LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2949, 21 September 1910, Page 64

LAWN TENNIS.

OTAGO ASSOCIATION. At the annual meeting of the Otago Laivn Tennis Association there wore present about .25 delegates from affiliated clubs. Mr R. S. Black (president) occupied the chair. The Chairman said that before moving the adoption of the report (already published) and balance sheet ho would like to traverse the work done during the past year. In reference to the removal of Mr Irvine, he said it was only after close relations with him that one got a knowledge of the vast energy, time, and work devoted by him to interests of the Otago Lawn Tennis Association. He felt it was practically impossible to replace him. A lot of work thrust upon him might have been caused through the want of thought on the part of others, but the time had arrived when whoever took the secretarial duties must receive material assistance from the executive, especially at Easter time. Such detail work as selling programmes, tickets, balls, arranging umpires, handing out scoring sheets, keeping results, attending to blackboard notices, not to mention attending? to courts, nets, and gatekeepers, if divided among special sub-committees, would be a big relief to the secretary. During the rear the number of lawn tennis players had increased very largelv—indeed, so much so that even with the loss of southern friends through the formation of the Southland Association—to which they wished every success, —their numbers when all the clubs which intend to affiliate had joined would bo nearly as large as last year. The association’s action in securing ground at Anderson’s Bay had been cordially approved by all the clubs, and the way the levy had been met afforded him great pleasure and augured well for the increased financial and social prosperity of the association. The question of the powers of the different committees would need to be carefully considered in view of the increased responsibilities devolving upon the Management Committee. The success or failure of the grounds at Anderson’s Bay depended upon the capabilities and energy of the Management Committee. The association was now at a critical period, being like a new business venture, and it was obligatory to see that the management was left in capable hands, so that not only would lawn tenntis flourish, but the debeture-,holders would feel that their money was being spent to the best advantage. The rules governing teams in grade matches needed to be made more definite, so that the question of whether a club should piav better plavers in the lower grade than those in the higher grade would be made clear. They were quite within their rights in the past. Jbut the question to be answered was “ Should the winning of the banner be the most im portant point or the triving the best players the best practice?” His idea on the matter was that grade matches should be looked upon as the means to improve the standard of play, not mereb- to win a prize. During the year the rules of the association were revised to meet the requirements of an incorporated society. These rules had been passed by the delegates and the registrar, and this was really the first annua.! meeting of the Otago Lawn Tennis Association as a registered body. ft behoved secretaries off clubs to assist by sauding in the names of delegates appointed, also by sending in as early ae possible the result of the canvass towards the purchase of Anderson’s Bay property. He felt thev could confidently appeal to the public of Dunedin to take up debenture when they iiad such a splendid investment made so secure by the levy on members. The association was disappointed in not securing the honour of holding the New Zealand championship, and now it looked as if the Davis Cup contest might not eventuate. He wished to personally thank the members of r.is committee for their great assistance at all times; the ladies for looking after the refreshments; the hon. auditor, Mr Sutcliffe; the donors of prizes for their practical sympathy, and, above all. the press for the amount of space given towards i furthering the best interests of lawn tennis. 1

The balanoe sheet, read by the secretary, showed the total income to have been £268 14a 9d, including a balanoe of £lO3 10s 3d brought forward from last year. The credit balance remaining was £37 17s 8d in the National Bank and £lOl 15s in the Post Office Savings Bank (£IOO, however, has been paid as deposit for the Anderson 8 Bay land). Mr A. E. Harraway seconded the motion for adoption of the report and balance 6heet, and it was carried. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows—President, Mr R. S. Black (reelected with hearty unanimity); vioe-presi-dents—Messrs A. E. Harraway, R. Bauchop, J. Dajjgar, and G. W. Gibson (all re-elected); committee —Messrs J. S. Sm« clair, T. Young, T. Begg, S. N. Brown, R. S. Brown, J. S. Nicholson, and S. G. Smith; auditor, Mr W. T. Monkman; delegate to New Zealand Association, Mr T. Gray; vice-president of New Zealand Association, Mr Harraway; Match Committee —Messrs R. S. Brown, J. S. Sinclair, and J. S. Nicholson; secretary, Mr A. L. BerryIt was decided that the opening day should be October 1, on a court to be arranged, the function to take the form (as usual) of a Yankee tournament. It was resolved that a minute should be plaoed on record and a letter sent to Mr T. Sutcliffe embodying the association's appreciation of his services as auditor for 12 years.

Mr W. Hamilton Irvino wrote tendering his resignation as hon. secretary owing to his removal from the district. He expressed in a nice letter his regret at severing his connection with the association, and said he trusted that it would continue to flourish and prosper in the future. Mr Black, in speaking to this letter, said Mr Irvine had been secretary for a very long time—over 15 years to his own knowledge,—and he felt sure that on an occasion such as this delegates would be very glad to do more than merely express appreciation in a minute. A number of other delegates also spoke in very warm terms of Mr Irvine's work and devotion to the interests of the association.—lt was resolved that a minute should be prepared embodying the association's appreciation of his services, and arrangements were made for an adequate recognition being made by the players of the services rendered. .The following motion by Mr Sinclair was passed:—"That the action of the Management Committee of the Otago Lawn Tennis Association in purchasing land and in creating and issuing debentures to the extent of £IOOO, bearing interest at 5 per cent, per annum, for the purpose of financing such purchase, laying down lawn tennis courts, and erecting buildings and other necessary conveniences on such land, be confirmed; such debentures to be in such form, and to be secured in such manner and to be issued to such persons and on such terms as the Management Committee of that association has decided upon." On the motion of the same mover the following motion was adopted : —" That tho actions of the delegates of the Otago Lawn Tennis Association's meeting held on July 12 in empowering the committee to make an annual levy on all cjty and suburban clubs affiliated to the Otago Lawn Tennis Association, and the subsequent action of the committee arising therefrom, be confirmed." Mr Bundle raised the question of only one round of club matches being played. The Otago Club had gone fully into the matter, and had decided by a large majority that it would engage in the competition if only one round were played 1 . If more than the one round were played players not engaging in the club matches were handicapped. He moved accordingly that only one round be playeO. Mr Sinclair seconded the motion.

The suggestion was made by several delegates that there should bo a better grading of players. —Mr Young, of Roslyn, said his club would apply to be made an A Grade team, and he suggested that it would be better if Otago and Kaituna Clubs played two A Grade teams. —Mr Begg endorsed this suggestion. An amendment was proposed to the motion by Mr R. S. Brown and seconded by Mr S. N. Brown, that when there were six teams or over in a round one round should be played; when less than six, two rounds.—The amendment was carried.

# Following this up, Mr Gibson said he would like the question of grading to be taken up properly by the committee. Last year there had been dissatisfaction.

The Chairman said the whole question was: Should the association compel clubs to play their men according to their position on the club's ladder?

Mr Bundle mo-Jcd—" That it be a recommendation to the committee to receive the names of players and grade them."— This was withdrawn after discussion, and it was decided that the rules drawn up for the conduct of grade matches should be revised. THE DAVIS CUP. SYDNEY, September 15. The Tennis Association considered the English Association's decision not to send a team to compete in the Davis Cup unless a reasonable guarantee were forthcoming. It was decided that no guarantee be given. A cablegram has been sent to the English Association to this effect, also informing it that the previous offer to arrange State matches in addition to the Davis Cup, and to allow the English Ajssociation half the proceeds therefrom, was still open.