LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7048, 9 February 1910, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS

A SOUTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP.

NEGATIVED FOB THE PRESENT.

The proposal to establish a South Island lawn tennis championship formed the only subject on the order paper at the quarterly general meeting of the .Now Zealand Lawn Tennis Association last night, Mr H. M. Gore presiding over an attendance of fifteen delegates. ' The management committee submitted the following recommendation:— “That in view of the tfiaet thlat the Otargo Lawn Tennis Association has applied for permission to hold the Men’s South Island Championship Singles, so long as. the conduct of the same meets with the approval of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, the committee recommends that the request be granted.’’ Professor Hunter pointed out that the motion meant the establishment of a South Island singles championship, which, in his opinion, would bo a weakening of the position, especially as the motion provided for permanently handing: over the conduct of the competition to Otago. Mr J. C. Peacock agreed that the motion affirmed an entirely new policy and would involve granting a North Island championship to the first club which applied. He would not object to .granting the championship to Otago if it was played at Easter,, and placed with the Otago Association for only one year. He accordingly . moved os an amendment, that the championship be granted to the Otago Association, provided it be played at Easter. It was explained by the secretary (Mr G. N. Goldie) that the Otago Association had already declined an offer similar to that contained in the amendment, as a gentleman had presented a cup for competition, and he Would scarcely donate it for a year. Mr F. M. B. Fisher, M.P., stated that Otago rarely sent a championship player forward, and it seemed as if the mountain must come to Mahomet. He would like to see the championship alternating between Christchurch and Dunedin. The Canterbury players were feeling keen ly on the subject. • Mr Goldie did net believe the holding of North or South Island championships advisable. ■ No matter in what ■ way the resolution was passed there would bo trouble _ in allocating the locale of the competition. Mr G. A Hnrloy, a member of the management committee, remarked that the proceedings of the members of that committee were somewhat farcical, inasmuch as Mr Peacock moved the original- resolution in committee, and’ now, with other members of the committee, who supported it. was trying to knock it out. Mr Peacock explained that he was expressing his views as a delegate, in the light of further information. The amendment was rejected, 'Mr M. E. Denniston moved That, while thanking the Otago Association for its offer, it is not at present de sirable to establish a South Island championship. ■ Mr Fisher declared that match play really made the first-class player, and the 'Otago Association was entitled to the highest commendation for its endeavour to raise the standard of. the game. , ‘ Mr Blair stated that the Victorian championship was at a very high standard, (and all the best (players attended the local championships. On a division the amendment was carried by 14 votes to 12.