LAWN TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 49, 21 November 1921, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS

THE GAME IN NEW ZEALAND

MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL

(By

“Fore-Hand.")

It is quite evident that tennis in this country has at last come into its own, and bids fair to rival any other outdoor pastime for popularity. Devotees in their hundreds have fallen under the spell of the racket, and so great has tho rush to join up become that the majority of existing clubs have full membership rolls and the courts in most cases are very congested. Signs are not lacking that the game m New' Zealand is making headway, and the day may not be far distant when the Dominion will be able to regain the supremacy ov-cr Australia it exercised when that prince of players, the late Anthony Wilding, was at tho top of his form. Two New Zealanders, H. C. McCarthy, of Christchurch, and J. N. Lowry, of Hawke’s Bay, were members of the combined Oxford and Cambridge tennis team which rycently visited America, and tho former had the honour of captaining the team. This proves that young New Zealanders can hold their own with the best of them with the racket, and with the great revival of interest in the game which has been manifest recently in this country, it is not too much fb hope that we may yet be able to enter a team which will bring! tho coveted Davis Cup back to Australasia.

THE MOVE FOR DECENTRALISA- * TION.

In view of the competent manner in which the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association has controlled the game in this country, it was somewhat surprising to find the Auckland Association bringing forward a motion for decentralisation of control at the annual meeting held in Wellington on October 31. Mr. B. Kecsing, the Auckland delegate, moved to the effect that, a conference of representatives of affiliated associations should be held in Christchurch during the New Zealand championship meetting to discuss general matters of importance concerning the game in New Zealand. While Mr. Keesing’s motion, on the face of it, was apparently harmless, the case was so presented that the impression was given that it was tantamount to a vote of no-confidence in ths governing body. Viewed in this light, the motion was given short shrift, and was promptly voted out. It was felt that this move was the thin end of the wedge to have tho annual meeting of the association held each year wherever {he championships were taking place. While a conference could do no harm, it is quite clear that the parent body could not permit tho tail to wag the dog. As a matter of fact, it is common knowledge that tennis in New Zealand has been admirably controlled by the council of the New Zealand Association. The substantial credit balance in hand is a testimony to the sound manner in which the funds have been safeguarded, and, barring Auckland, every affiliated association is well satisfied with the management as at present constituted. This is not surprising, seeing that tho constitution places control absolutely in the hands of affiliated associations, so that no matter where the headquarters may be located ths delegates, by tho voting powers vested in them, have the deciding voice. Under tho present rules, each affiliated association is entitled to one delegate and one vote Tor every 100 members up to 300, and an additional delegate and vote for every 1 additional 300 members. It is provided that an association may be represented by a separate delegate for each vote to which it is entitled, and, furthermore, any one delegate may exercise all tho votes to which his association is entitled. At present the voting powers of tho various affiliated associations are as follow: —Canterbury 9, 'Wellington 9, Auckland 8, Hawke’s Bay 5, Wanganui 4, Taranaki 4, Marfborougfi 3, Southland 3, West Coast 2, and Nelson and Waikato one each. It is thus clear that no centre ■ has an advantage over another. Tho suggestion to hold the annual meeting during the championship week- is impracticable, for the very reason that the governing body would have to go out of office i.n the'very - middle of the season and right in the middle of the financial year. If the various associations instruct their delegates properly, and see that they exercise the full voting power to which they are entitled, there should bp no necessity whatever to upset the present control, ivhich is managing the game ably and well. Auckland would be better advised to throw her weight into loyal co-operation with the New Zealand Association, and help to make the controlling body a strong united band for the advancement of the game.

THE NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

The dates for the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association's championships have now been definitely fixed for December 27, 28, 29, and 30, at. the United Club’s courts, Christchurch. Air. R. D. Harman, of Christchurch, has consented to act as referee, and the committee which will control the tournament will be Messrs. R. Browning, P. R. Harman, and D. Murray Keen, secretary of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association. The programme will bo practically the same as last year, consisting of seven events. Other tournaments authorised are: Southland Association’s Christmas tournament, to be played at Invercargill; North Otago Sub-Association’s Christmas tournament, at Oamaru; and the Marlborough Association’s Christmas tournament, at Blenheim. NEW ZEALANDERS AT HOME. Ths New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association recently wrote congratulating Air. H. C. McCarthy, son of Air. S. E. AlcCarthy, S.M., of Christchurch, upon obtaining his tennis bluo at Cambridge University. A reply has just been received from Air. AlcCarthy, in which he gives some interesting particulars of tho progress New Zealanders are making in the game at Home. "It was a very great pleasure indeed to me to receive your kind letter, and to be made aware of the association’s keen interest in its players abroad,” writes Air. AlcCarthy. "It was also a very great pleasure indeed to be able to ipclude in my team another New Zealander, J. N. Lowry, of Hawke’s Bay, and to award him his 'Blue.’ In the recent combined Oxford and Cambridge tennis team to America, which I also had the honour of captaining, there wore two Englishmen, two New Zealanders, a South African, an Australian, and an American. This, of course, was the first Oxford or Cambridge team io play in America. Next year wo are trying to make it possible for Harvard and Yale, and possibly Princeton, to visit England. We shall then have a New Zealander, J. N. Lowry, as secretary of the Cambridge U.L.T.C., mid the following year, when another Oxford and Cambridge team go to America, I hope to see him as captain.” NOTES AND COMMENTS. In connection with the Anthony Wilding Memorial Challenge Shield competition, challenges have been sent to the holders (the Canterbury Association) by the Auckland and Waikato Associations. In each case it is proposed that tlio matches should be played in Christchurch immediately after the New Zealand championships. It is understood that the Otago Association, will also be issuing a challenge to the Canterbury Association. Tho committee has decided to recommend the council to send a New Zealand representative team to New South Wales about next. Alarch or April.

Mr. M. E. Denniston has been re-elect-ed chairman of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Association. Complaints have been received from those using the courts at Day's Bay regarding the rough nature of the courts. As the Wellington City Council derived <£365 in fees from tennis players on the Day’s Bay courts last year, it is considered that they might expend sufficient to keep tho courts in better order than they aro at present.