PAEROA TENNIS CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5179, 16 September 1927, Page 2

PAEROA TENNIS CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING.

A SEASON OF PROGRESS.

The annual meeting of the Paeroa Lawn Tennis- Club was held at the Gaiety Theatre last night. In the unavoidable absence of the president (Mr R. B. P&nlington) Mr R. L. Miller (vice-president) presided over a large attendance of In opening the meeting the chairman thanked the members for-attend-ing and considered that the enthusiasm shown augured well for the forthcoming season. A special tribute was due to the ladies for their untiring work in providing for the amenities of tha game. It had been ratner a pity to discontinue the small regular dances, through the winter months, as the functions had been a good source of revenue to the club and also promoted the social sida A word of appreciation was due to the club captain, Mr H. Thorp, for the splendid work he had done in maintaining the courts in good playing conditions, as well as promoting the game in many other ways. ANNUAL REPORT. The following report for the year e.nded August 31, 1927, was read as follows :— “Financial. —As the balance-sheet discloses, the financial position is practically the same as that submitted at the last annual meeting, the mortgage on the property being still £l2o', and the overdraft £163 4s< as opposed to £155 7s last year. Against this must be set the fact that the annual dance last year occurred just prior to the annual meeting, and thus the receipts, were included in last year’s accounts and the expenditure in this year’s. Allowing for this, it is estimated that the club is £l6 better off for the year’s work.

“Membership.—The membership of the club consisted of 38 senior members (including 4 life members), 3 non-playing members, and 19 junior members —a total of 60 members, being a reduction of four on last year s figures. Eleven new members were elected and 15 resigned. It is worthy of note that no subscriptions are outstanding, though the 5s fine for late payment was inflicted in nine cases. “Matches. —Six senior matches were played during the year, and of these four were lost (two versus Thames and one each versus Morrinsville and Te Aroha) and two were won (versus Te Aroha and Morrinstville). The B team also played and won three matches. One handicap tournament and one Yankee tournament were played and proved very successful. “Maintenance. — For the greater part of last season a man was employed to mow the lawns and mark out the courts, and aq a result they were kept in fairly good order. During the winter all the grass has been kept mown once a week by the men members of the club, and the result of this regular mowing may be seen in the present fine state of the turf. The toiler has also been in use, but more rolling would be beneficial. Your Green Committee wishes to suggest that a groundsman be employed as from October 1,, thus enabling the committee to give more time to other things which require attention. “Thames Valley Association. —The Thames .Valley Lawn /Tennis, Association has been brought into being during the past year and affiliation with the N.Z. Lawn Tennis Association has been granted. The annual general meeting of delegates will be held on Wednesday next, and this meeting will be called upon to elect four delegates to this meeting. It is- intended that through the above association a definite programme of inter-club matches will be arranged, and also that it will be possible to hold annual tournaments in the district. “Concrete Court.—The matter of laying down No. 7 court in concrete for winter play has been investigated by the committee, but as over £l6O, including cost of labour, will be involved, and the present indebtedness of the club is over £2BO, the committee is of the opinion that although the court would increase the playing strength of the club, it would not be prudent to incur the increased liability at this juncture. “Social. —The social activities of the club have been allowed to, wane to an alarming extent. During the year only one small dance was held, and this was very poorly attended by club members. It is hoped that an energetic and zealous social committee will be formed which will re? institute the series of small dances that used to be so successful and, incidentally, remunerative. •It is intended to hold a social and dance in the Gaiety Theatre on October 6, and it is earnestly hoped that all members will combine to make this a great success. The club is not insolvent by any means, but at the. present rate of membership it will be many years before we are free of debt.

“Concluding, your committee wishes to thank all who gave ready assistance during the year. Unfortunately, too great a number of members are ’very lacking in enthusiasm, and thus throw most of the required work on to the willing few. To the incoming executive we confidently hand over the club’s affairs and wish them increased success during the coming year.”

In moving the adoption of the annual report Mr H. Thorp said that a satisfactory season had been enjoyed, and with the inclusion of several new members an even better season should prevail this year. He paid a tribute to the good work done by the secretary during the season. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the ensuing season resulted as follows-: — Patron, Mr W. Marshall; president, Mr S. J. Hedge ; vice-president, Mr R. L. Miller; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. P. Grant; club captain, Mr H. Thorp ; auditor, Mr W. L. Lawrence; general committee, Misses A. Argali, V, Shand, J. F. Ellis-, Messrs A. A. Ruston, M. Poland, A. F. Thorp, D. G. McMillan, A. F. Steedman; delegates to Thames Valley Lawn Tennis Association, the president, captain) secretary, and Mr D. G. McMillan.