FIRST TENNIS CLUB

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21327, 31 October 1932, Page 11

FIRST TENNIS CLUB

JUBILEE AT PARNELL

EARLY DAYS OF THE GAME

BAND PLAYED ON OPENING

Showery weather and the heavy condition of the lawns prevented play at the Parnell Tennis Club'g courts on Saturday afternoon, when the diamond jubilee of the foundation of the club was celebrated. There was a very large attendance of old and present members, including some office-bearers of earlier years. The celebrations were confined to speech making, and the guests were later entertained at tea by the lady members. The president, Mr. T. Victor Macky, extended a welcome to the past members and guests, and apologised for the absence of tho patron, Archbishop Averill. He said it was a unique day in the history of the club and of Auckland tennis, for the Parnell Club was the first formed in Auckland. They had every right to claim that it was the mother club of Auckland. They were not only commemorating the foundation of the club 60 years ago, but were also honouring tho men and women who had founded it and carried it on. These earlier officers and members had possessed a wonderful vision of the future of the game, and it was through the efforts of such people that tennis had reached its present state. Some Early Presidents

Mr. Macky said he had read through the minutes of the club for the past 50 years, and had been deeply interested to find how many families that were prominent in the city to-day had been associated with the club. He had also found that there had been only 14 presidents since the foundation of the club. In mentioning some of these, he referred to the two-years term of Archdeacon Macmurray, who was one of the guests at the celebration. Professor H. W. Segar, president for ten years in two periods, and Colonel J. P. Stevenson, who held the office for 11 years, both of whom were also present, were also mentioned. Mr. Macky touched on items mentioned in the minutes, such as the fact that the club at one time had been troubled with rabbits of the furry variety. It was also revealed that the opening ceremony was done in proper style. It was usual to have a band, and it was one of the duties of the secretary to see that liquor was provided. An Interesting Cup Reference was also made by the president to the splendid work done for the club by Miss Mowbray. Tho records showed that, besides being one of tho leading players of her day, she had held the office of treasurer for 13 years. The minutes of the annual meeting of 1883, which was the earliest of which there was a record, contained a vote of thanks to Miss Mowbray for the indefatigable manner in which she had performed her duties. Miss Mowbray had been the provincial champion, and she was presenting the silver cup won in the season of 1886-87 back to tho club. In conclusion, Mr. Macky suggested that the old members might think it worth while to assist the club to continue its interesting career by endowing it in some way. Some of the history of the earlier days of the club was related by Miss Mowbray. The thanks of th<3 club were extended to Miss Mowbray for the gift of the interesting old cup. The president of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, Mr. R. B. Hardy, extended the congratulations of the association to the club. Progress of the Game "Since coming to Auckland I have been impressed with the tremendous enthusiasm of the Aucklanders in regard to tennis," said Mr. G. Gore, president- of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, who is visiting Auckland in connection with the visit of the United States players. "It is no wonder the game progresses here, and I can only wish that the same enthusiasm could be seen elsewhere in New Zealand." Mr. Gore remarked that it was only the persistence of the Auckland officials that had finally induced the association to arrange for the American team to play in Auckland. A silver cup and two miniatures presented by Mr. W. P. Goodhue, one of the early presidents of tho club, and Auckland singles champion of 1889. were on view during the afternoon.