HAURAKI PLAINS TENNIS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5198, 2 November 1927, Page 1

HAURAKI PLAINS TENNIS

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION; f The Hauraki Plains Tennis Association held its annual meeting at Ngatea on Friday last Mr A- H. McClean (vice-president)? residing over Messrs Averill (Turua), E. A. Mahoney (Ngatea), J. Nicholson, junr. (Kerepeehi), W. Mclnnis (Kaihere), J. B, McMillan (Kopuarahi), D. Pike (Patetonga), and A. R. Vowles (Hopai), secretary. ANNUAL REPORT. The fifth annual report recorded that the past seasoh had been most successful though strenuous. The number of affiliated clubs remained at 9, with a total membership of approximately 220. The various competitions were again keenly contested, the standard of play being quite up to the average. A feature of the competitions was the excellent showing made by quite a number of the younger players of both sexes. Results were as follows :

“A” grade, Hayward Shield, was won by Turua. It was regrettable to record that no games were played for the Howell Williams Memorial Shield, through no fault of the holders, the length of the season & pro gramme making it very difficult, to find the necessary Saturdays for these matches. The handicap tournament showed a reduction of 12 entries over those pf the previous year, being 89. Results were as follows: Ladies Singles, Mrs F. Clotworthy (Turua); ladies doubles, Mrs O Cairoll and Miss Green ; men’s singles, Mr W. E. Murphy ; men’s> doubles, Messrs Coppins Bros. , The Championship competitions drew 43 entries and provided some fine contests, especially in the doubles, a much improved standard of play in this branch of the game being indicated. Results- were as follows: Ladies’ Singles, M>ss Duffy (Patetonga) ; ladies’ doubles, Misses Duffy and Benny (Patetonga); men’s singles, Mr W. E. Murphy (Hopai); men’s doubles, Messrs. G. L. Griffiths and D. Molesworth (Waitakaruru). The annual match against the Thames Methodist Club was played at Turua, and resulted in a win for the visitors. New ground was broken by the arrangement of a match with the Franklin Association’s representatives. This was played at, Ngatea and resulted in a substantial win for the Plains team. Subsequently a Plains B team played a return match at Tuakau and met with defeat,. The match with Auckland had to be abandoned this season, as the city competitions had been so delayed by wet weather that the Auckland Association found it impossible to get a team away. The annual Ball was one of tne most successful yet held, and the association was indebted to the Turua Club for the splendid manner in which it had organised the function. The report closed with a reference to the departure from the district of the late president of the association, Mr B. Frecklingtoon, whose period of office was marked by tireless and unselfish service in the interests of tennis throughout the district. The statement of accounts showed receipts totalling £65 4s 6d and ®xpenditure £B9 12s 6d. T h e balance carried forward was £l3 13s 6d. The main items were: Affiliation fees £l3 10s, tournament fees £25 3s, and annual ball, £9 17s sd; while the expenditure was £l9 9s for trophies , £2l 4s 9d for hire of courts and refreshments, etc., for tournaments and representative matches; and £6 Is for donations. OFFICERS. The following .officers were elected : President, Mr A. H. McClean; vicepresident, Mr E. A- Mahoney; secretary, Mr A. R. Vowles. The resignation of Mr B. Frecklington, latq president, was accepted with regret, and a resolution was adopted expressing the associatoin’s appreciation of the valuable services rendered in the interests of tennis ip the district. Mr A. R. Vowles w®-s accorded a vote of thanks for ihis.past services. THAMES VALLEY ASSOCIATION. tOn the motion of Mr Mahoney it was decided not to affiliate with the new Thames Vqlley Tennis Association. AUCKLAND MATCH. Following on the inability of the Auckland Association to send a team to Ngatea last season a definite promise had been received tfiat a visit would be made this season before Christmas. THE COMPETITIONS. It was, decided that the Laidlaw Cup competition be played as a knock-out competition, and that those teams knocked out be draym in an eliminating round for the Howell Williams Memorial Shield providing such clubs had issued challenges by Novembei 26. Challenges were to be sent to the secretary of the association, and those clubs outside t,he Plains- but eligible to play for the shield were to be advised of the altered conditions, in accordance with the wishes of the donor. The inter-club competitions will commence bn November 12. The draw was not made, as it was not known whether the, Kaihere and Mangawhero clubs desired to take part. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr E. A. Mahoney gave notice, of motion “That no expenses be paid by the association to travelling representative players.” The Rev. Averill gave notice of intention to move that tb<e Turua Club bq paid the sum of £3,. being £1 per court hired to the association for the Thames-Plains match last season.