LAWN TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 243, 14 October 1931, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS

STIMULATION INTEREST RESIDENTIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. HELPING COUNTRY CLUBS Efforts are to be made by the Wanganui Lawn Tennis Association to stimulate interest between town and country clubs, and also to enliven competition between the different country clubs by the re-arrangement of the rules governing the residential ’championships. The following motion was passed unanimously: “ That it be a recommendation to the incoming committee that representatives of the country clubs be asked to attend an early meeting of the management committee to consider a re-arrangement of the rules relating to the residential championships along the lines that the city and the country clubs should separately play eliminating matches, the respective finalists to play off for the residential championships.” The motion was proposed by Mr A. Wheeler, delegate for the Alartou club, and seconded by Mr G. H. Pownall. Introducing the subject, Mr Wheeler said that the very life of the country clubs depended on inter-club contests. The programme of visits from Wanganui to country clubs of a few years ago had had a tremendous effect in the stimulating of teunis in the country. It was impossible with present conditions for country players to come in to Wanganui to p>ay in the residential championships. It might be possible with the new scheme, he said, and if it were, it would be a very good move. It would give zest to the interest of the country clubs, not merely to one club, but to every club. The country clubs would be able, for instance, to have a series of matches, or else they might be worked in sections. The top players in the country would then have the right to come in and play the metropolitan top players. It was possible that it might not be carried out this year owing to financial difficulties, but the management committee would have the authority for the change if the motion was carried. Seconding the motion, Air Pownall said that he was quite sure that the idea would work satisfactorily in practice. The scheme had been tried some years ago and he was sure that it could be worked at the present time. The chairman, Air N. R. Bain, said there was no doubt that some such scheme could be adopted. If it could be held on the lines suggested it would be a very good thing. Mr AL L. Lampe thought it could be worked, and he was sure that rhe city players would be glad to see the country players come in and play off. Mr Wheeler said that it couid be more easily worked with the singles than with the doubles, perhaps, but he would certainly favour some scheme of the kind. The idea had originally come from the Alangaweka Club. The idea was an excellent one, said Mr N. B. Barkman. He asked if it would not be a wise move to confine the scheme to the singles this year. It might also be extended to have the semi-finalists meet instead of only the finalists. It would bring the country players into the town, and selectors would then have the top players of the whole district before them every year and they would know what form they were showing. But the whole thing would need to be gone into very deeply. The motion was carried unanimously, it being suggested that Mr Wheeler should arrange for representatives of the different country clubs to go to Taihape on a Saturday where the members of the management committee and country members might spend the afternoon playing and the matter could be thoroughly discussed in the evening.

WANGANUI ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING HELD ELECTION OF OFFICERS There was a full roll-call at last night’s annual meeting of the Wanganui Lawn Tennis Association. Clubs outside Wanganui represented included Raetihi, Ohakune, Taihape, Marton and Hunterville. Air N. R. Bain was in the chair. He expressed pleasure at the full attendance and welcomed new delegates. In moving the adoption of the report, previously published, and balancesheet, the chairman said that it appeared that the finances of the association were in quite good order. AU those who had attended the meetings had given their best advice in furthering tennis in the district. ►Seconding the motion, Air W. H. Swanger said that the association was to be congratulated on the state of its finances. There were very few sports bodies and clubs that had been able to finish up the year with a balance of over £B5. They were in a very satisfactory position. Whatever management committee was electee, the committee would have a verj nice little “nest egg” to start off with. An honorarium of £lO 10s was voted to the secretary and £5 5s to the treasurer. The election of officers resulted: Patron, Air Gifford Marshall; president, Mr N. R. Bain; vice-presidents, Dr H. Christie, Messrs AL L. Lampe, G. Williamson, W. H. Swanger, G. H. Pownall; hon. secretary, Air A. W. J. Peacock; treasurer, Mr D. G. O’Toole; hon. solicitor, Mr Ralph Brown; hon. auditors, Alessrs N. G. Meuli and G. F. Lomas; management committee, Alessrs E. Simpson, N. B. Barkman, K. Hounsell, E. Lind and R. T. Perkins; delegates to the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, Messrs W. J. Afelody, Watson and G. H. Pownall; selection committee, Messrs 8. Powdrell, AL L. Lampe, N. B. Barkman and P. Brooker.