LAWN TENNIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24402, 13 September 1940, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION mr a. McMillan elected PRESIDENT DIFFICULT YEAR PREDICTED The difficulties of the coming season and the duty of all to do everything possible to keep the game going strongly in Otago was stressed at the annual meeting of the Otago Lawn Tennis Association last night. Mr A'. McMillan presided in the absence of the president, Captain J. H, Fulton, who, is on active service in Egypt. Visit of Overseas Players Moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, Mr McMillan said that it was a matter for the greatest regret that they met, under the heavy cloud of war. After outlining the principal happenings of last season, Mr McMillan expressed the keen disappointment of southern players that the Australian team which appeared in the north did not come to Dunedin

After all arrangements had (jeetj made the visit fell through owing to some intrigue in the north; ■ It was very galling to the association to meet with so many rebuffs from'the national body in connection with the visit of overseas players. It was realised that such visits did a lot to help the game in the south and improve the standard. Such visits in the past had been completely successful, and the overseas players had enjoyed their stay-in Dunedin. It was not the fault of the association that the visit had fallen through. - . Mr McMillan referred to the excellent courts owned by the association, and to the foresight of its earlier members in securing the sites for a further 20 courts alongside .the present ones. He appealed to clubs to look to their finances and to new clubs to bear the financial aspect' in- mind .'in acquiring courts and properties, , ... . A Debt to Men Overseas l “The season ahead is going to be a difficult one,” Mr McMillan - said, "but we must 'carry on and take our tennis ■ seriously. We Aust do everything, we can to help in the war effort, but we should keep our game going, although the clubs will be without the services of so many young men. It is going to be a hard year, out I appeal to clubs to assist the association, for without an'association there could be no tennis. We owe it to the men oversea? to keep the game going strongly.” , . Mr S. N. Brown seconded the motion, which was carried. Referring- to the visits of overseas players, Mr S. Falconer said that one explanation of the trouble experienced by Otago was that the visitors did not like playing on hard courts. It wag a. pitv Otago did not have grass courts, and he thought something should be done to acquire exhibition grass courts as soon ,gs possible. It -w.as the duty, of the Cl tv Council to assist the association- to acquire grass courts so that .lawn-rtenpis could thi-ive in Otago. Election of Officers The following ■ office-bearers were elected: —President. Mr A. McMillan; vice-presidents —Messrs E. D. Duthie, T. Grims.dale, R. Phillipps. and A. T. Jensen: honorary solicitor. Mr J. 5. Sinclair; secretary and treasurer. Mr E S. Wilson: committee—Messrs E. Swete. W. Sherriif. E. G. G. H. Jolly S. Falconer. F. L. C. Scrivener. G L. Black, R. -A; Morrison, and A. Chisholm; auditors, Messrs J; = S. Mclnnes and Sons; honorary architect. Mr J. Muir. - War and Competitions A lengthy discussion took place on the best grade competitions to holdthis season under war conditions m view of the fact that so many men players were in the armed forces, it was finally decided that a mixed competition only be played in the_A‘ Grade and that the, Intermediate. B and C Grade competitions be the. same as last year if possible. It was also recommended that a B Grade women s competition be played if sufficient entries were received from clubs. General f It was decided that the official opening of the season should be to-morrow,; Congratulations were extended to Mr S. G. McDougall (North Otago) on his election as president of the New Zealand Association. ‘ /