LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 75

LAWN TENNIS.

" That's what I call dragging- the sport into the mire," said a •delegate at the meeting of the Tennis Association at Wellington this week, when he was assured, in answer to a question, that all the balls used at the Nelson tourney had been presented to the Management Committee by a firm of ball manufacturers, and had then been charged up to the Nelson Association. A NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION. WELLINGTON, May 31. A lively meeting of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association* to-night ended in the Canterbury delegates giving notice of a no-confidence motion in respect to th-3 committee —"That, owing to the fact that the Management Committee has proved by its past actions that it arrogates to itself powers not given to it by the rules, and also observes secrecy with regard to its actions, refusing as it has done to reveal correspondence and its minutes of the business done in connection with such an important matter as the playing off of the challenge round of the Davis Cup content to properly-constituted delegates of an association, the various associations comprising this council have lost confidence in the Management Committee as such; that the whole of the correspondence passing between the Canterbury Association and the Now Zealand Association be placed before the Australasian Association ; ■*?*»*: the Management Committee having recommended to the Davis Cup Committee-the place in New Zealand in which to play the challenge round of the Davis Cup contest, after having received an intimation from the Canterbury Association that in its opinion this was a matter that should come before the New Zealand Association alone for decision, a special meeting of this association be called at the earliest possible opportunity to fully consider the whole question, and that the question of the locality in ■ which the New Zealand Championship meeting in 1910 shall be held be considered by the council." - The Secretary stated that no doubt, a special meeting would be called by the association on a month's notice being given. A motion disapproving of the selection of a ball for championship matches by the Management Committee was negatived.

LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, June 1

The Christchurch lawn tennis delegates had a bootless journey to Wellington this week, and have returned without accomplishing anything. Fault has been, found with the Management Committee, but as a matter of fact it is doubtful if any sport in New Zealand has a better management committee or a more excellent hon. secretary. The Post, referring to the trouble, isaye: "The committee has been accused of acting in. a manner contrary to the rules, but the committee denies the allegation. The members state that they are prepared to answer any case constitutionally brought against them, but they rightly contend that those who profess to be' dissatisfied should act strictly in accordance with the rules. The prospects of success for the motion of no-confidence are not bright. There was practically a test case last night. The committee was attacked for taking upon itself the responsibility of adopting a, certain type of ball, but the delegates of eight associations supported the committee, and onlv three associations were hostile (Auckland, Canterbury, and West Coast). It is regrettable that this bickering has occurred at a time when it is necessary that all the friends of tennis should be co-operating for the success of the great Christmas fixtures. It is Canterburv's duty now to act ur> to th<» province's high "sporting conditions and jwarv* points of , difference for settlement after the champions have fouohfc

for the Davis Cup. For better or worse. Wellington has been selected for the battle, and further controversy at this 6tage can do nothing but harm." As a matte-r of fact the Auckland vote even was not entirely with the Christehurch delegates, for two of the Auckland representatives were so convinced by the discussion that ensued that they decided to take the resposibility of voting against the instructions they bad already received." THE LAWN TENNIS TROUBLE. CFroji Oub Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, June 6. As some erroneous statements seern to have been circulated respecting the actions and attitude of the committee of the New Zealand Lawn Ten.nis Association, it is well that the true position should be stated. At the meeting the other evening the Wellington delegates and 1 the delegates of other associations refrained from discussing the Davis Cup question at all, because they respected the chairman's ruling, which was quite in accordance with the rules of the association. They were quite prepared to discuss it and to vote on the question, but were prevented from doing so. The Canterbury delegates, on the other hand, endeavoured to get round the chairman s ruling. Had they adopted constitutional methods of bringing the matter forward, the committee would have had not the slightest objection to a full and free discussion. The misstatements referred to will no doubt be dealt with in due course. As a matter of fact, the committee would have been quite agreeable to have recommended Christehurch as the locale of the Davis Cup contest could it conscientiously have done so, but in the interests of jthe Davis Cup Committee it had to consider the financial aspect of the matter, and also the benefit that would accrue to the largest number of lawn tennis players through the contest being held in the most central place, and within easy reach of by far the largest number of players in the Dominion. Referring to Tuesday's meeting, the lawn tennis contributor of the Post says:— "Several «* the utterances on Tuesday night were not in the true interest of the sport, but simply misstatements made against the Management Committee for the purpose of, and with the sole idea cu, trying to bring the Davis Cup matter b-'fore the meeting. The chairman rightly ruled that, as the matter was not on the order paper, it could not be discussed. It would then have been wise had the Canterbury delegates dropped the matter pleasantly and taken steps to bring their case before the council in a constitutional manner. Mr E. J. Ross, of CMrtertary, stated his case quietly, and the delegates gave him a good hearing. Mr Uoss, although spearing to 'be thoroughly mi earnest, like his chief coach and adviser, Mr F M B. Fisher, threw discretion to the wind in tha attempt to bluff the case through." WILDING AGAIN SCORES. BRUSSELS, June 2. (Received June 2, at 11.10 p.m.) Wilding won the International Tennis Singles at Brussels, beating Do Cugis, 6—l, 6—2, 6—o. THE DAVIS CUP. SYDNEY, June 4. In the event of disagreement between two challenging countries as to the venue of the preliminary contest for the Davis Cusp it devolves on Australa&ia to fix the field. It is considered that if teams from America and Great Britain could be brought to Sydney or Melbourne, it would prove a thoroughly lucrative venture. Mr Norman Brookes, however, thinks it improbable that the British Association would send a team to Australia. They are very conservatvie in their methods, and would prefer not to be represented at all unless by the best team possible. Therefore the American pair will go direct to New Zealand. Mr Brookes says he is prepared to visit the Dominion some weeks alksad of the contest, so as to accustom himself to its courts.