HAURAKI PLAINS TENNIS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5045, 29 October 1926, Page 3

HAURAKI PLAINS TENNIS.

ANNUAL ASSOCIATION MEETING NEW COMPETITIONS. The annual meeting of the! Hauraki Plains Tennis Association was held at Ngatea on Wednesday, Mr A. H. McClean presiding in the absence of the president, Mr B. Frecklinto.n. Delegates present were Messrs E. AMahoney (Ngatea), W. Mclnnes (Kaihere), D. Pike (Patetonga.)', B. McMillan (Kopuarahi), D. G. McMillan (Turua). and A. Vowles (Hopei). ANNUAL REPORT. Included in the annual report was the following:— “In presenting this, the fourth annual report, members 'ajre to be congratulated on having experienced a most successful season. “Financial. —Judged in terms of actual £. s. d., the season would not .appear quite so satisfactory as the, previous one, as the statement of accounts shows a debit balance Of £6 Qs 7d; but when the loss on the bajl account (£3 7s 9d) is. deducted, the general working account show's a debit balance £2 Is, which may be regarded as quite satisfactory, in view of the hew ground broken and the much wider field of Operations * covered by the association during the year. “Membership.—The number of affiliated clubs remains the same as last year, namely, nine, with a total membership of approximately 223, against 240 during the previous year. “Competitions.—The various competitions were again keenly conteteited, and in most ca.ses a much, improved standard of play was shown. Results are as follows: “A ” Grade: Laidlaw Cup ; winner, Turua Club.. This being the Turua, Club’s third win in succession,<thi;k cup has now been won outright. The donor, Mr R. A. Laidlaw, has generously presented another cup to re- , place it, and extends his hearty congratulations to the winneijs. of the former one. “ B ” Grade : Hayward Shield ; winner, Kerepeehi Club. Hcwell Williams memorial Challenge Shield. —This trophy was won from the Hikutaia Club by Waitakaruru, Turua afterwards successfully challenging and becoming the> holders for the season. Handicap Tournament. —This event shows a falling off in entries ais; compared with the previous seasoln, the total being 101 as against 123. As the expenses remain very much the same as formerly a corresponding reduction in the contribution to the general fund is shown. The results are as 'follows: — Ladies’ Singles: Gold medal provided by association, Miss B. Duffy, 'runner-up, Mrs F. Bird (both of the Mangawhero Club). Ladies’ Doubles: Association Gold medals, Mesdames Hudson .and OLoiughlin (Kerepeehi), runneris.-up, Mrs and Miss Clotworthy (Turua). Men’ Singles : Association gold medal, D. G. McMillan (Turua), runner-up, D. Molesworth (Waitakaruru). Men’s Dotubes : Association gold medals Cdppins Bros. (Hopai), runners-up, Averill and Howarth (Turua). Championship Singles : This event showed a marked 'falling off in entries, the figures being 7 ladies. 17 men, as against 15 and 29, or 41 in all, the previous season. The reason for the small entries jseemU to be. that quite a number of young players are .afraid of appearing too ambitious i'f they enter for a championship event in which they have no chance of winning, but this is quite a mistake, and it should be pointed out that if entries in these events are to be confined to only those whol have ,a chance of winning, the main objective, that of improving the game generally, is entirely missed, and the younger players, who are most in need of the practice and experience provided by these contests receive no benefit at all. In connection with the championships the association is indebted to the proprietors of the “Hauraki Plains Gazette” for .the donation of handsome cup known as the Gazette Cup for the ladies’ championship singles, and to Mr J. Ford, of Auckland, who provided a similar trophy, known as the Fprd Cup, for .the men’s championship singles. It was' decided that both these cups should be challenge cups', not to be won outright.” In the statement of accounts a debit balance of £6 6s 9d was sho/wn. With the credit balance of £44' B|s; lid from the previous year, this left the association with a credit balance as at October 27, 1926, of £3B 2s 2d. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet Mr A. H. McClean commented on the satisfactory position dis,closed, and mentioned that 90 per cent, of the credit was, due to the secretary, Mr A. R. Vowles. This was endorsed by the other delegates' present, and a vote of thanks and appreciation was carried. Replying, Mr Vo/wles said that the huge amount of pleasure he got out of the work was ample reward. At a later stage Mr McMillan moved and Mr Mclnnis seconded that thq association expresses its appreciation of the services of the isecreta'ry, and desire to express this; in some manner be arranged by a, committee comprising the president, Mr McClean, Mr D. .G. McMillan, and Mr E. A. Mahoney, ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The three retiring officers were reappointed—Mr B. Frecklington, president ; Mr A. H. McClean, vice-presin dent; and Mr A,. R Vo.wles, secretary and treasurer. THE ZONE QUESTION. The question of altering the system of playing the interclub matches from that which prevailed I'ast season was discussed at length. Last season the district was divided into three zones; each containing three clubs, and when thqse had played off, the zone winners played off. This reduced the amount of travelling ,but experience proved that it was not liked by players dn 'account of the restricted amount of interclub interest.

The Ngatea, Patetonga, and Kaihere stated that they had

been instructed to oppose the system, while .the Waitakaruru delegate spoke in support of it. Mr McClean said that the system permitted friendly matches to be ranged, and these gave younger players a greater chance of playing in interclub matches. The Turua and the Kopuarahi delegates, also opposed the zone sytem, and a motion abolishing the system and 'reverting to : the round system was carried. CENTRALISATION.

The matter Qlf centralising the latter matches of the championship and handicap tournaments at some central courts on certain days was brought up by Mr Mahoney and supported by the other delegate. The Objection that it was not fair to ask a player to play two important matches on one day was over-ruled, on the contention that physical fitness was equally as important as stroke production.

It was pointed out by the Ngatea delegate that he wa,s not .advocaing the matter in support of .the Ngatea courts, as unless much was done to them they wotild hdt be in <aj fit state. On the motion of Mr D. G. McMillan, seconded by Mr D. Pike, it was unanimously decided that the tournaments be c entralised oh courts to be decided by the association, .and to be played on such days as fixed by the association.

PROPOSED VALLEY ASSOCIATION.

A letter was received from the Te Aroha Tennis Club suggesting the formation of a Thames Valley Tennis Association, to consist of Te Aroha, Morrinsville, Matamata, Paeroa, Hauraki Pla.ins, and other Thames Valley clubs, such association to be affiliated direct with the parent bddy.

The letter stated that such an association was badly needed, as the pi® l ' sent Suoth Auckland A&spciation was too large and covered too much territory to be of hiiy great use to small clubs. Inter sub-association matches, and an annual tournament could be arranged.

Mr Mahoney pointejd out that by appointing two delegates, as suggested, to discus's tlie project at Tie Aroiha the association was. not committing itself. He moved to that effect, and Mr D. G. McMillan seconded. Mt Vowles pointed out that linking up with Thames Valley would mean seceding frdm Auckland, and that might not be to the advantage of the Plains. Visits 'from Auckland teams could be be depended upon under the present arrangement. Members .spoke against changing, but the motion to send delegates to invstigate the matter was carried. Messrs D. G. McMillan and E. A. Mahoney were, Appointed the delegates. INTER-CLUB DRAW. In view of the lack o’f knowledge as to what teams -would enter for the inter-club competitions the matter of, ■arranging the draw was left to'Messrs Vowles and Wylde. The first matches will be played on November 27, and will be continued weekly with the exception of Christmas and New rear’s Day. ASSOCIATION LADDER. Mr McClean moved that the associatic’n establish a ladder competition for the purpose of deciding the relative positions of players for iselection in representative matches. Seconded by Mr D. Pike and carried. Messrs Vowles, McClean, and Mahoney were deputed to arrange details. CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. Mr Vowles spoke in favou'r of a doubles ladder as a means of fostering interest in what w-as obviously the weak feature of the play on the Plains. Delegates pointed out that it would be very complicated to run, and the same end would probably be attained, by mqans of championship doubles, and this course was therefore agreed upon.