LAWN TENNIS SEASON OPENS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23331, 15 October 1945, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS SEASON OPENS

Wai-iti, St. John’s And Aorangi Clubs Well Supported Although a strong southerly wind marred conditions later in the afternoon tennis enthusiasts on Saturday gathered in full strength for the openng of the Wai-iti and Aorangi Tennis Clubs. Yesterday afternoon the St. John’s Tennis Club also held its ppen''season tennis balls and rackets are easier to obtain than during the war years, and all clubs have shown an increase in membership with the return of men from overseas. With each opening the club presidents said that particular attention would be paid to ,he coaching of young players, and all the courts looked remarkably well considering that it was impossible to do much to them over the last five years. Wai-iti In declaring the Wai-iti season open, Mr G. R. Innes-Jones (president), said he hoped that this season would be one of the best they had ever experienced. The club was going to do everything in its power to support the junior players, and he asked senior members to come along on Saturday mornings to carry out coaching, for it was in the Juniors that the club’s strength lay. He congratulated members on the way that they had supported the club over the difficult years and thanked the many willing helpers for their efforts to bring the courts back to a first-class playing stat". Aorangi “We are fortunate to have the courts in such excellent condition,” said Mr P. W. Young at the opening of the Aorangi Club. The upkeep of the courts cost at least £1 a head without the general running expenses of the club. New members and visitors were welcomed, and the president said that the club hoped to enter a team in every grade in the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association’s competitions. The courts were then declared open for play by a former president of the club, Mr R. L. Eames. St. John's In declaring the season open for play yesterday, the president of St. John’s Club, the Rev. Father P. Heagney, S.M., extended a cordial welcome to visitors. The occasion was a particularly happy one, lie said, as many former members had returned from overseas and he warmly welcomed them back to the club, where they would be assured of wholesome recreation. The presence of so many junior members augured well for the future of the club. Father Heagney concluded by asking all members to give their loyal support and co-operation to the committee. The president of the Wai-iti club (Mr G. R. Innes-Jones) extended his club’s best wishes for a successful season. Mixed doubles were played and afternoon tea was served. St. Mary’s Club At the annual meeting of St. Mary’s Church Tennis Club the Rev. J. Smith presided. The report stated that the club was in a sound financial position. About 12 yards of the concrete wall on Banks Street had been washed out by the hailstorm at the end of 1944, but the damage had been repaired. The election of officers resulted:— Patron, Mr M. A. Raymond; president, Archdeacon W. W. Averill; vice-presi-dents, Rev. J. Smith, Messrs W. G. Tweedy, S. Andrews, E. Gibson, J. Rodgers; secretary and treasurer, Mr G. V. Smyth; club captain, Mr E. Gibson; vice-captain, Mr R. Moore and Miss D. Oborn; committee, Miss Kane, Mrs M. Craig, Miss B. Bracefield, Mr A. Craig, Mr D. Morgan; honorary auditor, Mr A. Oborn. Wilding Shield I (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. i The first matches in the Wilding i Shield and Nunnelley Casket competition since 1941 will be played at , Wellington on November 2 and 3 as > the result of challenges by Hutt Vall ley. Both trophies are held by Wellington.