SUNDAY PLAY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 925, 21 November 1933, Page 7

SUNDAY PLAY.

Elmwood Tennis Club’s Action.

When complaints that the Elmwood Tennis Club -was annoying residents by permitting Sunday play on Elmwood Park a city reserve, were referred to the secretary of the club (Mr R. S. W. Owen) yesterday he explained the club’s view of the question. Sunday play, he said, had begun only on Sunday last. The decision to permit Sunday play was made following a conference of six clubs whose courts are situated on City Council reserves. The clubs had found that play on Sunday could not be prohibited by' by-law’. “We had always taken it for granted that we were not allowed to play,” said Mr Owen, “ but inquiries showed that only Parliament could amend the law to prevent us.” A postal ballot was taken of the 300 members of the Elmwood Club and the result was a four to one decision in favour of the innovation. As a concession to those objecting to the practice, it was decided not to allow play to start until 1 p.m. Mr Owen said he understood that the delegates of all clubs represented at the conference were in favour of Sunday play, but he did not know whether any club other than Elmwood had actually made a; start with it.

Asked what would be the club’s attitude if the City Council asked that games be not played on the reserves on Sunday Mr Owen said they would wait until the request w’as made.