TENNIS

Te Ao Hou, Winter 1952, Page 63

TENNIS The New Zealand Maori Lawn Tennis Championship Tournament has, like the New Zealand Maori Golf Championship, become an institution. The formation of Maori tennis as an organised game can be traced back many years. In 1911 the Marumaru Cup as a teams' tennis trophy was competed for the first time and tournaments were held annually between teams from Taranaki, Hawke's Bay and Wanganui. Easter of the year 1926 saw the New Zealand Maori Lawn Tennis Association formed at Rotorua on a constitution drawn up by Sir A. T. Ngata. With a recess of some years, the Maori Association has conducted annual tournaments in various districts, the principal trophies being the Marumaru Cup, the Morehu Turoa Cup with many other trophies donated by supporters. Maori Tennis Clubs flourish in many districts with many district tournaments being held in addition to the usual local championships. In North Auckland, Maori Tennis Clubs participate in the Kaikohe and North Auckland Tennis Championships and the Nga-

puhi Memorial Cup, the Peneha Maori Cup, and the Tiamana Cup tournaments create interest each year. In Wanganui, where it is said that organised Maori tennis commenced, the Ruihi Tairapenga Cup is played for. Te Puke and Tauranga run an annual tournament between twelve teams. In the Wairoa District, ten Maori Tennis Clubs have been active for many years and comprise the bulk of the players in the interclub championships as only four other clubs, Pakeha, comprise the remainder. Rotorua, Whakatane, East Coast and Opotiki conduct an inter tribal tournament for the Herewini Memorial Shield. The Arawa Tennis Association was first founded about 1925–26 with clubs at Whaka, Ohinemutu, Owhata and Matata. There are now 21 clubs affiliated with the Ransfield Memorial Cup, Hinemoa Rose Bowl, Rotary Cup and Horohoro Challenge Cup. Championships are at present held by Mr W. Keys, Taumaranui (men's), and Miss D. Morrison of Rotorua (women's). Junior Maori Tennis was inaugurated by the Maori Lawn Tennis Association last year. A Sir Apirana Memorial Fund was created, into which all sub-Associations, it is hoped, wil pay £25 to obtain a total £500. As a start four entries were arranged for the Junior Trials in Wellington last year. The New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association was generous enough to sponsor two of these.