44 YEARS AGO

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 133, 8 March 1940, Page 5

44 YEARS AGO

REPRESENTATIVE TENNIS ; MATCH MATATA VERSUS WHAKATANE Recalling the "Familiar Unknown" published recently and stating that the first representative Ten nis Match was played in Whakatane in 1896, Ave are able, by courtesy of Mr F. J. Burt,* Avho took part, to give the teams and a letter from the secretary of the local club inviting the Matata representatives to play. The letter is addressed to Mr F. J. Burt, secretary of the Matata Tennis Club, and headed "Whakatane, Auckland, N.Z., 17/5/96," reads as folloAA r s:— Dear Sir, You gave me to understand, when you were last here, that you would prefer a match to be played for two Ladies in the Match on May 25th. The Whakatane Committee met last night and arranged the programme which I hope will meet with your approval and is as folloAvs. Play to commence at 9.0 a.m. With interval oi one hour from 1.0 p.m. to 2.0 p.m., play to continue till 4.45 p.m. The following matches to be played in the order named: Ist Men's Singles Ist Ladies' Singles Ist Men's Doubles Ist Ladies' Doubles 2nd Men's Singles 2nd Men's Doubles 2nd Ladies' Singles and if time Mixed Doubles.

I might mention that the School examination will be hekl on the 25th inst so Mr Booth will be unable to play anel we will have to play the match on the Town Ground. Your six players and an Umpire arc invited to have Dinner and Pea at Mr Little's on Monday, May 25th, with the Whakatane team and also to a Dance, which will be given in your honour in the evening. I hope that your team will be able to arrive on Sunday evening so that a really early start may be made on the Monday morning. Yours Faithfully, Harry H. Pitcher, Hon. Sec., Whakatane Lawn Tennis Club The teams were: —- Whakatane: H. Pitcher, G. Wilson, C. M. Buckwork, Joe Creeke, Miss M. Butler, Miss M. McGarvey, Matata: J., A. Warbriclc, F. J. Burt, A. McDougal, H. Burt, Miss Ettie Burt, Mrs H. Burt.