OTAGO LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3314, 19 September 1917, Page 44

OTAGO LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Otago Lawn Tennis Association was hold on the 14th. Mr B. B. Couston (president) occupied the chair. The President referred to the loss through the war of a number of prominent members of clubs', and the members present stood for a moment out of respect to the memory of those who had given their lives for the Empire. Referring to the report and balance sheet, ho said that no fewer than 400 active members of Otago tennis clubs were serving their country. In attending official openings at the beginning of the season he had found that some of the younger clubs had no gentlemen players left, every member having voluntarily enlisted. He suggested that two members of next year’s committee be appointed to prepare for the association a, roll of members who had joined the colours, with their rank and club membership. Where so splendid a response had been made it would be invidious to make special mention of names of the men, but he would incur the ill-will of none in naming Sister E. M’Mullin, of Kaitangata, Sister Keddio, of Oamaru, and Sisters F. I. Gray and F. Cook, of Port Chalmers, amongst those who represent Otago tennis players at the front; and because the tennis world disassociates itself from all sectarian strife, he would name Chaplain Alex. Allen, of Waikouaiti, and Rev. J. D. Wilson, of Oamaru. Also, without making comparisons, ho would state that the Anderson Bay Club sent 32 men, Oamaru Club 24, Cosy Doll 23, and Arthur Street and Roslyn 21 each—in each case a number that represents an ordinary season’s membership. The names of at least 50 of their members were inscribed on that roll of honour of noble men who had given their lives for their King and country. The work of the association next year would largely be one of finance. There was a

debt on the Anderson Bay court of £1221 —£7oo of this was on mortgage at 5i par cent., and £521 on debentures at 5 per cent. That meant a payment of £65 for interest. This was usually met by a levy of 2s per member on players, but for the last two years the levies had. owing to the depletion of members, realised only £46 per year, so that the balanoe of the interest and redemption account was being gradually absorbed, and nono of tho principal was being paid off. Tho following officers were eleoted: President, Mr B. B. Couston (re-eleoted); vice-presidents, Messrs R. S. Black and E. A. Harraway J committee —Messrs T. Begg, R. A. Wilkie, A. Nicolson, A. M'Mullan, R. S. Brown, J. Miller, J. L. Gregory, with power to add to their number j secrotai'v and treasurer. Mr E. S. Wilson; auditor, Mr G. M. M'Lean; referee, Mr B. B. Cbu3ton; vice-president to the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, Mr B. B. Cbus-

ton; delegate to tho Now Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, Mr A. W. Young. It was resolved that thn season bo opened on Saturday next, and that thovo should be no official opening. It was dee'dod that the levy on clubs i>o tho same as last year—2s per member. A schools' tournament, on lines similar to that held last year, was decided upon, Mr Bcgg being' empowered to supervise this fixture. Prizes for this tournament were donated by the president and Mr R. S. Black, while Messrs S. N. Brown and Harm way each offered to provide a prizo if the entries were satisfactory.

Mr (Harraway moved (and !Mj:) Black seconded and it was carried that the Now Zealand Lawn Tennis Association bo requested to rebate all levies on the different associations during the period of tho war.