RADICAL CHANGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 304, 15 March 1928, Page 7

RADICAL CHANGE

PROVISION OF BALLS MAKERS’ NAME OMITTED INDIGNANT MANUFACTURERS The English Lawn Tennis Association has become embroiled in a heated controversy as a result of its efforts to secure cheaper balls. The association went about its effort in a peculiar way. Tenders were invited from the leading manufacturers, but the stipulation that no name should be printed on the ball caused all firms but one to refuse to tender. This firm was John Jacques, Ltd., whose tender was accepted, the price quoted being 15s a dozen. The association immediately offset its “no-name” stipulation by advertising the identity of the successful tenderers, and this so incensed the other manufacturers, notably Ayres Ltd., Slazengers and the Dunlop Rubber Co., that they united to attack the association’s policy, their attitude being supported by the “Field,” the most ul-tra-conservative of English newspapers. Several important advertisements were summarily withdrawn from “Lawn Tennis and Badminton,” the association’s official organ, and the result was its appearance with a blank space instead of the usual back-cover advertisement.

SUBURBAN REVIEW PAPAKURA’S CLOSE CALL The Papakura Tennis Club met Valley in the outer suburban competitions on Saturday,' and had the hardest match of the season. The matches read five all, but the honours of the day went to the former club by the narrow margin of 12 sets to 11. Papakura was unfortunate in losing the services of McDonald in the first set of the first singles match on account of his spraining his ankle. For tunately he and Gleeson had played and won their doubles, previous to the mishap. Valley women were too strong for the Papakura representatives, gaining the first and second singles, and the first doubles. This victory places Papakura in a fairly safe position for the A grade. It has still to meet Mangere Central, and although a good game should result, the honours should go to the southern team which has now won five out of six matches played, with Papatoetoe Mangere Central, and Clevedon filling second place with two losses each. In the B grade Papakura. easily accounted for Valley by 12 to 2, so continuing its unbeaten record, it has also to meet Mangere Central, and from previous exhibitions should account for that team, and so win the grade with an unbeaten record. Papatoetoe and Valley are filling the second place, with two losses each, so Papakura’s position is safe. Next Saturday, Papatoetoe meets Mangere Central to play the match previously postponed on account of the rain.