BADMINTON

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 118, 22 May 1939, Page 6

BADMINTON

NATIONAL FEDERATION

One of the, most contentious issues of the annual meeting of,the New Zealand Badminton Federation at the Chamber of Commerce rooms on Saturday was the series of regulations or conditions (presented on behalf of the retiring management committee) governing the conduct' of national championship meetings. . Before they were ratified, several points caused keen debate, especially the suggested regulation that provincial associations given New Zealand meetings should provide at least five courts for the tournament. A section of the meeting declared that an arbitrary number would exclude provincial centres with excellent facilities but fewer courts. Another section declared that a fairly large number of courts was essential. The conditions were ratified, but the number of courts to be provided was reduced to four. „, Mr. C. J. E. Smith, of New Plymouth, presided over an attendance of more than1; 30 from all parts of the country. In moving the adoption of the annual report, he surveyed a successful season. Referring to the survey to be made, by the National Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation, he said it was essential that the claims of badminton should receive attention. I The executive had already applied for a share of the funds from the Grand Sports Art Union. Officers elected were as follows: — Patron, his Excellency the GovernorGeneral; president, Dr. W. G. Gower, I Hamilton; vice-presidents, Messrs. D. O. Whyte, Wellington, and E. J. Pumphrey, Christchurch; hon. secretary-treasurer, Mr. R. B. Wheeley, Wellington; management committee, Messrs. H. N. Burns, D. A. F. Crombie. E. J. Rishworth, C. Levin, E. C. Gorton. Wellington, D. C. James, E. R. Utting, Auckland, G. Callis, Hamilton, C. J. E. Smith. New Plymouth, H. M. A. Major, Masterton; hon. solicitor. Mr. H. N. Burns; hon. auditor, Mr. T. G. Hull, Wellington. Expressing thanks for his election, Dr. Gower declared that the game was going ahead magnificently. The question was whether the federation was doing enough for the players coming forward. Overseas tours were very fine in their way, but were facilities for improving play in every town being provided? Another question was the cheapness of shuttles. The game depended on the provision of cheap shuttles, otherwise it would be killed or seriously damaged. These were questions which required discussion. But he firmly believed, said Dr. Gower, that in attracting an types of men who were willing to work enthusiastically, the game was bound to progress. Mr. Whyte presented a report on the question of shuttles for the present season. There had been a danger under the import restrictions, he said, that there would be a shortage this season. Last week, however, an application to the controller of customs had been successful and the federation had placed orders with an English firm for the delivery of 2000 dozen shuttles. It was not expected that there would be a shortage this season. The committee's decision to. grant the 1940 Centennial championship to Wellington was ratified. Appreciation of the services of the former national secretary, Mr. A. H. Richards, who was transferred from Wellington to Patea some months ago, was recorded.