LAWN TENNIS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16738, 20 May 1922, Page 17

LAWN TENNIS.

CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION The delegates to the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association met last night* Mr E. J. Tayler presiding. It was decided to instruct the Canterbury delegate to vote for Ayres balls for the New Zealand championships. It was decided to send a letter to Miss Nancy Curtis congratulating her on her win in the New South. Wales singles championships. The chairman stated that Mrs Molesworth, the previous holder, had been regarded as unbeatable and he was very proud of Miss Curtis's record. The report of Mr Goss, as manager of the Wellington team, recommended that in view of the strength of the Wellington Association, the Canterbury Association ought to make every effort to get the best players. The match should be played very much earlier in the season, and pairs who were to play together in the match should get regular practice beforehand, and all members of the team should leave Christchurch if possible two nightß before the matoh. The Matoh Committee reported that since the meeting of February 20, matches had been played aginst Wellington and South Canterbury. A weak team, as far as the men were concerned, was sent to Wellington and suffered a substantial defeat by 23 matches to 1. Mr W. Gobs, as captain of the Canterbury team* in his report to the association, had made a few recommendations for the next match, which would have the attention of the committee. It was to be regretted that some of Canterbury's best men players could not see their way to represent the province such matohes as these, and in spite of every effort on the part of the president and the secretary some of the best players could not or would not proceed to Wellington. Mr Goss had again captained the team that played South Canterbury at Timaru. The result of this match was in Canterbury’s favour by 20 sets to 18. According to the report handed in by Mr Goss, the team had a royal time at the hands of the South Canterbury Association. According to the rules, Canterbury was now entitled to have its name engraved on the Wilding Shield as holders for the past season. The suburban competition had been won by Paparua, who went through without any defeat. The B Grade competition had been won by Linwood, who were not defeated in any match. The ladies' competition had resulted in a win for the Avonsido Club. The annual schools’ tournament ’had attracted a record number of entries. It was very pleasing to see so much interest taken in this tournament, as it tended to show that lawn tennis was growing in favour with the schools. The most important event in the season for the Canterbury Association was the annual Easter tournamentr which was held on • April 15. 17 and 18. As was expected, a record entry was received, the total number being 492, of which a good percentage was from country players. Owing to the New Zealand men’s team for Australia being withdrawn, Messrs Ollivier and Greenwood, who were in the team, took part in the tournament. As a result of the tournament the association's funds will benefit to the extent of £53 7s lid. Regarding the late completion of the tournament, the committee intended to go into the matter before the next tournament and devise means by which the tournament could be completed in three days. The committee would be glad to receive any suggestions from delegates. Mr Goss, in moving the adoption of the report, said that tho association should specially mark its appreciation of the work of the secretary (Mr Wyon Stevens) in connection with recent tournaments. Mr F. J. Murray, speaking of the length of the Easter tournament, said that second-class players should not have been allowed to enter in first-class matches. The players should bo graded according to performances. Mr Go 88 deprecated the limitation of entries, stating that some of the best players had gained their experiences when they were raw by entering in championship events, although they had no hope of going far. However, the tournament had become too unwieldy, and he would like to see the matter discussed at a special iqeieting. Mr Taylor said that Otago, with 510 entries, had played right through from the Friday, and had finished at 5 p.m. on the Thursday, using eleven courts continuously and three others for half a day. The ladies' games had been seven up, and the men's championships had been nine up «or the first two rounds. Mr P. R. Harman said that on the Otago method ol computing entries, Canterbury would have ha»d 725 entries. The report waj adopted, and votes of thanks were rassed in accordance with the committee's recommendations. Mr P. R. Harman moved that the association should express its appreciation of the manner in which the secretary had carried out his duties during the Easter tournament. The entries had been a record, and the tournament was very ably conducted. Mr \V. Goss, in seconding the motion, said that more matches had been played oti the twelve courts than ever before, and the very smooth running of the tournament was due to the secretary's concentration. He remembered no secretary who had done, better work. The motion was supported by Messrs E. J. Tayler, F. J. Murray and L. J. Taylor, and carried with acclamation. Mr Stevens, in acknowledging the vote, suggested that the championships should bo played on glass before Easter. It was decided to ask the Match Committee to bring up a report on the best means of completing the tournament in three days. A motion by Mr R. Browning that the expenses of ladies' provincial teams should not be paid in view of the necessity for conserving the funds of the association, was opposed by some of the older players, who said that it was important, for the improvement of the standard, that outside play should bo afforded to local players, and many instances occurred where the best players were unable to represent the j rovince because they could not afford it. The motion was carried by a largo majority, after several delegates had expressed the opinion that in special cases the expenses w'ould be easily subscribed. Mr P. R. Harman, spooking of the coming matches for the Wilding Cup between the States of Australia and New Zealand, on tho lines of the Davis Oup contest, moved that the Canterbury Association should apply the matohes. An early application was necessary, as it would bo necessary to piepare grounds, possibly at Lancaster Park. Mr W. Goss, in seconding the motion, said that undor recent legislation it would be possible for the United Club, with the consent of the Domains Board, to mako a ohargo for admission. The motion vas carried. The Taranaki Lawn Tennis Association wrote asking for the association’s approval of its request to the New Zealand Association for permission to hold the New Zealand championships (already allotted to New Plymouth) on January 31 and following days. This, it was stated, would ensure faster and better courts. It was impossible to hold the tournament on December 26 and following days, as races were to be held there at that time, and there would be no accommodation for tennis players, and the gate takings would bo greatly affected. The proposal was unanimously opposed as being inimical to the interests of players. who would bo unable to travel except at holiday time. Tho opinion was also expressed that nobody would have voted for the allocation of the championships to Taranaki if it had not been understood that the tournament would be played on the usual dates. A motion was carried opposing the proposed alteration of dates. Tho Sheffield and Mayfield Clubs were affiliated to the association.