RAETIHI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 246, 16 October 1937, Page 14

RAETIHI

RAETIHI TENNIS CLUB The following is the annual report which is to be submitted on behalf of the committee by the secretary (Mr. J. A. Mcßride) at the annual meeting of the Raetihi Tennis Club to be held on Tuesday next:— Membership.—At the close of the 1935/36 season the total membership, including junior members, was 55. During last season the total number on the members’ list was 66. This increase is satisfactory but it is still felt that there are people in the district who could be persuaded to join the club if more inducement were offering. Finance.—The club commenced the season last year with a bank overdraft of £l2 17s lid and in spite of an extraordinary expenditure of some £35 on the courts, the overdraft has been further reduced to £8 17s 3d. It is significant that over the past three years the club’s annual income has gradually increased from £45 to £9O. Matches.—Under the new rules for the Butler Shield for competition between the Raetihi, Ohakune and Ohakune Junction Clubs, the shield was finally retained by Ohakune. In matches with visiting teams from Taihape and Taumarunui your club was successful. A vjsit was also re-: ceived from St. John’s Club, Wanga- i nui, when a draw was played. In a second match at Wanganui St. John’s proved the victors. By defeating the Hunterville Club in the final at Hunterville the Raetihi Club won the shield awarded to the winner of the “C” grade competition conducted - by the Wanganui Lawn Tennis Association for city and country clubs in its area. Most enjoyable “B” team matches were played with Ohakune, Erua and National Park and the Parapara. Your committee’s intention to extend the “B" grade matches to enable players in the club who arc riot in the regular “A” team to play in matches against other clubs in the district was frustrated by the inclement weather which prevailed during a large part of the season.

Courts —The condition of the courts constitute the major problem facing the club to-day. They were laid down some 13 years ago but no foundation was provided, the courts comprising merely a thin layer of asphalt on top of clay. The result has been that water has percolated underneath the courts which have become seriously cracked by the hard local frosts. Last year it was thought this difficulty might be overcome by replacing the grass patches at the back of the courts with metal, heavily resealing the whole area and cleaning out the drains on all sides of the courts. It was considered that, if this were done, no water could percolate under the courts and the “frosting up" of the asphalt surface would not occur. The experiment was carried out at the commencement of last season but appears to have been, quite unsuccessful.

Coaching.—Provided sufficient support is forthcoming from members and prospective members to warrant the trip, your committee has arranged for a visit to the club for two or three days by Mr. A. Noble Campbell, the professional tennis coach stationed in Wanganui. This visit will be made early in November. Valedictory. —Several members of the club left on transfer during last season and while it may be invidious to mention names it is felt that the club should place on record the valuable services of Mr. Stan Moor. The committee’s appreciation was shown by a representation function tendered by the club to Mr. and Mrs. Moor prior to departure for Te Awamutu.

Thanks.—The club has to thank the St. John’s, Hunterville and Ohakune Clubs for their hospitality, Mr. L. N. Ritchie for his services at honorary auditor, those who assisted in the production of the club’s recent vaudeville show and Mr. J. F. Punch, who has stood by the club as guarantor of its bank overdraft.

RUGBY FOOTBALL. The following is the draw for the seven-aside tournament to be played at Ohakune Domain to-day, this being the final event of the 1937 Rugby season in the district:— Schools.—ll.3o a.m., Raetihi B v. Convent; 11.45 a.m., Ohakune v. Rangataua; 12 noon, Raetihi A v. winner of 11.30 game; 3.45 p.m., final. Thirds. —12.30 p.m., Raetihi B v. High School A; 12.40, High School B v. Ohakune A; 12.50, Ohakune B v. Raetihi A; 1 p.m., winner 12.30 v. winner 12.40 games; 4 p.m., winner 12.50 v. winner 1 p.m. games. Juniors. —1.10 p.m., Karioi Av. Raetihi B; 1.20, Raetihi A v. Ohakune B; 1.30, Ohakune A v. United B; 1.40, United A v. Rangataua; 1.50, Karioi B v. winner 1.10 game; 2 p.m., winner 1.20 v. winner 1.30 games; 2.10, winner 1.40 v. winner 1.50 games; 4.15, final. Seniors.—2.2s p.m., Ohakune B v. Rangataua; 2.40, United B v. Raetihi A; 2.55, United A v. Ohakune A; 3.10, Raetihi B v. winner 2.25 game; 3.25, winner 2.40 v, winner 2.55 games; 4.30, final. The proceeds of the tournament are to be devoted to the fund for injureu players. The season will be officially closed at a smoke concert to be held in the Druids’ Hall, Raetihi, to-night. RAETIHI BOROUGH COUNCIL HALF-YEARLY REPORT

At the monthly meeting of the Raetihi Borough Council the town clerk (Mr. C. M. Turner) presented a halfyearly report which reevaled the movement in the cash accounts of the general and electricity departments as at September 30. A revenue statement was also presented. In the general department there was shown a credit balance of £1544 16s 7d (£97b 15s). The electricity department was in credit to the extent of £1970 4s lOd (£1692 18s 6d). Last year’s are in brackets. Rates.—ln connection with the collection of rates the figures for the half-year are as follows: Current rates £2683 Os 7d (£2557 3s 9d), arrears of rates £4ll 18s 9d (£7Ol 11s 9s); 10 per cent, penalty £22 9s 9d (£7B 9s 2d). Public Debt.—On October 1, 1937, a further amount of debentures were redeemed under the conversion loan amounting to £l2OO, the total amoum redeemed to date being £2300; however, this does not affect the interest and sinking fund charges which remain the same during the currency oi the loan. Electricity Department (as to September 30). —Lighting £1768 8s 9d (£lBl6 16s 4d); heating £849 16s 7d (£440 19s lOd); water heating £65 (£52 6s 3d); meter rentals £64 10s * 1