TENNIS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18382, 28 September 1929, Page 3

TENNIS.

SOUTH CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL REPORT. The following is the annual report of the Soitfth Canterbury LaWix Tennis Association, which will be presented at ! the annual meeting to be held next Monday, September 30. The report and statement of accounts which are now presented to you deal with the year ended July 31, 1929—a period which has been marked by steady progress and during which the grass court scheme was finalised AFFILIATED CLUBS. The number of Clubs affiliated to the Association is eleven, with a membership of 543, against last year’s return of thirteen clubs and a membership of 729, ANNUAL TOURNAMENT. The annual championship and handicap tournament was held on the Timaru, Wai-iti, and Highfield Courts at the New Year, and although not favoured with settled weather the majority of the event,, were completed to time. The financial results, owing mainly to tho weather, were not as satisfactory as in the previous year. Results were as follows:- . CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS. Men’s Singles—C.' P. Mollison. Ladlies’ Singles—Miss Poultnev. Men’s Doubles—N. Cramond and G. Innes-Jones. Ladies’ Doubles—Mrs Scott and Miss Green. Mixed Doubles—Mollison and Miss Manchester. HANDICAP EVENTS Men’s Singles—F. Mangos. Ladies’ Singles—Miss Roileston. Men’s Doubles—" Wilson and Tyson. Ladies’ Doubles—Mrs Laurenson and Miss Manchester. Mfxed Doubles—Oram on d and Miss Green. RANKING LISTS As in previous years the Match Committee were responsible for drawing up and controlling the Ranking Lists. In which doubles lsits were established for the first time. So far as the men were concerned full advantage was taken of opportunities to play challenges The Match Committee would like to see greater interest shown among the ladies in regard to Ranking List matches. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. Three representative matches were played during the season, one each against Otago and Canterbury for a loss in each case', and one against North Otago for a win. JUNIOR TENNIS. The encouragement of junior players in the district compares favourably with previous years. At the South Canterbury junior championships splendid entries were received and through the generosity of the Timaru Club in allowing the use of their courts finality was reached in the course of one day’s play. From the ranks of the juniors we look to recruit our future members and it will be to the advancement of tennis that your Association does everything in its power to advise and aSsisV young players. The winners of the junior championships for 1929 were Miss B. Sutherland and W. G. Robertson. By means of subsidies from the New Zealand Association and your Association the 192? junior champions, Miss M. Eliot and W. G. Robertson were enabled to compete at the New Zealand championships held in Auckland at Christmas, Mies Eliot winning the junior doubles championship with Miss Howe, of Wellington, and W. G. Robertson, the junior doubles with E. Drew, of Otago. W. G. Robertson was also runner-up in the junior singles championship. Your Association wae represented by Miss B. Sutherland and W. G. Robertson at the junior national harcicourt championship at Wellington in May of this year,,, and whilst not successful in winning any titles, tbei»* play was a credit to the Association. As an Association we are indebted to the great help and advice of Mliss E. Lee, sports misrtess of the Girls’ High School, given in regard to juniors, especially during the period of the Junior championships. INTER-CLUB COMPETITIONS. As sufficient support was not forthcoming from affiliated clubs to hold banner matches, it was resolved that the intev-clu'b competition be not held. Several friendly games were, however, played between clubs. When the Ataahua grass courts are available it is hoped that clubs will assist the Association in its endeavours to provide banner games FINANCIAL STATEMENT. A satisfactory position is revealed in the balance sheet of the Association. The operations for the year have shown an excess of receipts over expenditure of £66 13s Id, due in large measure to the profit from the annual tournament and the Association levy. CONCLUSION Tho Committee desires to place on record its thanks to those clubs who have placed their grounds at the disposal of the Association-, especially the Timaru Club, at wlnich the junior championships, inter-provincial matches, and the final of the tournament were played. As in previous years your Committee desires to tender its thanks to the Ladies* Committee of the Timaru Club, and particularly to Mrs E. J. LeCren and Miss E. LeCren, president and secretary. for assistance rendered at tournaments and matches. Although not called upon to any great extent, Mr G. Hurley, our delegate in Wellington, to the New Zealand Association. lias at all times been alive to our interests.