LAWN TENNIS.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16096, 20 September 1924, Page 16 (Supplement)

LAWN TENNIS.

THE HAMILTON CLUB. PAST SEASON REVIEWED. (By "Volley.'*} , The Qpefations of the HamiltonLawn Tennis Club during last season were set out as tinder by the committee in the report which was presented to the annual meeting last evening:— Finance: It is the pleasure of your committee to submit to you the report and balance sheet for the sea--son 1923-24; you will notice by referenc6 to the balance sheet that we concluded the season with a surplus on the year's working of £l3 49s 2d. At the commencement of tbe season there are several matters ot importance that wiH. have to be considered by your committee. One of the most important questions we wjll have to face' is that of our financial position; for while we finished the season with a sjnall surplus we cannot congratulate ourselves on having ,made any suhstantial progress. We still have the outstanding liability on the origiv nal courts formation and until that is liquidated we cannot make provision for the payments of debentures, nor for the future developments of our surroundings such as providiQg a number of hard courts and planting and improving the spaces outside the courts area. In view of our present position your committee consider if possible that a special effort should be made this season to reduce our out-standing liabilities:—To make a beginning it is proposed to run an art union and also, hold a sports day on the courts sometime early in the season when such games as tennis, bowls, and croquet, could be played and putting greens .provided for golf. By making a small charge far admis-, sion, and •'» further cjharge or a sma,D fee for participation in Uie various games it is hoped to rajse a considerable amount.

Membership: During last, .season, the meoibcrsbjp ol the club was lijgjhjy satisfactory -being equal, to last-sear son's record; one of tbe moat pleasing features of our .jiie.mhc.t:sh,ip was tb* large number of junior and' school players, and your roinmitlce .'arje of the opinion that it is of vital' importance to the future'of tennis .in this district and'lo our club that something fUßtkcr should be done to assist the junior playeps. Your committee .Tuggcsl that all senior players lake a practical interest In the junior play-

ers and otter their sen-ices as coaches for the season, and that, every senior player undertake to give instruction to at least one junior player throughout the season. Your committee feel that while the New Zealand Association is proposing to subsidise clubs and provide trophies for junior players, the responsibility for the future development of junior players must rest with the individual clubs. It will be noted that with our present membership we finished the year with a small credit balance, and in anticipation of a number of resignations at the beginning of the season it is urged upon members to make an effort to secure new members and if possible to increase our present membership. Ball Supply: Every season your committee is faced with the question of the ball supply, and while it seems impossible to evolve a scheme so perfect that there .could be no cause for complaint, your committee are of opinion that the present system should prove quite satisfactory, providing that all players exercised proper care in the use of the balls and returned the balls to the pavilion at the conclusion of the games. As a further safe-guard, in case of a shortage it is advisable that players provide themselves with extra balls as a reserve to be used during the week days. The present system has its advantages: (i) New balls are provided every Saturday; (2) The cost of balls is spread over the whole membership of the club. Of course there is the alternative of members supplying balls, and under such a system the club would be in a position to refund to members the amount expended on balls during the season. Last season the club spent £lO9 on balls, and a refund to members would amount to about six shillings per member, so that jt is obvious that such a reduction in members' subscription would be quite inadequate to meet the expense of supplying balls for the season. It does appear that such a system would prove a hardship to many members, and in the interests of the club such a change does not seem to be advisable at present. x At the same time members are not entitled to expect an increase in the ball supply under the present system as the club is spending as much on balls as it can afford at the present time. The Game: In reference to the game of the past season, players-' did not appear to possess the keenness and enthusiasm of former years. And the standard of play amongst the seniors apparently suffered a decline. However, there was great keenness and rivalry amongst the junior players and some of the leading junior players showed great promise for the future. Mr Sims provided trophies for both the junior boys and girls, and these matches were decided during the Easter tournament. The schools' tournament was played as usual on the club's courts and attracted big entries. A number of outside matches were piayed with varying success, but wherever the club's A team was engaged they almost invariably outclassed their opponents, and this is apparently one of the priheipal reasons vhy the seniors do not improve. There is a. want of keen competition, and more matches and tournaments are essential to the development of a higher standard of play. The Easter tournament was held as usual, and While there was not such a great number of outside entries, there were more entries from our own district. Most of the events were won by the Auckland players with the exception of the championship doubles which were won by the local pair, Messrs Norrie and Stevenson. We offer Messrs Norrie and. Stevenson our congratulations on their very meritorious win. Locally they were the one bright spot in a mediocre display. Your incoming committee will have to consider the advisability of holding our annual tournament at an earlier date in the future, as the weather at Easter-time is very unsettled and it is really too late in the season to hold a grass court tournament. As the championships are to be held in Auckland this season it be possible to arrange to follow on here. General: Your committee wish to thank all officials and members who have assisted in the management of the club during the season. We wish to especially thank the ladies for their generous and able assistance on the dance committee, and for assisting at all club functions during the season. We also wish to thank Miss Hammond and Mr Gibbons who acted as a subcommittee to carry out all arrangements in connection with the club's dance. The dance proved to be most enjoyable and considerably augmented the club's funds. At the beginning of another season your committee request'that all members will give a little timely and serious consideration to the club's affairs. You will recognise that in a Club with such a large membership there are many problems to he met and many difficulties to be overcome. It is ajmost impossible your committee to approach all members personally, and in order that the club should run smoothly .and harmoniously, all members sh,ould help themselves, and at the same time endeavour to co-oper-ate with, and assist fellow members. For instance we' should as far as possible seek to break away from the growing practice of linking up with certain players, and continually arranging games, more or less to the exclusion of other players. There is nothing like cliques and factions to disturb and destroy the harmony of a club, and as club members we must acknowledge equality, and recognise that all are entitled to the same privileges as ourselves; for example:—On Saturday afternpons after 2 o'clock, singles give way to doubles and combined play, and some pairs seem to play together throughout the afternoon; of course when the courts are crowded it is admittedly difficult for couples to dissolve as there is always the possibility of losing a certain amount of time: but, wherever possible your committee would urge upon members the desirability of breaking up and thus extending to late arrivals, and others less fortunately situated, the opportunity of a decent game. Also in the evening those players who are fortunate enough to be able to play early in the afternoon should, in some measure, he prepared to give way to the late arrivals; and the rule in regard to sets- that only one set should he played, should be strictly observed, and although there may be one vacant court, players should vacate their court for the time'being, and give the incoming players an opportunity to take possession. it is only by the observance of such obligations that are strictly in accord with the spirit of the rules, combined with a Utile self-sacrifice, that the club as a whole can ever hope to attain a greater measure of success aud make adequate and proper provision for il* large and increasing memhership.