LAWN TENNIS

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 60, 22 July 1938, Page 2

LAWN TENNIS

; OPOTIKI PROSPECTS , : -■ ,/• ■- t '. ; V CLUB’S ANNUAL MEETING ' •\ BAD FINANCIAL POSITION * There was a fair attendance off members and prospective members at the annual meeting of the Opotiki Lawn Tennis Chib, which was held in St. John’s Hall last night. In the absence of the president. Air E. C. East, the chair was taken by the secretary, Air J. Henry. The minutes of . the previous annual meeting were read by the secretary and 'confirmed.

The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted as read. The assets of the club were shown as £226 14s 3d. The balance' of assets over liabilities was stated, to be £lB5. At the request of a member the chairman made a comparison of the figures of the last two years'. This showed a bjg falling off in membership fees, and considerly increased maintenance expenditure. The chairman said the club had reached a crisis and a decision would have to be made one way or the other. Election of Officers. The election, of officers resulted as follows : President, Air G. B. Murray (subject to acceptance). Secretary-treasurer, Air Armstrong. Alanagement committee, Alisses is. Davies, P. Shaw; AJjessrs P. Fox, FI Thompson, J. Henry. G. AY- Button, J. Harriman. Hon. auditor, Air H. G. Reeves. — It was decided to write and thank Messrs Reeves and T. Braae for their services to the club. Subscriptions.—lt was decided that subscription.? be the same as last year. Entrance fees were also fixed on a similar basis. ' _ Competition Levy.—The question of a competition levy was left in the hands of the incoming committee. Bank Authority.—The president and treasurer were autherised to operate on the club’s bank account. Inter-Club Competitions. —Left in the hands of the incoming committee. Clul) Captain. —\\ discussion arose as to whether there should be a club captain, it being pointed out that most other clubs had club captains. It was finally decided to leave the matter in the hands of the incoming committee.

Air D. Debreceny moved that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee that a ground steward or ground committee be appointed to look after the courts. General. Courts. —The cpiestic.ii of the provision (>t hard courts came up for general discussion. It was stated that hard courts were essential if the. club were to show progress and instances of greatly increased membership were given of other clubs which had adopted hard courts. The chairman said that quotations had been secured from four firms. It would cost over £4OO to- put down six imrd courts. It was purely a matter of finance. They had tried to secure the necessary assistance but found it impossile to raise the money. Aliss Burrett- suggested that the number of courts in use under existing conditions he reduced, to cut down upkeep. The chairman, expressed doubt as to whether there would be any saving in labour. Air Button pointed out the advantages of hard courts and cited other clubs where he had taken an activepart and had prospered when this type of court was put down.

ANNUAL REPORT The report of the retiring president, Al:r E. C. East, was read as follows : (Your committee has pleasure in presenting its report for the 193738 season. • It is regretted that the season was not nearly as successful from a playing or financial point of view as the previous two seasons’. There was a serious drop in membership and there was not tbe usual enthusiasm’among the players. A Finance: The treasurer’s report shows that the hank overdraft has increased very considerably during the financial year and this is a matter for concern. A large increase in membership is required to enable the dub to carry on on a. payable basis. Grounds.—A fair amount was spent on maintenance i\ntl the. courts were kept in ’'order.' considering that very little repair work has been

done in recent years. __lf cliib i/s to continue, the inconii% : coinmtttee: •will have to consider the. question of re-laying down of the ‘.courts. the,’ matter of changing ft||r to courts was considered by the ■ committee, but it was found cost would be prohibitive. " .* ; ilatches.—The club entered : two teams for the AVatt Cup competition, and the “A” team won its zone but was defeated by Waimana, “A” in th.e semi-final inter-zone. Difficulty was experienced in fielding teams and the match committee reported that the attitude of players was not encouraging. *No club championships were held as it was felt that the matched' would not be. completed in time. ' ; < Social.—Tennis was not successful from the social point of view and there were very few of the happy- Saturday afternoons with a- large attendance such as we experienced during tho previous season. .a Prospects .—The question of carrying on the club will be discussed at the meeting, and the committee, feels that much more support from members will be needed if it is il,lp to revive the club. ..Tt jyill be a great pity if the club has to -go out of existence through lack of support when clubs in other -towns steadily going ahead since we have enjoyed more prosperous -times. The committee hcp.es that some means will be found of enabling the club to gain increased membership and that the incoming committee will comprise, active workers who will receive the whole-hearted support of membm-s^ Miss N. Davies moved that' the incoming committee go into tile matter of hard courts as soon as possible. Seconded by Mr Thompson and carried. A vote of, thanks was accorded the retiring secretary-treasurer for his services: A vote of thanks to -the chair concluded the meeting.