TENNIS

Temuka Leader, Issue 10416, 11 July 1929, Page 3

TENNIS

THE GERALDINE CLUB. FAREWELL TO DR. PATERSON. At Mr J. Kennedy’s rooms on Tuesday evening, members of the Geraldine Lawn Tennis Club, including several lady members, met to say goodbye to Dr. D. Paterson, who leaves shortly for the Old Country. Mr F. H. Fish, president of the club, occupied the chair, and apologised for the absence of Mrs John Barker, Miss Hislop, Captain Burdon, and Messrs G. Robinson and D. Sharpe. Mr Fish said they had gathered together to say farewell, as a club, to Dr. Paterson, in order to recognise his services to the club. Mr Robinson also was going to leave, and unless they got some new blood they would be hard to replace. Much of the success of the club had been due to Dr. Paterson’s efforts, for he had done more than anyone else. He hoped they would see Dr. Paterson playing in England during the next season, and that he would be playing at Wimbledon and be as successful there as he had been here. (Applause). The president then handed Di. Paterson a solid leather attache case which he asked him to accept not for its value, but as a token of their appreciation and the goodwill which had prompted members. Dr. Paterson, in reply, thanked Mr Fish for the kind remarks he had made about him, which he said he had not merited, for it was not altogether right to say that the success of the club was mainly due to his efforts. If members continued to practice, they would be successful. He had been glad to see the success of the club. When he joined, it had twenty members, and Mr C. W. S. Cox was president. The conveniences were very crude, for the pavilion had only two rooms and the courts were very rough. During his time there had been an increase in their membership, and with their increased income they had been able to improve the pavilion and the courts. They all felt the benefit derived from the shelter fence, which kept out the wind. They need not fear fire, for good insurances had been effected, even if the pavilion were burnt. The courts were much better, and were not now full of holes. They had lost Mr Dehan and others who had helped to win matches, but the club was successful. He had enjoyed every bit of his time with them, and had made many friendships. One had to reach a certain standard of play to be successful at Wimbledon, but ho hoped to play there. Some of their old club-mates had played there, and thought they had done well if they got through the first round, and he would lie satisfied if he did the same. He thanked members for giving him a token of their regard to remember them by, though it would not requiie that to make him remember his old clnli-mates. He thanked them most heartily, and would always remember the Geraldine Club. Dr. Hislop, speaking as an old elivb member who had played occasionally, wished Dr. Paterson success in the Old Country. It must, he said, be a great satisfaction to Dr. Paterson, to know he was leaving the club in a good financial position. The club owed him a lot for what lie had done for it. He wished Dr. Paterson happiness and good health in his future life. The meeting rose and sang Foi He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” which brought a very pleasant function to a close.