LAWN TENNIS

Evening Star, Issue 23370, 13 September 1939, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

OTAGO ASSOCIATION A GRADE COMPETITION ALTERED Tho mmual meeting of the Otago Lawn Tennis Association was held last night and attended by a large number of delegates. In his opening address Dr J. Fulton, who occupied the chair, referred to the death of Mr J. C. Peacock, who two or three years ago had been president of tho New Zealand Association, and who had a long record in provincial tennis; also to the death of Mr R. S. Black. Ho extended a welcome to Mr T. Begg. The year had been one of steady progress, and. the past season had been one of the most successful for some time. Dr Fulton referred to the value of visits to tho country districts and tho success of the M'Millan Cup and Easter tournaments. -Congratulating K. Bryan on winning the men’s champion of champions competition, the president said ho had been a tower of strength to tennis in Otago for several seasons, and his departure would be a serious loss. Ho was also sorry to have to announce that the Otago Club would be forced to withdraw from the association this season. The club had had a “ rocky ” time, and it had been a question of closing down or withdrawing. Their membership campaign, however, was showing promise, and he hoped the club would be back again in the association next year. The chairman concluded by thanking all those who had given assistance last year, referring especially to tho work of Mr R. Phillipps. Mr A. M'Millan seconded the motion for the adoption of the report and balance sheet, congratulating the association on tho healthy condition of its finances. The motion was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. The election of office-bearers resulted:—President, Dr J. Fulton; vicepresidents—Messrs R. Phillipps, A. T. Jensen, E. D. Duthic, A. M’Millan; bon. solicitor, Mr J. S. Sinclair; secretary and treasurer, Mr E. S. Wilson; auditors, Messrs Maclnnes and Sons: hon. architect, Mr Muir: committee— Messrs E. Swete, G. H. Jolly, E. G. Ruben, R. S. Jack, R. A. Morrison, G. I. Black, W. Sherriff, H. S. Ross. GENERAL. A motion that the number of honorary vice-presidents be limited to 20 was carried. The date for the official opening of the season was fixed for September 16. A remit from the Moana Club that tho A grade competition be divided into three sections, men’s, ladies’, and a mixed competition, and that tho first two be limited to four teams each, was put as a motion by Mr Chisholm. An amendment was moved by Mr R. Phillipps that the number be six, and a good deal of discussion resulted before a decision was reached. The amendment was lost, as also was a further one introduced by Mr Hinton, reducing the proposed competition to the third section of the motion. This, implied that the competition bo mixed in character. The motion was finally carried.