SUNDAY TENNIS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19147, 2 November 1927, Page 8

SUNDAY TENNIS.

PLAY AT WILDING PARK. PROPOSAL NEGATIVED. By a fairly small majority & proposal to have Sunday tennis at Wilding Park was negatived at a largely-nttended meeting of delegates of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association last night. The proposal was sponsored by Mr F, J.Murray.

In accordance with notice of motion circulated, Mr Murray moved: "Thai Wilding Park be opened for play on all Sundays, and that a committee be appointed for the purpose of con. trol, etc., of such play." The chairman, Mr W. N. Seay, said that it was the first time that Sunday tennis at Wilding Park had come before the Association and, no doubt, there would l>e diversity of opinion. The matter had beeh discussed by clubs, so it was not new.

Mi - Murray said that he thought, the time had come when tho people were looking to the Association to follow the clubs. Tho clubs had: given a lead and, in his opinion, it was a correct lead. None of the clubs had regretted introducing Sunday tennis, ana many of them regarded "Sunday as the best day of the week. Sunday tennis was begun in Sumner seven years ago and City clubs had followed, until almost without exception all tho City clubs had it. If the clubs had given the lead it was up to the Association to follow, for if the Association were against tho clubs, bitterness would exist. Clubs had given a mandate to the Association for Sunday tennis. Funds were wanted for Wilding Park, and, if the true position were known, delegates would be surprised. It would not bo neceesary to h&vo the caretaker present. The.speaker suggested that a guinea, a,year could be charged members of affiliated clubs, and on that basis it would pay. He knew that clubs had suggested that Sunday play at Wilding Park would be detrimental to them, but he did not think so, and selfishness must not come into it.

Mr A. E. Stcere, seconding the motion, said that any result of the meeting would be a fair_ index of the thoughts of delegates. If the motion were carried a "committee would bo set up to control the games. Sunday tennis was not new 5 it was common in Sydney and in other parte. If it were established in the park it would produce a big revenue and that should be an incentive. At present there was a lew of 2s 6d a member of clubs, and if that could bo lowered or eliminated, it would be welcome. Golf on Sundays was a recognised institution. Postponement Suggested. At this stage a letter from Sir J. S. Kirk, president of the Association, conveying an apology for absence, was read by the secretary. Mr Kirk wrote: "As to the matter of allowing Sunday play at "Wilding Park, may I be permitted to express my opinion that, for the present, at all events, and until public opinion is more unanimous on this question of Sunday play, wo should hot open the park on Sundays. Apart from the awkwardness of keeping an official on duty on Sundays, we are certain to offend, if not the majority, •at any rate a large minority, of the owners of the park, .that is, all the members of the affiliated clubs, while it is quite Hkely that many of the owners of the adjoining properties may object on the grounds of Sunday observance. '• Under, the circumstances, 'personally I should, like tbe question to be postponed for, say. a. year."' The letter waa received.

An Amendment. Mr A. Sherris agreed with the views expressed in it. He said that subscriptions for the park were invited from people of all shades of opinion and lie thought that only a small per. centage of tennis players had contributed. Therefore he did not think that the other subscribers should be ! offended. He had sounded the neighr hours of the park and they were opposed to Sunday play, feeling that Sunday observance should be considered. He moved as an amendment that the matter be deferred for a year, at least, as suggested in -Mr Kirk's letter. Mr N. F. Jackson seconded the amendment and asked if play was to be allowed only to members of affiliated clubs. , Mr Murray: Yes; only to affiliated clubs. If outsiders were allowed it would mean that they would got their tennis for a guinea a year. f Mr Browning read the Motion again, and said he had thought it applied to anyone, arid Mr Seay added that he also had so interpreted the proposal. Mr W. Goss said that Mr Murray could make his motion as he liked. The question was whether the park would be open to affiliated players or open to all " Mr Murray: That opens a big question, and requires time to think out. I mil make it that tennis be open to all players provided the player pays. The question was asked if play would be morning or afternoon. Mr Murray: All Sunday. Mr Jackson: We might be making the place a general recreation ground, and we don't want to get the "credit" of introducing Sunday sport. Cricket and other games would follow. Mr J. Longton considered that play should be confined to affiliated players. Ho pointed out that a number of clubs were occupying City reserves, nad members of those were not able to play and would welcome the opening of Wilding Park on Sundays. The park was quite private, and the proper place for Sunday play. He did not think that it was beyond the mark to form a Sunday club at a guinea fee. With 200 members, thero would be good- revenue, and it would give those unable to play elsewhere an opportunity to get Sunday, tennis. The principle had-been affirmed that Wilding Park was to be open to the public. <«* Mr Goss: Mr Longton: is wrong; tho principle was not affirmed. Mr Longton disagreed, but Mr Goss held to his point. Mr F. Schmidt favoured the amendment. -

In reply to a delegate asking about finance, the chairman said that so far nothing had been allowed for depreciation, but if necessary £450 would have to be allowed for that and £750 for upkeep. Mr Murray: We are £IOO to the bad.

Strong Opposition> '"7 hold strong principles regarding Sunday tennis," said Mr Goss. "I'm right out against it, but I think Wilding Park is different from club grounds. I think the park is as much a public ground as others-" Several voices: No.

"It is, except for municipal grounds," continued Mr Goss. "It was subscribed for by the people of Christchurch, and from the point of view of public opinion we should be wrong in allowitfg Sunday tennis, and that opinion should affect us. All things considered, wo should not use Wilding Park for Sunday tennis. We, as a natiop, have observed Sunday as a day of rest, and although I might be thought old-fashioned, still I think those nations which have observed the Sabbath have existed longest. It would sap the virility,of a natloivto have too much Sunday sport. We could not ask the caretaker to work ieven

days a week, and labonr necessary on Sundays.' MB fl S*MaSay with Wilding .Park has Al>e^ but it would not be sO/iii SnadayfWi^p were allowed. Ido D °t breaking the sanctity of tHj --rfPff-' and on that I-noA jjjjjflßft "Narrow Vtttf. 1 / ■ jSHg Mr D. O'Connell held' that s[Mpf of Messrs Kirk and In his opinion there was »o in playing tennis «A. going to the beaches If people fulfilled tbejr then' there was no harm nis after. If Mr anything wrong with he would be one of the strongM^^^g Mr A. Borrows against Sunday tennis. he said, had no right by allowing teiyiis oni few members of clubs pl>ymTCfl|BSg|| days so that the clubs lead. ' 'God bliss sary?" he asked. '* time and now are extra hour, but still Lord's day. We shoiJd jn and riot have Gontinental Mr J. F. Parson gnpporMMfMßßa ment, and Mr L. J. Berry there were enough without opening up Mr Browning said was on the same footing 41. Park, and if any. effort institute game's there there aD Mr lif Thompson, amendment, Said that was a public park govern Association, and.the voipe <*y|S|rani scribers ah ould be count should those who offended. He had a pfltitfoii tically all the residents "tJHH and they hoped, that it . opened on Sundays. ■ Mr Seay supported the ' ihIMBM also, and did not think was ripe for Sunday tenpw. ion of club players should pt OD!|j||ggw Mr Murray Beplying, Mr Murray Sunday tennis were good was good now and pot such men as Archdeacon vocated Sunday tennis th» not feel such a sinner. aWrY|$mMH get a unanimous opinion 7a|m| under the sun when fear o; some came up. ft»EBEaBMW Park would be enclosed Pf Mr Murray added that. WOjrcffiMM courts would not ? a would be required. every On a vote being taken 'JHBM ment was, favoured by si* T tc&bHHH Mr Longton claimed tW»JIMH the question of .proxy After some diieus«on was asked to declaie how were to bo,recorded, « na the nmradiM*,