BLUFF TENNIS CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 22131, 27 September 1933, Page 12

BLUFF TENNIS CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING. (From Our Correspondent.) The annual meeting of the Bluff Tennis Club was held in the Town Hall on Monday evening, the retiring president, Mr J. A. Hamilton, occupying the chair. There was a very satisfactory attendance, a fact commented on by the chairman in welcoming those present. The annual report read as follows: Although the club started the season without the services of a considerable number of its A grade players of previous years this season can be said to have been quite successful insofar as membersship and finances are concerned. A number of juniors have become members and it should not be long before they are capable of giving a good account of themselves in matches. The club at the opening of the season began with a credit balance of £2l 10/4 and finished with a credit balance of £3O 7/8. Thanks are due to the Bluff Harbour Board for its donation of £5 towards our funds. During the winter months a number of dances were held with the object of keeping the members together. As these dances were not of a public nature the proceeds were relatively small. Thanks are due to committee and other members who helped in connection with the working bees held at the courts during the season. A large quantity of weeds was excavated from the north side of the playing area and fences were kept in good repair. One B grade team was entered in the competition and although not successful in match play gave every indication that it was capable of extending the best teams in the competition. The report was adopted.

It was decided that two teams be entered in the competitions, namely, B and C teams.

Subscriptions were fixed at 15/- for men and 10/- for ladies and juniors. The entrance fee for new members was reduced to 2/6 from last year’s figure, 5/-. It was decided that new members must pay their subscriptions within one week of joining up, a notice to this effect to be posted in the pavilion. The matter of acquiring a volley board was discussed and it was agreed that one be installed.

The chairman reported that an amicable arrangement had been reached with the Basketball Club by which each club would have the use of the courts for six months. This arrangement had been ratified at a meeting attended by the Mayor (Mr T. F. Doyle), Mr G. V. Edge (president of the Basketball Club) and the speaker. It was agreed to have the vacant section of the pavilion glassed in to provide additional shelter for members and to have a section asphalted.

It was stated that considerable damage had been done to the club’s nets, etc., by children, thus putting the club to much additional expense. After a lengthy discussion as to the best method of dealing with this serious trouble it was unanimously decided to enlist the aid of those in charge of the two local schools in the matter. Various speakers stressed the fact that the club had been put to a lot of expense and it was necessary that steps be taken to stop the wilful damaging of its property.

A large number of prospective new members was nominated. It was left to the club captain to arrange working bees prior to the opening day, which was fixed for Saturday, October 14. The election of officers resulted as follows: Patron, Mr P. A. de la Perrelle; president, Mr J. A. Hamilton; vicepresidents, Messrs E. A. Nichol, M. Hutton, W. B. Dixon; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. Wares; assistant secretary, Miss O. Dixon; committee, Misses P. Calder, E. Alexander, Messrs L. Morrison, J. Strong; auditor, Mr E. A. Nichol; team selectors, Miss O. Dixon, Messrs J. Wares and L. Morrison; delegate to association, Mr J. H. Young; club captain, Mr L. Morrison; social committee, Mrs J. Bradshaw; Misses D. Young, S. Campbell, A. Barnett, Messrs P. Dixon, H. Burke, H. Kane and G. King.