LAWN TENNIS

Southland Times, Issue 23001, 22 September 1936, Page 11

LAWN TENNIS

WAIHOPAI CLUB ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS The annual meeting of the Waihopai Tennis Club was held in the pavilion last evening. Mr P. Rice presided over a fair attendance of members. The annual report stated that the club tournaments were reintroduced last year after an absence of one year, the winners of the various events being as follows: —Women’s championship singles, Mrs Hanan; women’s handicap doubles, Mesdames Hanan and Salisbury; men’s championship singles, Mr W. Strang; men’s handicap doubles, Messrs Hanan and Strang; combined handicap doubles, Mr and Mrs Clarkson. A women’s championship singles honours board was donated by Mr G. R. Hanan, to whom the thanks of the club were extended. Last year it was decided that A grade, intermediate grade and C. grade teams be entered in the inter-club competitions and although the club was not successful in any of these events the record of the teams showed that more matches were won than lost in each of the grades entered. The committee was hopeful that the club would have a better record this year. The club congratulated two members, Mrs Hanan and Mr W. Strang, who played as members of the Southland team. No Labour Day tournament was held last year in view of the Southland Lawn Tennis Association holding a carnival at Rugby Park on that day. In view of the fact that one of the members, Miss Provan, was elected as the tennis princess in the sports gala queen’ carnival held last year, it was disappointing to note the lack of support to the carnival by the members of the club. The challenge for the fems donated by two members two seasons ago were not as good as they could be. It was felt that the opportunity for friendly play among members was being lost by the small number of challenges, especially in the men’s section. The support of the general members of the club was sadly lacking on the occasion of the otherwise successful dance held in Elmwood Garden on February 25 last, when Cochet and party visited Invercargill. Owing, however, to the support of the members of the other clubs, a small profit of £1 9/6 was made. More Members Wanted. In moving the adoption of the annual report Mr Rice said it was pleasing to see the club tournaments started again. They had been well managed, although it had to be admitted that entries had not been large. Although the club had not won any of the Southland Lawn Tennis Association’s grade competitions that teams entered had afforded stout opposition and there had been no defaults. Speaking on the club’s finances, Mr Rice mentioned the present low membership, and in view of the need for top-dressing four of the courts, strongly urged those present to secure new members—who were, after all, the lifeblood of the club.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following office-bearers were elected:—Patron, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, M.P.; president, Mr P. Rice; vicepresidents, Messrs R. M. Strang and R. Whyte; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. Kean; club captain, Mr N. Mitchell; committee, Messrs R. Gimblett, S. Louden and J. Clarkson and Miss J. Farmer; deputy club-captain, Mr J. Clarkson; women’s club captain, Mrs Salisbury; delegates to Southland Lawn Tennis Association, Messrs J. Clarkson and R. Whyte; auditor, Mr E. Hughes; delegates to Waihopai Sports Association, Messrs R. Strang, R. Whyte and P. Rice; selection committee, Messrs J. Kean, P. Rice and N. Mitchell.

The subscriptions fqr the coming season were fixed as follows:—Country and honorary members, men £1 1/-, women 12/6; junior members (under 18), boys 17/6, girls 12/6; intermediate members (under 21), boys 25/-, girls 20/-; senior members, the same as last season.

Several new members were elected. It was left in the hands of the incoming committee to fix a date for the opening day.

The secretary (Mr J. Kean) brought forward a scheme to cater for the junior members of the club—those players, irrespective of age, who played in the C grade competition or lower. The proposal suggested that a tournament be run on the two-life system, every player who won ten or more games out of 18 to qualify for the knock-out tournament. A prize of a tennis racket could be given to the winner of the respective sections. The proposal was adopted.

POLO ARGENTINA DEFEATS U.S.A. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 10.0 p.m.) Westbury (Long Island), September 20. The Argentine polo team defeated the Americans to-day by 21 goals to 9 in the opening match of the international series. < i McDougall, J. Murphy, Burke, Knight, O’Neill. Riverton: Lockett; McKenzie, D. McKay, J. McKay; A. McKay, Saunders; Cleaver; Collis, Keeler, Bannatyne; Lockett, McKinnon; Parker, Hopwood, Porter. Mr G. Cleland was referee. G. F. HARTS LAST GAME. ALL BLACK THREE-QUARTER RETIRES. (United Press Association.) Christchurch, September 21. G. F. Hart, Canterbury’s speedy All Black wing three-quarter, played his last game of Rugby on Saturday afternoon, when he represented the province against Australia. He is now 27 years old, and says that he must concentrate on business.

Hart has represented Canterbury 39 times and New Zealand in six separate seasons.