TENNIS SEASON BEGINS

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1931, Page 8

TENNIS SEASON BEGINS

LARGE CROWD AT OPENING.

STRATFORD COURTS THRONGED.

Only six courts were in use at the official opening of the Stratford Tenuis Club season yesterday afternoon, and so large was the crowd of members and visitors that it was found necessary to ration games to 20 minutes duration. At the ringing of the bell 24 energetic players trooped off and 24 fresh ones took their places. Afternoon tea was provided by the ladies. Mr. E. C. A. Gaw, president of the club, in introducing the Mayor’ and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. P. Thomson) expressed his appreciation of tjheir presence despite the fact that they had been engaged elsewhere that afternoon. To the numerous visitors he extended a cordial welcome. He asked members to endeavour firstly to observe the rules of the game and of the club, and secondly to take an enthusiastic interest in the game. The former, he said, would tend to promote harmony and the latter good tennis. One way of showing enthusiasm was to attend annual meetings, where it was possible to show appreciation of the efforts of the outgoing committee and to indicate a personal interest in the club’s welfare. This season the committee was making special efforts to cater for young players and beginners. " In this connection he drew attention to the fact that the Ranford buttons and the Walter cups were both handicap events for which all new tennis players should enter. '

After congratulating the club upon its appointments and upon the perfect tennis weather, the Mayor said he had recently had an opportunity of perusing the club’s annual report, and therein he found further cause to congratulate the officers and members. The past season, had been a successful one financially, reflecting credit upon the administration and the ability of the committee. Then he noticed a substantial increase in membership, and he prophesied that the club would shortly have to lay down additional courts in the piece of ground made available by the Domain Board. ■ Mr. Thomson went on to refer to the social side of the game, mentioning the convivial atmosphere around the afternoon tea tables and the enjoyment of the periodic club dances. As chairman of the Domain Board he assured the committee that the board made every endeavour to give sympathetic consideration to requests from the club, and he was satisfied that the cordial relations would continue. Mr. Thomson then declared the courts open. GENERAL ITEMS. Prior to the opening of the Avon bowling green yesterday the two honorary greenwardens, Messrs T. Wilson and W. Collingwood, were presented each with a leather bowling bag, the gifts being made as a mark of appreciation from the bowlers and croquet players. In making the presentation, Mr. J. Masters, president of the club, said both the ladies and bowlers owed the greenwardens a deep debt of gratitude for their unremitting and conscientious attention to the lawns and green. It was never too much trouble for Messrs Wilson and Collingwood to attend at the grounds and put in hours of work on the surfaces.

“Statistics can be made to prove almost anything, and I could no doubt show that since the new Government came into power the number of twin births has increased,” remarked Dr. D. Steven, at the official opening yesterday of the ante-natal clinic at the Stratford Public Hospital. The Pembroke Dairy Company has decided to advance ?0d per lb on October 20 for last month’s supply, and the August payment will be brought to lOd by a further payment. A bonus payment on last season’s produce will make the total payment to date for last season 11.31 d.

The Stratford cricket teams for tomorrow will be.-Stratford A to play Okaiawa at Hawera: Gatton, Hall, Sandford, Irving, Donnelly, G. Richardson, Gover, Dormer, Wilson, Tabart, Collins, Priest. Stratford B to play Kaponga at Stratford: Young, Henderson, Walker, Burton, McKenzie, Reed, Green, Gower, Payne, Burgess and Burton.