BADMINTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 May 1939, Page 8

BADMINTON

WAIRARAPA ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL REPORT. The fifth annual report of the Wairarapa Badminton Association to be presented at the annual meeting on Wednesday evening states that owing to the lack of suitable halls for playing purposes two clubs ceased activities. By the loss of the club’s concerned, Knox and Central, the number of clubs affiliated to the association has been reduced from 12 to 10, or a combined membership of 222, compared with 307 last year.

The following clubs, with memberships for the 1937 season shown in parentheses, are affiliated to the association:—St Matthews 22 (30); Regent 14 (20): Nomads 30 (21); Red Star 16 (26); Methodist 27 (32); Masterton 31 (30); Martinborough 25 (34); Knox — (20); Defence 20 (26); Featherston 20 (20) Central — (27); Carterton 17 (21)

Inter-club competitions both A and B grades were played during the season, the standard being particularly high. Masterton cluh was again ' successful in the A grade, while- St Matthew’s played consistently to win the B grade. / The association’s fourth -annual tournament was held in Masterton from July 27—30. A total of 136 entries were received for the thirteen events as against 172 last year. Successful competitors at the- tournament were:—Championships, men’s singles: P. Hawksworth; men’s doubles, Messrs J. J. Payton and J. Lulham; ladies’ singles, .Miss N, Fleming; ladies’ doubles, Mrs P. Hawksworth and Miss N. Fleming; combined doubles, J. J. Payton and Miss B. Payton. Handicap events, men’s singles, P. Martin; ladies’ singles, Miss B. Payton; men’s doubles, Messrs P. Martin and G; Simpson; ladies’ doubles, Misses B. and N-. Payton; combined doubles, D. Young and Miss N. Payton. B grade: men’s doubles, Messrs H. Volheim and Greig; ladies’ doubles, Misses N. Yates and Richards; combined doubles, C. Newland and Miss U. Holtham.

The visiting Australian team played a Wairarapa representative team at the Regent Theatre, the Australians winning by seven matches to one. The games were of a high standard, and resulted in the raising of the inter-club' standard. The lack of support by clubs generally is deplored. Inter-association matches were played during the season, the A grade representatives being defeated by Wellington 19 matches to 5; The A team also played in the annual Ihter-association tournament at Palmerston North, the team finishing-, inthird place. The B 'representatives played a match 1 against Manawatu, being successful in winning by 20 matches to 4. The following- players represented the association during -the year:—A representatives: Mrs P. Hawksworth, Misses N. Dixon, N. Payton, P. Kilmister, B. Pay ton and N. Ward. Messrs P. Hawksworth, J. Payton, J. Lulham, P. Martin, H. M. O’Connor, O. Grant. B representatives: Misses N: Cohen, M. Bell, N. Dixon, Mitchell, M. Ward, N. Rishworth. Messrs L. Wilson, A. Stubbings, N-. Wenham, A. Handyside, G. McCullough, and F. D. Walker.

The general financial position remains satisfactory. Our congratulations are due to P; Hawksworth and? Mrs- Hawksworth on their successes inthe New Zealand’ Championships. Fori one more season the game was handicapped by the lack of suitable halls. Representations have been made by your committee to the Government through the local member, Mr J. Robertson, and through the New Zealand: Badminton Federation for assistance towards obtaining' at least one suitablehall but so far without success. We’ wish to thank- our honorary auditor, Mr N. H. James, Mr Rogers- of- the Defence Department; the Press-, and allothers Who have assisted' the - association during the-year.

The report is'signed'-by the-president; Mr Ji K. Logan, and th& secretary, Mr M. Jones.