OMATA TENNIS COURTS

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1932, Page 12

OMATA TENNIS COURTS

OFFICIAL OPENING PERFORMED. RESULT OF CO-OPERATION. Another instance of what can be accomplished by co-operation has been given by residents of the Omata district On Saturday afternoon a hard tennis court was opened in the school grounds almost free of debt. A considerable amount of work was involved, including the taking of levels and the excavation of a considerable amount of earth, but so enthusiastically did everyone work that the district now possesses a modem tennis court, equipped with permanent net posts and net complete, and surrounded by a trim wire netting fence with high punga posts'. It is the intention of the committee also to provided a punga pavilion. The court is pleasantly situated close to a clump of kowhai, which will provide welcome shade in the summer. Despite the unfavourable weather that prevailed on Saturday afternoon there was a large attendance of residents of the district to assist in the official opening. Though they were disappointed at not being able to carry on with the tournament as arranged, it was decided

to proceed with the opening ceremony. The court was one of the greatest assets the district had as it would be the means of fostering social feeling in the district, remarked Mr. B. Kurth, chairman of the school committee, in expressing pleasure at seeing such a large attendance. In the first place the suggestion had been made by Messrs. L. A. McHardie and R. B. Stanton, and the committee had at once considered the question as they would do any suggestion brought forward in the interests of the school As the result of a combined meeting of all interested the project had been enthusiastically taken up and the courts were being opened almost free of debt. . The site had been prepared with the assistance of unemployed relief labour in the earthwork, and much voluntary labour had been put in by a number of residents. He thanked all who had assisted, particularly mentioning Messrs. D. Penwarden and N. Berridge, whose work had been outstanding. The former had been associated with the work right through, having taken the levels at the start and put on the finishing touches, while Mr. N. Berridge had supervised the unemployed work. Mr. McHardie had also done good work on the financial side. , Mr. Kurth said tlaat the genesis of the fund for the construction of .the court might be put down to the purchase of a vacuum cleaner for the school, enabling a social fund to be built up as the result of the children’s work; He also paid a tribute to the work of the ladies’ committee. Mr. McHardie on behalf of the children thanked all who had assisted to make : the tennis court an actual fact. They had tried several times and now, thanks to the support of the committee and the settlers, had succeeded. He also expressed appreciation of the work of Messrs. Penwarden and Berridge,’ who had been indefatigable. The court would be of three-fold benefit to the school as it would be useful for tennis, for basketball and for drill The fact that it would give the children while at school and in later life an opportunity of taking part in sport was beneficial Cheers weer gievn for Mr. Penwarden.

Mr. Penwarden, patron of the club, remarked that if the children and those who were going to use the courts enjoyed themselves in playing as much as he had in assisting to prepare the court everyone would be satisfied. The court would be a great asset to the district, and in order to encourage the children he promised to give a trophy at the end of the season to the champion player of the school. . Mrs. Kurth and Mr. Penwarden then served the first balls, after which the court was officially declared open. Owing to the wet weather it was not ■ possible to carry , on with the touma- | ment, so an adjournment was made for afternoon tea, which was provided by the ladies. A tennis club has been formed with a membership of about 30 players. Mr. Penwarden is patron, Mr. Berridge president, Messrs. R. Sanger and E. Andrews vice-presidents, and Mr. McHardie secretary. STRATFORD TENNIS CLUB. DRAW FOR WALTER CUP. Following are the handicaps and the’ draw for the Walter Cup competition conducted by the Stratford Tennis Club: J. W. Hale owe 8 v. Seyb 12, J. Cameron 19 vl ‘ Maguire 12, Umbers 16 v. Kelly 6, L.. Cameron 8 v. Rankin 16, Strack 8 v. Morey 20, Sandford 2 v. F. Hale 4, Maclaurin 19 v. Young 12, Lawrence 8 v. Robson 18, Pooley 8 v. Butcher 15, Ennis owe 4 v. Hart 12, Sharrock 10 v. C. Jury 19, Lucas 19 v. McMillan 16, R. Butcher 9 v. Boyle 4, Gaw 6 v. MacCready 16, Carryer 18 v. Thompson 16, Bourke 16 v. Robertson 16, W. T. Hale scr. V; 1 Harris 6, Hartigan ’ 16 v. S. Jury 16, Bamford 4 v. Machines 19. Mrs. Knewstubb owe 8 v. Miss Grubb 14, Mrs. Ennis 10 v. Miss MacCready 15, Miss Furrie 10 v. Mrs. Strack 9, Miss Best owe 8 v. Miss McCluggage 14, Miss Elgar 16 v. Miss Brown 15, Mrs. McKay IQ v. Mrs. Horn 6, Miss Whittle'2 v. Miss Keightley 14, Miss Murray 14 v. Miss Dixon 20, Miss Coward ■ 15 v. Miss Sheahan 14, Miss Carman 4 I v. Miss Penn 13, Miss Fitzgerald 18. v. ' Mrs. Gaw 20, Miss Moore 17 v. Miss Law- : rehce 4. ■