TENNIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20838, 21 September 1937, Page 9

TENNIS

SOUTH CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT The membership of affiliated clubs was 1009 last year compared with 1014 in 1936, states the report to be presented at the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association at Timaru, on September 28. The outstanding event in South Canterbury’s tennis history was the New Zealand championship tournament, which was held in Timaru, in January, continues the report. Unfortunately wet weather prevented what would possibly have been record gate takings for New Zealand. Without the benefit of overseas players as a draw, which the major associations have enjoyed in the last few yearn, the net profit to the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association of £45, was well up to the average. South Canterbury Championships: At 6ne time it was considered possible that these would be held at Easter. It was later considered inadvisable to hold them on account of the uncertain weather and the more uncertain financial result. Junior Championship: Increased entries were received this year, and the standard of play was excellent. The expenses of running Junior Tennis were generously met by a donation of £5/5/from the Aorangl Tennis Club, to which the Association :s most grateful. The winners were: Boys under 18, J. Rosevear; girls under 18, Shirley Ussher; girls under 15, Pauline Morrison; boys under 15, R. McKenzie. Ranking List Ranking List Matches: Owing to the restriction of play on Maori Park prior to Christmas, ranking list matches did not commence until after New Year. Several of the men displayed fair interest, but with a few exceptions, the women, unfortunately, displayed little interest. The following representative matches were played during the season: V. Otago, at Dunedin, (unfinished), lost, 2 to 10; v. Canterbury, at Timaru, lost, 3 to 21. Thin year the Canterbury representatives were billeted, and this proved extremely popular. In a subAssociation match Town defeated Tengawai by 21 sets to 3. In the inter-club competitions the winners of the grades were Wai-itl A and B grade, and St. John’s, C grade, to whom congratulations were extended. Mr W. Reid is also congratulated on annexing the singles title at the West Coast championships. Addition to Pavilion: Consequent on the New Zealand Tennis Championships being held in Timaru, the Association is indebted to the Timaru Borough Council for the excellent additions to the Maori Park Pavilion and for the special preparation given to the courts, both factors adding largely to the success of the championships. Loss On Year A net lose of £l7/1/3 is disclosed on the year’s operations after charging depreciation of trophies. The Income for the year did not come up to expectations owing to wet weather and the New Zealand tennis championships. The cash position shows a decrease of £2O on the previous year. However, economies Were effected, and the Association starts the year with £33/15/6 in hand, but it is evident that additional income must be raised in order to effectively carry out the Association's activities. The committee desires to record its appreciation of the services of those who so willingly co-operated with the committee at the New Zealand championships, inter-club games and Junior championships; Mr A. Eaton Hurley and Mr A. N. Lesl e, who so capably watch its interests on the parent body; Mr F. J. Robertson, hon. auditor; the Timaru Borough Council, its Curator and ground staff for their excellent services at the Maori Park courts, and to the newspaper of South Canterbury for their generous and helpful assistance.

ST. MARY’S CLUB

ANNUAL REPORT The annual report of St. Mary’s Tennis Club states that the committee considered there was good cause for congratulation on the financial position of the club. The membership this season was: Seniors, ladles 20, men 10; juniors, girls 4, lads 14. This showed an increase of five juniors on the previous season. The team in the “B” grade of the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association’s competitions acquitted itself quite creditably, winning three matches and working close contests in several other matches. There was keen competition in the club’s tournament and marked improvement was noticed in the play generally, more particularly amongst the juniors. The results were as follows: Championship events, ladies’ singles, Miss B. Boys; ladies’ doubles, Misses M. and T. Sexton; combined doubles, Miss M. Sexton and D. Morgan; men’s singles, E. Neilson; men’s doubles, J. D. Rodgers and D. Morgan; boys' singles, E. Neilson. Handicap events, ladies’ singles, Miss T. Sexton; ladies’ doubles, Misses M. and T. Sexton; combined doubles, Miss M. Sexton and E. Neilson; men’s singles, R. Girling; men’s doubles, R. Girling and J. Gibson. Six more debentures had been redeemed and one was very generously donated by Mr H. Oram for which they were grateful. The club’s financial state was quite satisfactory. No. 1 court was topdressed at the commencement of the season at a cost of £5/15/-, and two new nets were purchased for £3/11/3. Nos. 2 and 3 courts would require topdressing for the coming season, costing approximately £l2. The profit from the card socials amounted to £lO/17/ and from competitions and sales by various members £4/8/9. Liabilities to date totalled £lOO. The committee desired to thank the members and supporters for their help and interest in the club's affairs; the auditor, Mr N. Oborn and the newspapers for its reports of the club’s doings. HIGHFIELD CLUB The annual meeting of the Hlghfield Tennis Club was held in the pavilion last week. Mr R. Wilson presided over a fair attendance of members. Thtj annual report disclosed that

there was a slight increase in members compared with the previous year, more especially in the junior section, to whom coaching was given during the year. The courts were in good order, and further drainage improvements had been carried out during the winter. The balance-sheet Showed a slight deficiency on the year'se activities, but it was hoped with the introduction Of but a few new members this deficit would be wiped off during the codling season.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr R. Wilson; vice-presidents, Messrs G. T. Dawson, Jno Robertson, T. W. Manchester and Rev. A. Begg; club captain, Mr G. A. McFarlane; secretary, Mr A. Nicoli; committee, Misses G. Mitchell, N. MacFarlane, I. Johnson, Messrs F. J. Robertson and S. Tyson; delegates to South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association, Messrs R. Wilson and J. S. Satterthwaite; hon. auditor, Mr J. H. Russell. LEADING PLAYERS “THE TIMES” RANKING United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright (Received September 20, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 19. “The Times” tennis rankings are: D. Budge (U.S.A.). Baron von Cramm (Germany). H. W. Austin (Great Britain). Henkel (Germany). F. Parker (U.S A.). B. Grant (U.S.A.). V. McGrath (Australia). J. Bromwich (Australia). J. Crawford (Australia). Riggs (U.S.A.). It adds that Budge in a weaker field is as outstanding a champion as his predecessors. Cramm is closer to him than to F. J. Perry. Women Players "The Times” ranks women players as follows.— Mrs Little (Dorothy Round). Senorita A. Lizana (Chile). Miss Jedrzejowska (Czecho-Slovakia) Miss A. Marble (U.S.A.). Frau. S. Sperling (Denmark). Mlle. Mathie (France). Miss Bundy (Great Britain). Miss P. Scriven (Great Britain). Miss Horn (Great Britain).