TENNIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19607, 29 September 1933, Page 5

TENNIS

SOUTH CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING HELD The annual meeting of the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association was held last night, Mr C. S. Hammond presiding over the following delegates:—Messrs R. Wilson, W. Mantell (Highfleld), G. Smythe, R. A. Holdgate (Timaru), S. H. Sullivan, N. A. Moore (Wal-iti), A. N. Leslie (Temuka), P. Young. J. Milliken (Aorangi) and J. Gonley (St. John’s). In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet (which have previously been published), the chairman said that the Association had entered into considerable correspondence with the New Zealand Association regarding the holding of the New Zealand championships in Timaru. The South Canterbury Association being a minor, had not received the attention which might have been expected and on occasions had received scant consideration and courtesy. The New Zealand Association were to be congratulated, however, on having inaugurated New Zealand junior hard court championships, and in that connection the success of Misses N. Sullivan and D. Smythe was most gratifying. The Association was doing as much as possible for junior tennis in South Canterbury. Reviewing the finances the chairman said that a glance at the receipts and payments showed that the Association was sailing fairly close to the wind, and was dependent on the success of its annual tournament for its finance. There was no need for alarm but it should. be borne in mind for future consideration. It could not be gainsaid that the Association was doing a great deal to foster tennis in South Canterbury, especially junior tennis. The motion was seconded by Mr A. N. Leslie and carried. Election of Officers. Before electing its officers for the ensuing year the meeting decided to record its appreciation of the services f Mr Hammond during the last three years. The election resulted: —President, Mr R. Wilson; vice-presidents, Messrs A. N. Leslie and G. Smythe; executive, Messrs C. S. Hammond, R. A. Holdgate, N. A. Moore, J. Gonley, W. Mantell; auditor, Mr F. J. Robertson; delegate to New Zealand Association, Mr A. Eaton-Hurley. No Levy This Season. The chairman invited discussion of the possibility of imposing a levy on clubs this year in an effort to build up the finances. The suggestion was opposed by Mr Smythe, who said that a levy would not be popular with clubs generally. It was felt that the Association was stronger financially than the clubs. These remarks were endorsed by Mr Wilson, who moved that no levy be imposed this season. The motion was seconded by Mr Smythe. Mr Young concurred in the view that a levy would be undesirable, but made the suggestion that the Association migfft find a source of revenue in entrance fees. Affiliated clubs imposed an entrance on members who joined from unaffiiiated clubs, and the Association could use some of that money. After all it was the Association which provided the facilities and it should have the money in preference to the affiliated clubs. It was pointed out that the majority of clubs had now waived their entrance fees and the suggestion was dropped. It was decided not to impose any levy for this season. Play on Asphalt Courts. Mr Moore suggested that the Association might reorganise its competitions. He felt that the grass courts were taking interest from the clubs with asphalt courts. He suggested that the Association should abandon Its inter-club matches and select Jte better players and divide them Into teams, Irrespective of clubs, letting them play among themselves. That would have the effect of improving the standard of tennis among senior players. If it were thought desirable the ladder could be extended to say 25. Similar competitions could be arranged for other players on asphalt courts. The chairman admitted the value of the suggestion but questioned the advisability of suspending the inter-club competitions. Mr Gonley suggested that the ladder should be extended to 24, or any number divisable by four, and that on one day of the year a knock-out competition for a shield should be organised. Mr Young pointed out that the A and B grade teams were well catered for on the grass couits, but what was needed was something to hold the interest of C grade and general club players. After further discussion It was decided to play the C grade competition on the asphalt courts. Challenge Matches Proposed. It was decided to play the A and B grade competitions on the grass courts and that, in addition, an A grade challenge round be played for the Ross Shield on the courts of the holders or challengers, at the option of the holders. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr J. S. Satterthwaite for his work in connection with the ranking list and it was agreed to ask him to continue his services. Recommendations Made. On the motion of Mr Sullivan it was decided to recommend the incoming committee to go into the possibility of grading the junior championships into three ages, under 21, under 18 and under 16. A further recommendation was that only one round of matches be played in the A and B grades. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Sullivan for his interest in junior players. Visit of Davis Cup Teams. The secretary (Mr F. J. Cook) reported that the New Zealand Association had advised that the English Lee and Wilde were arriving in Wellington or October 16 and would be prepared to play exhibition matches in Timaru on October 18. The offer had been accepted and the Association would receive 20 per cent, of the gross takings. It was stated that the Australian Davis Cup team also would arrive in Wellington on October 16. Their itinerary was Nelson, October 18; Christchurch, October 21; Dunedin, October 23; Oamaru, October 25; Wellington, October 28 and Hastings. October 30. It was decided to inquire from the New Zealand Association whether the Australians would be prepared to break their journey at Timaru to play exhibition games

EXCLUSION RESENTED SOUTHLAND PROTESTS. By relnormD- Presf Asaocurnon INVERCARGILL Sept 28 The exclusion of Invercargill from the itineraries of both the Australian

and English touring tennis teams provoked strong criticism of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Association at the annual meeting of the Southland Association this evening, and the following resolution was carried:— “That this meeting of delegates to the Southland Lawn Tennis Association representative of all tennis players in the province enters a most emphatic protest against the grossly unreasonable attitude of the New Zealand Association in persistently excluding Invercargill from the itineraries of overseas teams, and particularly from the itineraries of both the English and Australian representatives who are separately visiting New Zealand next month The point is stressed that the Southland Association is the ninth largest in New Zealand and has in the past supported the parent body both financially and otherwise. The first constitutional object of the New Zealand Association is ‘to foster and control' the game of lawn tennis in New Zealand, but while control may be present, the fostering is limited in its application. In the present circumstances this Association sees no benefit to be gained by the continuance of the payment of affiliation fees, and while *t would regret the necessity of seceding from the New Zealand Association, such action ma" become inevitable unless the parent body displays a greater sense of justice in its administration of the game."