OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 24, 29 January 1934, Page 11

OBITUARY

MR. D. MURRAY KEAN

' Lawn tennis in New Zealand has suf-fered-a heavy loss through the death on Saturday evening of Mr.D. Murray Kean, secretary of the New, Zealand Lawn Ttnnis Association. Until ten days ago the late Mr. Kean was apparently in normal health, but when lie was farewelling the Now South. Wales ladies' tennis team he suffered a. severe stroke, which, ultimately resulted in his death at his residenc, 51 Glen Road;' Kelburn. '.. ■ : ; Born in Auckland in 1881, the late Mr. Keau came to Wellington as a child and lived here ever since. He was educated at the Mount Cook School and the Technical College. Apprenticed to the late Mr. G. G. Schwartz, architect, he served two years in tile building industry to gain practical experience in his profession as an architect. After a,short term in the Government service,» during which he acted as an instructor at the Technical College, Mr. Kean went to Australia for further experience. On his return to New Zealand ho practised on, his own account. Mr. Kean will be remembered by thousands of tennis players throughout New Zealand for the invaluable service: he, has rendered tho sport in an administrative capacity over a period of; many years. In his younger days Mr. Kean' joiuea the Brougham Hill Tennis Club, and later became one of the foundation members of the Kelburn' Club, of which he wai vic«-presi' dent at the time of his death. In his oarlier years he played a very ; good game, and retained his form to' a remarkable extent as he grew older. It was in the administrative side of the game, however, that he showed outstanding ability. After a term as secretary of the Wellington Lawn Tennis Association, Mr. Kean was appointed a delegate to the New Zealand Council in lDIO; Three years later he was elected to the management committee, and in 1920 he was appointed secretary'of the association. In this capacity he did remarkable work in conducting New Zealand tournaments and international fixtures, and evolved a system which, in addition to being highly efficient, enabled the position of players to be ascertained at any moment. Whatever the , .circumstances, Mr. Kean /never became flurried or impatient, and every player knew that he could depend upon him for scrupulously fair treatment. Players Were never driven "to play a match so soon after a previous engagement that-it was physically impossible fdr.them to give of their best for the sake of concluding a tournament on a given day. It was during Mr, Kean's term as'sceretary of the association that the sport of tennis Increased so greatly in popularity., This was due to a great extent to the success of Mr. Keatt in getting oversea teams on their way to Australia to break their journey and play in New Zealand, Tennis teams are often difficult to deal with, but Mr. Kean nearly always secured the desired erid through his skill and tact in negotiation.' '-.. ...... Mr. Kean's, association with the running and control of New Zealand championship tournaments, of which, he was both manager and referee, was a lengthy one, and it will be difficult for the tennis authorities to find a successor capable of attaining the; high standard set by Mr. Kean. His loss, Coming within a few weeks of the death of his great friend, Mr. George N. Goldie, "the father of New Zealand tennis," is indeed a severe blow. The late Mr. Kean, who loaves a Widow and one: daughter, Miss Audrey Kean, is also survived by his parents, Mr..and Mrs. David G. Ke,an, of Wellington. I The funeral took place this afternoon^ MR. E. TT~HEALEY (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH,This Day. The death is reported of Mr. Ernest Hilliard Healey, a former member;'of tho Dominion Council of the New Zealand Bowling Association, past president of the Christchureh Centre, and past president of the Canterbury Rugby League. ' . '