CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 210, 31 May 1921, Page 6

CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS

THE QUESTION OF A NORTH ISLAND CENTRE THE ANTHONY WILDING COMPETITION

The quarterly mooting of the council oi the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Associa-

tion was held last night, Mr. M,.*E. Denniston presiding.

In connection with tho adoption of a make of ball for use at tho 1921 New Zealand championships, a letter was received from the Canterbury Association suggesting that tho Ayres ball should be adopted and approved. Several firms wrote giving particulars of the various makes which they handled. It was decided to adopt the Ayres ball for use at the New Zealand championships. In regard to the regulations for the Anthony Wilding Memorial Challenge Shield competition, several members thought that the teams shoufd not be tied down to four men. An amendment was moved that the word "men" should be deleted. Mr. Goldie thought, that it was not a fair proposition to expect a lady to play against a man. Mr. Henderson mentioned that one of the reasons why the committee had stipulated four men was that it was a memorial competition to Anthony Wilding, tho greatest male lawn tennis player New Zealand had produced. He suggsted that'in the future a competition for women only might be instituted. Tho amendment was lost, and the motion that the team should consist of four men players was carried. In reference to the rule defining the qualifications allowing a player to play for an association, an amendment was moved that ho should onlv have to reside for six months withiE the area of nn association instead of twelve months. The amendment was lost. Mr. Goldie thought that the rule stipulating that all matches should be played on grass courts should be emended so as to provide for the use of bard courts should grass courts he unplayable owing to weather. He suggested that the rule should be referred back to the mrnagement committee.

The Otago delegates mentioned that in Otago all courts were hard c< urts and all tournaments there ’ ere played on hard courts. Mr. Goldie mentioned that Mr. Hardy (cantnin of the American Davis Cun team) had stated at Auckland that he thought that the Davis Cup court <f the future was tho hard court. "Rot” interjected a member.

Mr. B. Koosing thought" Hat the matches should be played on grass courts. This woe the lawn tennis game. and it should be kept the game. Tn il.e north tho grass courts were used widely. And amendment that hard eonits should be u-od wlmn the available grass courts should be unfit for play was carried.

Several <iel<wate« asked ’f the c-r.rnmit-toe had ronsidered no»sib ; lity of including Easter in the definition of the tennis year. The committee had eugpesfed that the tennis year should bn defined as from October 1. to March 31. An amendment that April-.TO should be substituted for March 31 was carried. Another amendment that tho competition should end on March 31 or Easter Tuesday, whichever is the latest, was envried. The Hawke’s Bay Association wrote applying that Wast’nes should bo chosen as the North Island centre for the Now Zealand ohamnionship meetings. They mentioned that there were two clubs in Hastings, one club had 15 <nn=« courts on freehold property, nnd the otlmr ei-bt grays courts on the Public Domain. T” addition there would be a number of private courts available for practice. There would be ample room for the erection of stands) for the public, end the weather of Hawke’s Bay was unifo.-mlv fine. There was n1«o a pavilion, with all conveniences. The question of accommodation, etc., was also mentioned. Mr. Henderson thought that while De proposal had manv disadvantages the advantages outweighed the disad-.’antl'Mr. He referred to the fact that in other r-cui tries the centre was fixed. Mr Hendsr,.on al»o referred to the fast that no New Zealand Association hod any real championship courts, and all the necessary conveniences for the holding cf n chnmnionshin meeting. One member mentioned that ho had recently boon to Hastings, and ho had wen the courts. They were certainly beautiful ones. He was of the opinion that if tho meeting decided tn adopt one centre Hastings- was the ideal nlare. It was moved that the matter should bo deferred to the next quarterly meeting, and the other centres circularised with regard to the question.

Annthor member ■mentioned DamiUon. Tie beliovecl fliaf there 50 or 60 courts were beinc laid down. Surely this wns n town that should receive cnnd’deraHou.' TTe wa,«: in favour of the matter heiii» deferred. The amendment was carried.