S OBJECTION. £ .. .. ■ NEW SOUTH WALES MATCH. RESIGNATION TENDERED. On the ground that he objected to an exhibition tennis match between New South Wales and Auckland teams being played on Christmas Day, Mr. W. H. Burton last evening tendered his resignation as lion, auditor to the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association. When the question of the visit of the New South Wales team was brought before the meeting, Mr. E. W. Griffiths, president of the association, said the committct had decided to play the exhibition match on Christmas afternoon, and had applied to the New Zealand council for the requisite permission. In reply | to a cablegram from the council the New South Wales Association had agreed with the decision, and made the suggestion that a Maori team should, be played at Rotorua. The visitors would arrive at Auckland by the Maunganui on December 21. There were no Maori players likely to extend them, and if they wanted to visit Rotorua they would have to pay their own expenses, or go as the guests of the New South Wales Association. The action of the committee was endorsed. Mr. Burton's letter was then read. It was as follows : " I learn with great regret that the association proposes to hold an exhibition match o:.j Christmas Day. I consider this very ill-advised, and likely .to offend a great many people. In my opinion conduct that is feasible for the ordinary individual is out of place in the 'affairs of a responsible body like ours. I think the ordinary decencies appertaining to a Christian community should be observed. "I am informed that the resolution has so far only "been mooted, but not duly passed. I do not wish you to think fos one. moment that my decision on this matter is intended as a threat, nor do 1 imagine that it will have any influence on the voting, but I wish to place it on record that I so strongly disapprove of the matter that if the intention to play on Christmas Day is carried out I will ipso facto cease all interest in the association and resign my position as auditor. As I really think the exhibition match will actually take place, you can take this letter as my formal resignation of office." While expressing regret at Mr. Burton's decision, Mr. Griffiths said the way a man regarded the question, when all was said and done, was a matter for his own conscience. Mr. G. L. Taylor moved that the resignation should be accepted with regret. Other members suggested that Mr. Burton should be asked to reconsider his decision. Mr. D. Macfarlane said Mr. Burton, was quite firm about the matter. In seconding the motion Mr. Griffiths said Mr. Burton had been honorary auditor to the association for about 20 years, and had Tendered it great service. It was only fitting, therefore, that his work should be recognised in some fitting manner/ ■ As the general feeling of the delegates was that Mr, Burton should be asked to reconsider his decision, acceptance of his resignation was deferred, Mr. Taylor withdrawing his motion with the consent of his seconder:"' *