MAORI TENNIS

Te Ao Hou, July 1955, Page 54

MAORI TENNIS In 1954, the Maori Tennis Championships were held at Gisborne and among the players was a small contingent from Dunedin, including two young cousins of mine—Les Potiki and Clinton Anglem. The Gisborne tournament was probably their first contact with a large group of Maoris and they were so impressed by the experience and the hospitality that they sought an agreement to hold the 1955 tournament in Dunedin. This tournament was completed on the 25th January. Although a number of familiar faces were missing a large contingent from Poverty Bay, Hawkes Bay and the East Coast made the trip. I saw the Gisborne people on the way through—the whole 82 of them. All finals were fought out between Takitimu and Horouta and I am told that the standard, especially among the juniors was very encouraging. A tribute has also been paid to the fine sense of sportsmanship in all sections and this, I think is even more important than good tennis. The following are the results of the finals in detail:— Men's Singles: J. Pere (Takitimu) beat S. Wehi (Takitimu) 6–2, 2–6, 6–4. Women's Singles: Mrs L. Ngata (Takitimu) beat Mrs R. Harvey (Takitimu), 6–4, 2–6, 6–2. Women's Doubles: Miss T. Waititi and Mrs S. Smith (Horouta) beat Mrs Ngata and Mrs R. Harvey (Takitimu), 6–1, 6–4. Men's Doubles: J. Pere and M. Harvey (Takitimu) beat J. Te Kawa and J. Cosgrove (Horouta), 6–3, 6–3, 6–3. Mixed Doubles: M. Harvey and Mrs Ngata (Takitimu) beat Wehi and Miss M. Nepe (Takitimu), 6–2, 8–6. Girls' Championship Singles: Miss T. Waititi (Horouta) beat Miss A. Dewes (Horouta), 6–1, 6–2. Boys' Singles: D. Goldsmith (Horouta) beat W. Hoeria (Horouta), 6–1, 6–3. Boys' Doubles: H. Kershaw and D. Goldsmith (Horouta) beat L. Moeau and W. Ackroyd (Takitimu), 6–2, 2–6, 6–1. Girls' Doubles: Misses A. Pipi and J. Edwards (Takitimu) beat Misses T. King and M. Collier (Takitimu), 6–3, 3–6, 6–1. On the Social Side the Tournament was an unqualified success. It may be that we southerners are not used to organising large huis but we do have at least one natural advantage which virtually ensures success. Ours is the home of the titi and I understand that the visitors were well catered for in this respect—many having titi at every meal.