LAWN TENNIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22051, 6 September 1933, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS

OTAGO ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES. The annual general meeting of the Otago Lawn Tennis Association was held in Mr E. S. Wilson's boardroom last night. There were about 40 delegates present, and the chair waa occupied by for A. S. Moody (president). ANNUAL REPORT. The committee, in the forty-eighth annual report, congratulated members on a most successful year. The larger part of the report was taken up with a resume of the matches and tournaments of the year. With reference to junior lawn tennis the committee reported: ' It is unfortunately true that the game is not showing the progress it should in the primary schools. In other centres in New Zealand primary school competitions are held, and in this way northern towns are laying the foundation of improving the standard of play in yearg jo come. Until lawn tennis is able to gam as high a place in schools as other summer sports, so long will Otago lag behind the other centres. With the facilities available for play at Logan Park, ana with so many children keen to take up the game, it is felt that the tyme has now come for a concentrated effort to be made to have the game recognised by the Primary School Sports Association, and a Saturday morning or week-day • afternoon competition started. This matter will have to receive the serious consideration of the incoming committee.' The committee expressed its confidence that the game of lawn tennis had a bright future, as more players were taking part in the game each year, and the standard of play was showing a marked improvement. Moving the adoption of the report, the chairman said he was glad to see somany delegates present. It augured well for the coming season and showed the interest taken in the different clubs. They had had a fairly good season for the year 1932-33. Things had been pretty hard with most of the clubs as regards the levies. The association, of course, had to pay its way by means of a levy, which was obtained by the different clubs. It was on this levy that the association depended for extinguishing the debt on the Logan Park courts. As clubs found it more difficult to maintain membership, so the association found it more difficult to collect the fees. His own view was that it would be a pity if the different clubs were hard on those members who were not financial. The burden ot to-day was largely falling on the younger people, and clubs ought to be generous and allow some of these members a little latitude. It would be better that they should go to their respective courts than wander about the streets. Clubs should, therefore, go carefully into the_ question of unfinancial members, and give them the chance to carry on until times were better. That was his own feeling; the clubs should decide the matter for themselves. The year's accounts showed that the association had come out with a profit of about £ll. It was not a large sum, but it showed the association had not gone back. Some delegates might not appreciate the amount of work done by the different committees. A tremendous amount of work was done and perhaps little gratitude was shown to those who had to do the bulk of the work. Personally, he had not had time to do much. The greater part of the work during his tenure of office had been carried on by others; otherwise, he could not have taken the position. Mr A. M'Millan, seconding the motion, <said the association was in a very solid 'position. During the past season there were 20 affiliated clubs, with a membership of 1147. For the previous season there were 25 clubs, with 1108 members. Speaking of the various matches and tournaments, Mr M Millan said that the Christmas fixture was not a numericnl or financial success, the association coming out with a bare profit. The committee recommended that this fixture should be deleted. The Easter tournament was a definite success. The outstanding events of the year were the visits of E. D. Andrews and C. E. Malfroy. The speaker also referred to the beneficial effect of the visits of prominent and urged that representations should be made to the New Zealand Association to endeavour to arrange for a tour bv another Australian team. _ The local association could congratulate itself on the excellence of the Logan Parle courts, which were showing very little signs of wear. The present position of the association was also a for congratulation. The finances were in a sound state. The balance sheet was read by the secretary (Mr E. S. Wilson). After a short discussion the report and balance sheet was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Dr Moody and Mr E. D. Duthie were nominated for the office of president, and n ballot resulted in Mr Duthie being reelected. Mr Duthia took the chair and thanked delegates for the honour conferred on him. . There were" five nominations for four vice-presidents, and Messrs A. E. M'Adam, A. T. Jensen, R. Phillipps, and A. M'Millan were elected. Twenty honorary vice-presidents were elected. Other officers were elected as under: — Hon. solicitor, Mr J. S. Sinclair; secretary and treasurer. Mr E. S. Wilson; hon. auditors, Messrs \V. Brown and Co.; delegates to New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association —Messrs H. Graves, C. G. White. K. Webling, H. S. White, and H. Wilkinson. OPENING DAY. The opening day of the association was fixed for. Saturday, September 9. ELECTION OP COMMITTEE. Sixteen nominations were received for the committee (nine) and the following were elected: —Messrs R. Jack (Port Chalmers), T. Grimsdale (St. Andrew's), S N. Brown (Balmacewen), C. J. RawHnson (St. Kilda), G. A. Pearce (Anderson's Bav), R. A. Guy (Moana). G. I. Black (Roslyn). S. Falconer (Moana), and L. S. Swallow (Taicri). YANKEE TOURNAMENTS. The opinion was expressed by a delegate that Yankee tournaments were not popular with players, and a discussion followed. It was resolved (1) That the President's Cup be deleted from the tournaments during the year, and (2). that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee that the M'Millan Cup be arranged for a day that does not interfere with competition matches. GENERAL. Mr J. A. Pearce moved —"That it be a recommendation to the committee that an effort be made to enter a team from the Otago, Southland, North Otago, and South Canterbury group for the Wilding Trophy Competition."—Agreed to. The Rev. J. D. Smith recommended that the association should take up the matter of coaching' seriously, and suggested that a coaching committee be appointed, to organise coaching in the clubs

to bring on the younger players.—The suggestions were referred to the committee, -r* A vote of thanks was accorded to Dr Moodv for his services to the game and for the manner in which, he had filled the position of president.