SOUTHEND CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 19332, 26 August 1924, Page 6

SOUTHEND CLUB

TENNIS AND CROQUET ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS The annual meting of the Southland Tennis and Croquet Club was held last evening. ANUAL REPORT. The retiring Committee reported as follows : “Your Committee has the honour to submit for your consideration the fifth annual report and balance-sheet / for the season 1923-24. The season has been a very successiul one so far as the Croquet Club was concerned, but as for the tennis there was not the same keenness and enthusiasm shown as in previous seasons. Of course, the split half holiday was mainly responsible for this, and those who are unfortunate enough to have the Wednesday half day are seriously handicapped. All round, the Saturday players did not do so badly, but what with new players coming into the Club and increasing our membership the prospects for the coming season are much brighter. The weather conditions were much better than the previous season, and this alone was responsible for much more play for those who took advantage of the barely full courts. “Your Committee would just like to in passing that owing to a large number of players dropping out last season, there is ample room for new members, and application forms may be obtained from the secretary.

“Financially, the Club has shown very little improvement, our overdraft at the bank being practically the same as 12 months ago. As our guarantee at the bank is purely a personal one, it remains for the Club to materially reduce it in the coming season.

“During the year several marked improvements have been carried out. The croquet greens have all been top-dressed, and by appearances the present season should see the greens in tip-top order. New nets were procured for the Tennis Club, and these should at least carry us over another season.

“As regards inter-club competition, we entered a B grade on Wednesday, and an A and B grade on the Saturday. None of the teams were in any way successful, but teveral good games were played, and a great deal of enjoyment obtained. The experience obtained was at any rate beneficial to those members who were successful enough to get a place in the teams. The Croquet Club also played several matches with various other clubs, and were rather successful. At the latter end of the season, the various matches for the Club’s cups, etc., were competed for, and some of the bast games of the season were played. It was rather unfortunate that these games were left till so late in the season, but your committee hopes that the incoming Committee will rectify this, and play the games at least one month earlier.

“After some enjoyable and interesting play, the following players were victorious: Ladies’ singles: Miss Preston; Ladies’ doubles: Misses Preston and Bain; Gents’ singles: Mr Dykes; Gents’ doubles: Messrs. Dykes and Rae; and to these members w offer our heartiest congratulations. “The Club during the season was unfor tunate in losing one of its best lady play ers, namely, Miss Mclntosh. Miss Mclntosh was always a great help to the Club, and her absence was keenly felt. Miss Bain also severed her connection with the Club at the close of the season, and your committee can only state that not only has one of our best players left us, but also one of the hardest and best workers that was ever our good fortune to have. The best of wishes, however, to both these ladies in their prospective futures. During the season a picture benefit was arranged to raise some money to help pay for the top-dressing of the croquet greens, and from this source a fair sum of money was obtained. The notice for selling tickets was short, but not nearly enough enthusiasm was shown, practically' 50 per cent of the tickets being returned to the secretary. “Once again your Committee would hke to mention their appreciation of the work done by their energetic President, Mr Manson. It is largely due to his efforts that the progress of the Club has been so marked, both in the tennis and croquet sections. His efforts are untiring, and no matter what work was to be done, our worthy President was always first to do his share. The amount of time and energy given by Mr Manson is a big asset to any Club. “In conclusion, your Committee would like to state that, everything considered, the Club is well on its feet. The grounds are in excellent condition, and the equipment is all that could be desired. It now rests with the incoming Committee to be as careful as possible, keep a watchful eye on the finance, and your Committee has no hesitation in saying that with reasonable care our overdraft should be substantially reduced during the next season.” ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS. The following officers were elected:— President: Mr W. Manson. Vice-Presidents: Messrs A. Derbie, T. D. Lennie, A. F. Clark, Jas. Thomson, Jas. Strang, J. T. Lilburn, B. C. Galloway, F. Booth, F. Wootton, and A. Bain. Secretary: Mr D. W. Reed. Treasurer: Mr A. H. Ferguson. Committee: Mesdames Brownlie, Stevenson, Curie, McCallum, Booth, Miss Fyffe, Messrs Petrie, Richards, Mclntyre, and Malcolm. Auditor: Mr Jas. Stobo.