LAWN TENNIS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5182, 23 September 1927, Page 2

LAWN TENNIS.

THAMES VALLEY ASSOCIATION. FORMATION AND RULES ADOPTED. The inaugural meeting of the Thames Valley Lawn Tennis Association was Held at Paeroa on Wednesday night, the following delegates being present: Messrs S. J. Hedge, A. P. Grant, H. R. Thorp, D. G. McMillan (Paeroa) ; Dr. W. R. Lawrence and Messrs H. A. Bradley, L. C. Mackay, A. L. Vickers (Te; Aroha) ; Dr. Gray, Messrs S. Danby, C. J. Garland, S. Miller (Thames) ; A. R. Morrison and G. S. Fisher (Netherton) ; and V. Young and H. Morrison (Hikutaia). Mr Hedge was elected chairman for the meeting, and in his; opening remarks extended a welcome to the delegates. He explained that judging by the atteindance it was evident that there was a keen desire to form an association, and it was gratifying to receive advice that the N.Z. Lawn Tennis Association had accepted the. Thames- Valley Association. The first business before the meeting would be consideration of the constitution and rules. He: moved that the meeting go into committee for that purpose-. A set of draft rules, culled from other associations, was considered at length, and with minor additions and deletions .was finally adopted. HEADQUARTERS. Some, discussion ensued as to where the headquarters of the association should be situated. It was moved by Dr. Gray and seconded by Mr Garland, that this season’s headquarters be at Te Aroha. Dr. Lawre-nce moved as; an amendment that the ; headquarters be at Paeroa, but the amendment lapsed for want of a seconder, and the resolution was carried. AFFILIATED CLUBS. It was decided to accept the Te Aroha, Thames, Paeroa, and Hikutaia clubs, with a presejnt total membership of 324, into the association, with a proviso that the secretary write to Netherton, Hauraki Plains, Waihi, and Coromandel inviting such clubs to link up. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows :— Patron; Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P. ; president, Dr. Lawrence, Te Aroha; vice-presidents, Messrs S. J. Hedge (Paeroa), J. Lange (Thames), L. C. Mackay (Te- Aroha), V. Young (Hikutaia) ; secretary-treasurer, Mr A. L. Vickers (Te Aroha),; auditor, Mr G. Hathaway (Te Aroha) ; management committee, Messrs: C. J. Garland (Thames),’ D. G. McMillan (Paeroa), H. A. Bradley (Te Aroha), and H. Morrison (Hikutaia). It was decided that the office of the association for the time being should be with the secretary. The election of delegates to the N.Z. Lawn Tennis Association was left in the hands of th e . committee. TOURNAMENT ARRANGEMENTS. A long discussion ensued on the question of arranging a tournament for this season. It was considered by Dr. Gray that the association should not step too high in the first season of its existence. The holding of an open tournament was a big responsibility, even though suitable dates might be approved of by the parent body. In his opinion it would be- far better to hold an .association tournament.

It was finally resolved that the secretary write- to the parent body explaining that as the .association was only newly formed, it be given every consideration in the’matter of dates. In the event of a favourable reply being received the association’s tournament be held at Paeroa, and that arrangements be left in the hands of the committee. INTER-CLUB MATCHES.

An offer was made by Dr. Lawrence to donate a silver cup for interclub competition, the cup to be held by the champion club for the season. In thanking the donor for his generous offer Dr. Gray said that the generosity of Dr. Lawrence where sport was concerned was well known over a wide- area.. His offer that night was typical of him, and the cup would go a long way towards- encouraging team and club competition.

The offer was accepted with applause.

A lengthy discussion followed as to the form the competition for the trophy should take-. It was suggested that honie and home, matches, should be played, so that each club would have the opportunity of meeting twice during the season

Mr McMillan thought that home and home matches were too cumbersome-, and took up too much time. He, was strongly in favour of a knock-out competition, especially as there was a prospect of six or eight clubs entering the competition. It was suggested by Mr Grant that it should be a challenge competition, qach club to have the right to challenge once, with the exception of the club holding the cup at the beginning of the season being granted the right to challenge, again at the qnd of the season. Mr Garland said he thought, t.hat •home and home matches would provide ample competition and could be worked satisfactorily during the ensuing season.

It was finally resolved, on the motion of Dr. Gray, that it be; a recommendation t,o the committee that so long as there were only the four clubs home and home matches be played, and that the competition be revised later by the committee. APPRECIATION OF SERVICES. In eulogising the services rendered by Mr Vickers, Dr. Gray said that it was patent to everyone that Mr Vickers had been mainly instrumental in bringing about the formation of the association. He had given generously of his time and had devoted considerable work and thought during the preliminary stages. He moved that the association record its sincere thanks and appreciation, of Mr Vickers’ efforts. The resolution was carried with acclamation.

In acknowledging the tribute Mr Vickers said that it, had giveh him pleasure to do what he had done for

the good of the game. It was gratifying to know that an association had been formed and affiliation accepted by the parent body. This concluded the business, and a brief committee; meeting wasi then held. PAEROA CLUB’S AFFAIRS. MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The first committee meeting of the year of the Paeroa Lawn Tennis Club was held on Tuesday night, the president, Mr S. J. Hedge, presiding. After a lengthy discussion on tlm entrance fee and subscription to be charged this season it was decided that the entrance; fqe be held in abeyance for one season, but that the annual subscription be increased ly, and that all levies; be abolished. It was stated that the courts were, in an excellent condition, due to the industry of some of the men members in keeping the turf mown regularly during the wintejr months. As a result of the forward condition of the lawns it was, anticipated that the official opening of the courts would be held on Saturday, October 22.