THE PARK TENNIS CLUB

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 70, 1 July 1910, Page 5

THE PARK TENNIS CLUB

SUCCESSFUL INAUGURATION. There was a splendid response last night to the announcement of a (public meeting for the purpose of forming a lawn tennis and croquet club to utilise that portion of the Recreation Grounds offered by the Pukekura Park Board fofr the purpose. About seventy ladies and gentlemen filled the Council Chambers at the hour fixed, and a start was made promptly to time, not 'a customary proceeding in meetings of this nature. The Mayor presided, and in oipening the proceedings, said this movement was one which had his very hearty support, as tending to encourage healthy 'outdoor recreation, beautify the town, improve a neglected portion of our beautiful park, and make New Plymouth a still more desirable place of residence. The report of the provisional committee set out the terms upon which the necessary land could be leased from the Pukekura Park Board, and stated that an effort would be maide to modify the conditions by deleting the clause which compelled the club to clear away the gorse and 'blackberry no\^,growing thickly on the road fronting the property, and obviating the necessity for i placing notice-boards which .practically invited the public-to enter the enclosure. Tenders had been received for the work of preparing five grass courts for grassing, -and.'would be dealt with bv the incoming' committee. A rough estimate pf receipts and expenditure for the first year was submitted as follows l : —Expenditure: Cost of laying courts, £BO j fencing, £37; building, £2O; caretaker, £3O; plant, £10; and sundry expenses, £10; total,, £195. Receipts: Member-, ship sixty ladies and sixty gentlemen members, £135; leaving an estimated deficit off £OO 05 the first year's working, This amount might be raised by members taking up £1 debentures bearing interest at, say, 5 per cent., redeemable as funds accumulate, and to be balloted for at each annual meeting. Except in unforeseen circumstances, expenditure after the first year should be very light, the caretaker's , salary being the biggest item. With expenses kept down to a minimum, and some assistance by way of, say, socials, the club should soon clear itself of all indebtedness to the debenture-holders. , The chairman said it was very evident thai the committee had 'been very much alive. » U.pon the motion of Messrs. Schnackenberg and Rudd, those present formed themselves into a club, and on the motion' of Messrs. F. C. Tribe and Mark it was named the Park Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. t

Officers were elected:. —President, Mr,\ R. Cock; vice-presidents, Messrs, G. Tisch, T. C. Schnackeriberg, and M. Rudd; trustees, the Vice-presidents; general committee, Messrs. F. W. Saridford, F. C. Tribe, T. €. List/H. J. Wells, and S. L. Mark; ladies' committee, Mesdames R." Cock, Cowling, F. C. Tribe, T. C. >Schnackenberg, and Misses E. Smith, T. Okey, and 'Hammond; troisurer, Mr. A. T. Moore; auditor, Mr. J, W.' Tatuit; secretary, Mr. J. J. Staples. Membership fees were fixed at 35s for men and 20s for ladies, reducible to 30s and 15s respectively for payment before August 31st of this year. Amendments for the purpose of fixing a lower rate for junior members were defeated. It was decided to register the club and to affiliate with the Lawn Tennis Association. The ladies' committee was empowered, to select club colors, and the committee will submit draft rules to a future meeting. Some discussion took place regarding the financing of the. club, and the committee will make a recommendation to the next general meeting. The secretary announced that 54 men and 48 ladv members had joined the club, and that several more had practically promised to join. Mr" Tisch was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for presiding and-for his promise of support. At a subsequent meeting of the combined committees the tender of. A. J. Cole was accepted for • preparing the lav.ns, and the secretary was instructed to obtain estimates of cost of fencing.