TENNIS

Te Ao Hou, June 1959, Page 71

TENNIS Auckland's foremost exponent of the game is Miss Ruia Morrison, a New Zealand ladies champion and our first Maori representative at Wimbledon, where she acquitted herself with honour. An old girl of Queen Victoria College, where she also played basketball, Miss Morrison is a very popular person, being noted for her unassuming manner and desire to get on with the game. On her two overseas trips she has learnt a lot and says her tennis has improved. Another of Auckland's finest players was Bob Matiu. Mr Matiu One of Auckland's popular sports organizers is Rei Rautahi, especially prominent in basketball administration. In ordinary life he is foreman of the polishing department at the Disabled Servicemen's Training Centre. (Photo: Robin Wood)

was also New Zealand Maori champion. His career as top man for Ngatira for several seasons made him one of the most difficult men to beat on hard courts. At the last New Zealand championships held in Auckland, Mr John Waititi won the trophy for the best umpire during the whole tournament, his delivery of calls and demeanour being impeccable. There are several Maori players with various clubs in Auckland and all play good games and are able to give good accounts of themselves. Economically, it could be said that tennis is within the scope of the normal income; this is probably one reason why it is so popular. Golf, unlike tennis, is economically difficult for many Maoris. Club enrolment fees, annual subscriptions, equipment and transport are rather prohibitive as far as the average income is concerned. However, Auckland has two New Zealand champions. Mr Godfrey, a young man of Maori descent, at the age of 17 has annexed the amateur crown of New Zealand. His feat is without parallel in New Zealand golf history. Starting as a young caddy at Titirangi, he has progressed through the caddies championships to his New Zealand title. Here is a lad with a natural rhythm and balance who only needs more intensive competition to perhaps one day be New Zealand's first Maori to play in the world amateur