Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, SEPT, 19, 1947 YEAR’S ACTIVITIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 82, 19 September 1947, Page 4

Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, SEPT, 19, 1947

YEAR’S ACTIVITIES

WHAKATANE TENNIS CLUB PRESIDENT’S REVIEW The following comprises the president’s (Mr P. Bryers’) annual report at the Whakatane Lawn Tenis Club’s annual meeting last Tuesday evening:— It gives me great pleasure to present the'first annual report of the Whakatane Lawn Tennis Club (Inc) and lay before you as briefly as possible the commendable progress attained during the last 12 months. During the last year your committee has met eight times and the finance committee on several occasions. As you know, we started with nothing, but enthusiasm but this, together with the determination of the members has produced five grass courts which we hope will be available some time after .Christmas. A considerable amount of materials, consisting of wire netting, about 50 posts, 4 tennis nets, crockery, has been purchased. The cost of the construction work which includes the cost of grass seed and fertiliser, plus the cost of the above-mention-ed materials has been paid for by the efforts of the committee. Money was raised by subscriptions, competitions, dances and a picture benefit.

Constitution Our application for incorporation has been accepted by the Registrar who approved the Constitution as drawn up by the committee. Incorporation will shortly entitle us to draw on the £B3 bequeathed by the old club. At the same time it was considered expedient to affiliate with the N.Z.L.T.A. for the many advantages to be derived. Season’s Play I must remind you of the difficult position in which we found ourselves during the 1946-1947 season. We had a vigorous, enthusiastic membership, competition invitations from outlying clubs, abundant local support but no courts. We are indebted to the School Committee for the use of their two hard courts for without these we could never have attained the enviable position that we find ourselves in today. The School Committee has granted us similar privileges for the coming season and in addition will permit Sunday play, during specified hours. During the last season three matches were played—these being two friendly games with Rangitaiki and one for the Dunlop Shield and the Watt Cup against Opotiki. In these matches our teams displayed great consistency—we lost the lot! Nevertheless they were most enjoyable and our hopes are high for the coming season.

Our Club Captain, Mr Lovelock, .spent a considerable amount of time, coaching both adults and children and these sessions proved invaluable to those taking advantage of them. This coaching and the four free club memberships extended to school children fulfilled our pledges to the School Committee. Prospects Possibly the most important development of the moment the negotiation with the Borough Council for our use of the present site in the Domain for a of 21 years, years. The deed has been approved by the Borough Council. This agreement not only gives us

security of tenure but strengthens our hands immeasurably in the matter of Government subsidies.

Our secretary has made personal application to the Departments concerned with these subsidies and we are assured of very favourable consideration when our applications are submitted. As this subsidy involves a considerable amount of money the club may well congratulate ieself.

Interest-free loans to the amount of £SO during the period of our financial stringency were invaluable. These have now been repayed. The committee wishes to record its gratitude to the members concerned. Finance Under the heading of finance must come the subject of subscriptions for the forthcoming year. Last season whilst we were limited to the school courts with no Sunday play the subscriptions were necessarily low, but next season will present a diffeernt picture, with Sunday play on the school courts and a reasonable prospect of play on the five grass courts towards the latter part of the season. These additional facilities, together with the inevitable increasing expenditure such as maintenance of grass courts and the purchase of a mower and other incidentals automatically demand higher subscriptions. Appreciation Our present position has not been attained without a treemndous amount of real work by our members. Although one hesitates to select indiivduals, there are some who have given outstanding service to the club. In particular we have to thank Mr Lovelock for his untiring efforts as chairman of the works committee and club captain. Our secretary also has in his quiet way accomplished a tremendous amount of work. Although unable, because of official duties during the weekends to give as much assistance as he would have liked, to the working bees, he threw himself with extra vigour into his secretarial duties. If anything had to be arranged Mr Francis would get it done. Mrs Francis, too, by taking over the lion’s share of the tea-making for the working bees, has been of invaluable help. It is with sincere regret that we learn of their possible impending departure from Whakatane. Thanks To Members I desire to thank in particular the following: Mr Pax Collins for his work as treasurer; Mr and Mrs Wells for their interest and enthusiasm; members who kindly lent equipment for construction work; members who generously supplied food, milk, etc. both for working bees and throughout the season; all those who helped with working bees; Mr Henderson for his practical and technical advice; Mr D. Patterson and Mr A. Smith for loan of tractors; Mr R. Morpeth for donation and Mr R. Chapman for his wholehearted co-operation.