TENNIS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4541, 19 March 1923, Page 1

TENNIS.

MEETING AT NGATEA. A meeting of the Hauraki Plains Tennis Association was held at Ngatea on Thursday evening last. There were present Messrs Hayward (chairman), N. .Hedges (Waitakar Lira), B. McMillan (Kopuarahi), and A. Vpwles (Hopai), secretary. The Kopu Tennis Club wrote stating that it had now decided not to affiliate with the association, and wished the association to take charge of the Howell Williams Memorial Shield. ■lt was decided, on the motion of Mr McMillan, seconded by Mr Hedges, that the association take control of the shield. Mr Hayward moved that the rules of play for the memorial shield be the game as for the Laidlaw Cup. Mr Vowles suggested that in one or more of the competitions the rules should be altered, as the present method was not the best, many sets being won by luck on the last serve. He thought that the best of three sets would be better. ■ Mr Hayward then altered his- motion to read that the rules of this competition be six game sets and advantage games. v SHIELD MATCHES. 1 ■ Mr McMillan said that the Kopuarahi Club had suggested that the match for the Williams Memorial Shield against Waitakaruru be played at Hopai, but Mr Hedges opposed this as the Waitakaruru team had already had to pay a lot of travelling expenses and were not very financial. The rules stipulated that the matches were to be played on the court of the holders of the shield. Members agreed that the Waitakaruru Club were within their rights. .Mr, McMillan said that Kopuarahi would- forfeit the match rather than travel to Waitakaruru, as many of the memebrs could not spare the time, but if Waitakaruru would like a friendly game they would be glad to meet them on a nearer court. The secretary was instructed to obtain six boxes of used tennis balls from the Parnell Club, as per sample and to sell them to members at 2s 6d a pair or 13s a dozen.

HANDICAP COMPETITION. Mr Vowles said that as the Laidlaw Cup and the Hayward Shield competitions were over and the 'Williams Shield matches were 'drawing l to' a cldse, it was necessary to arrange other competitions. He suggested a handicap competition,, open to all grades of players. As an' alternative, he suggested a grading .tournament.' sueh'as is being played in Auckland. Th;s would establish the position of every player in the district. After a, little discussion it was decided that the grading tournament, was impracticable owing tc, the large area, but that the handicap tournament could be arranged. It was decided that the secretaries of affiliated clubs be notified, and asked to send a list of all players who wish to enter, together with their* entrance fees; to the association, who will draw for players and arrange matches to suit as much as possible the convenience of players. It was decided that the entrance fee be 3s for gentlemen and 2s for ladies, and that, the prizes be paid for out of such funds. Mr A. Vowles was appointed to draw up the handicaps and submit to a meeting of delegates. The tournament was to be played on a point for point for each stroke system, as it was thought this was much fairer that a point for each game. ASSOCIATION COUNTS. ) Mr Hayward said that the Ngatea Club was talking •pf putting down three concrete courts, and asked what attitude the association would take and what, they would, contribute for the use of the courts. If the association were prepared to put down courts there was no need for, the Ngatea Club to do so. Mr Vowles said he had brought the matter up at previous meetings but not njuch interest was taken in it. His scheme of financing the undertaking was by asking each of the eight affiliated clubs to dispose of ten £5, debentures. These debentures would have a currency of five years, and would pay 5 per cent, interest." The association would'have to meet a yearly interest bill of £2O. After much discussion it was decided that Messrs Hayward and Vowles gp into the question and report at a later meeting.

At Waitara a dispute has arisen between the headmaster of the school and the school committee as to which shall have the use of certain land surrounding the school teacher’s residence. The ground has been in the occupancy of a former headmaster, who relinquished his privileges tp the committee owing to failing health, which prevented him from making any use of the land. The committee has since then been deriving revenue from the land, which has been used in effecting improvements. Now a new headmaster has been appointed, and he has notified the committee that he intends to resume the occupancy, not on sufferance, but as a matter of right. It was pointed out by a member of the board that under the regulations the hoard, from time to time, at its own discretion, fixed the amount of land that was to be occupied by the headmaster. It was decided that two .members' of the board visit the district ajul arrange a settlement of the difference.