TENNIS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 73, Issue 6282, 16 September 1946, Page 4

TENNIS

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS SEASON’S ARRANGEMENTS PLANNED Interest in the Te Awamutu Tennis Club was indicated by the attendance of over 40 members at the annual general meetfrig on Friday and a degree of enthusiasm placed beyond question the prospect of a most successful season. The activities of last season as reviewed at the meeting showed that the club is making every preparation by the improvement of the courts and playing facilities in anticipation of an increased membership. The retiring president, Mr W. O. Sinnott, presided at the meeting on Friday until the election of the new term officers, and at the outset the amendment of rules as proposed engaged attention. Proceeding to the more general affairs, the president reported and in the course of his remarks said that the year just past had been the most progressive year the club has had. During the period major repairs were carried out on the courts and a surplus of balls together with a complete set of nets were carried forward. Faced with a heavy cost for maintenance the committee decided to attempt) to raise the money through social activities with very marked success. The membership at 114 is most satisfactory and should at least remain at this figure with every prospect of an increase. He suggested to the incoming committee that a maintenance fund be opened at once to the amount of £5O per year to be in hand when the courts require further surfacing as they undoubtedly will do in the future. Also he suggested that provision be made for the next objective of the club, that is the laying of the No. 7 court. This will not be practicable this coming season, but funds to that end should be built up.

Trophies during the war years have been kept down to a minimum, but now with the return of peacetime condition could be increased to make a really worthwhile result to matches. Good trophies are always a source of pleasure to the winners and will make for keener competition. With the number of players in this territory, there is no reason why large tournaments such as the Cambridge meeting should not be run here and he would give this to the incoming committee for serious thought. The two funds I have mentioned, absorbing as they would £lOO per year, may seem ambitious, but it has been proved this past season that with a series of well run dances and tournaments it is well within the capabilities of the club. We are fortunate in having as a member a very capable M.C. for social events, and his style in running dances just a little different to the ordinary, should be used by the club to the extent that he is prepared to give his services. Dancing crowds will follow the organisers of good shows and herein lies our source of revenue for improvements. I consider that I should in this report mention the committees which have functioned during the past season. During my several terms of office I have not worked with a better committee and more has been accomplished than in any past term. When electing a new committee to-night the claims of the retiring members to their capabilities should not be overlooked.

The accompanying balance, sheet presented by the treasurer showed gross receipts totalling £3Bl 3s 6d last year. Against this the major expenditure items were £214 for re-sur-facing the courts, and £9B for balls and nets.

Speaking to the report and balance sheet several members referred to the position of the club. The foundation worlds done last year made good provision for the, coming season. The report and balance sheet were formally adopted. The election of officers proceeded:— Patron, Mr F. Miller; president, Mr L. Mansfield; vice-presidents, Messrs F. Shearer, C. McDonald, and J. E. Bundle; secretary, Mrs G. Mather; treasurer, Mr A. Fear; auditor, Mr Southernwood; club captain, E. Holmes; vice-captain, Miss E. Spiers; general committee, A. Ross, C. Hunt, F. Miller, Mesdames Meads, McDonald; grounds committee, R. Blennerhassett, E. Holmes and C. McDonald; match committee, captain and vicecaptain, J. Sinnott, C. McDonald and Miss N. Benge; social secretaries, Mr J. Sinnott and Miss E. Spiers; social committee, Mr Blennerhassett, Misses M. Meads, M. Robinson and N. Benge. Delegates to sub-association, Messrs L. Mansfield, E. Holmes and J. Bundle.

Subscription was fixed at £1 Is, with a ball levy of 9s for men and 12s Gel, with a ball levy of 8s 6d for ladies. Junior subscription £1 for men and 17s 6d for ladies. Married couple subscription was fixed at £2 7s 6d. Arrangements were renewed for the school to have the use of the courts during school hours as in the past. There was much discussion, on tournament arrangements, both club and inter-club, and the arrangement of a wider tournament fixture as contemplated in the president’s report was considered. It was finally referred to the committee to further arrangement from time to time as the season progressed. It was recommended that a seasonal amount of £5O be set aside if possible •so as to build up a court maintenance fund so as to avoid the need of a heavy charge falling in the one financial year. It was also resolved by way of a direction to the committee that endeavours be made to put down the seventh court as soon as possible, a fund for the purpose to become an immediate objective. The season’s opening date was fixed for the 28th, being the.same date as for the bowling and croquet clubs. Opening day arrangements in the form of tournament events were discussed and arranged. Votes of thanks were accorded all retiring officers. Special votes were passed to the retiring president, Mr Sinnott, and the retiring treasurer, Mr Box, and to Mr J. Elliott who had assisted the club in so many directions.