Record Attendance At Marton Tennis Club’s Opening

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 October 1950, Page 2

Record Attendance At Marton Tennis Club’s Opening

A record attendance of more than 80 players attended the official opening under ideal conditions of the Marton Lawn Tennis Club. Prior to the opening of the courts members assembled at the club's newly constructed bridge, which was ?aily decorated in the club's colours of blue and white, to see it officially opened by Mr A. W. Low, a vice-president and the longest playing member ot the club. Mr Low recalled the days when he first joined the club, when there was no bridge and players had to either jump the stream when it was low or walk the long distance by road to the courts. Later a footbridge had been erected which had served until it was washed away in the February flood. Now, thanks to lhe work of a few energetic members under the guidance of the new president, Mr Penn, a new and stronger bridge had been built and was about to be opened. Mr Low said he looked forward to the lime when there would be yet anI other bridge, this time a traffic bridge, on a formed roadway across the Tutaenui Stream, to open up the surrounding country for housnig. with the club as the central feature. In concluding his remarks Mr Low pointed out, particularly to junior players, that the building of the bridge was an example he hoped they would follow ot giving a little to the club and in return gaining a great deal of enjoyment from it. Mrs Low then cut the ribbon across the bridge. Mr Penn, president of the club, in declaring the 1950-51 season open, welcomed all members, new members and visitors to the courts and wished them an enjoyable season's tennis. The large crowd present, he hoped, was an indication that it was going to ,1)0 a record year. In his opinion the courts and surroundings were in better order than he had ever seen them 'on opening day. This, he said, was idue mainly to a small band of willing I workers who attended the working boos on the two previous week-ehds. Mrs Penn wife of the president, 'then hit the first, ball o c the season 'over the nets.