NGATEA TENNIS CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5496, 4 November 1929, Page 2

NGATEA TENNIS CLUB.

OPENING OF SEASON.

MANY TROPHIES PRESENTED.

A large number of tennis players from all parts of the Hauraki Plains assembled at the courts of the Ngatea Club on Saturday last for the official opening of the season’s activities. The weather was good, and the courts and grounds presented an attractive appearance.

•' A welcome to the visitors was extended by the vice-president, Mr H. Dent, who expressed the hope that they would have such an enjoyable time that they would look forward to future visits. Speaking to members of the club, Mr Dent urged them to rally round their officers and endeavour to make the season a happy and prosperous one. There was no reason why tennis should not figure alongside other branches of sport and serve to make the name of Hauraki Plains and of Ngatea known far afield. It could be done if attempted in a true club spirit. On the subject of a proposed queen carnival on the Plains, organised by the Thames Borough Council, to assist to raise funds for Waiomio Park, on the Thames coast, Mr Dent said that while not wishing to pour cold water on the proposed method of raising the funds, he considered that it was rathei’ unreasonable for the Plains people to be called upon to bear the expense of a carnival such as that proposed. He mentioned that the time was surely ripe for the Plains to have a recreation ground of their own, and expressed the view that before they became ovei’ enthusiastic with outside recreation grounds they should endeavour to provide locally for the children and youth of the area. At the present time an application was before the Government for a subsidy to purchase a suitable site on the Plains for such purpose, and if this was granted the public would no doubt be called upon to assist in the. purchase. Mr Dent expressed the view that if the Thames folk were to arrange an attraction, such as a sports gathering, at Waiomio, he had no doubt that large numbers of people from the Plains would patronise it, and in that way materially assist in raising the money required. Mrs C. Bertelsen having driven a ball over a net, the courts were declared to be officially opened for the season.

Presentation of Trophies.

The opportunity was then taken to present the Hauraki Plains Tennis Association’s trophies which had been won during the past season. A table carrying three large silver cups and eleven miniature silver cups was brought forwai’d, and the presentations were made by Mr A. H. McClean, president of the association. The Laidlaw Cup, the A grade interclub competition trophy, which was donated some years ago by Mr R. A. Laidlaw, of Auckland, and which was won last season by the Ngatea Club after having been held for many years by the Turua Club, was handed over to Mr H. Dent.

The “Gazette” Cup, donated by the proprietors of the “Hauraki Plains Gazette,” together with a miniature, was presented to Mrs F. Speedy, of Ngatea, who, as a member of the Hopai Club, had won the ladies’ championship singles in the association’s tournament.

On behalf of his brother William, of the Hopai Club, Mr D. Murphy received the cup donated by Mr A. E. Ford, of Auckland, for annual competition in the men’s championship singles. With it also went a miniature from the association.

Small silver cups donated by the association were also presented to the following winners in last season’s tournament : Mrs Speedy and W. Murphy, of the Hopai Club, for combined handicap doubles ; Messrs E. and S. Coppins, of the Ngatea Club, for men’s championship doubles ; Miss D. Hunter, of Patetonga, for ladies’ handicap singles ; the Misses Duffy, of Patetonga, for ladies’ handicap doubles ; and Messrs L. Cotter and H. Hayward, of Ngatea, for men’s handicap doubles.