Northern Club Opens A Promising Season

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7285, 12 October 1933, Page 5

Northern Club Opens A Promising Season

©BOUNDS IN SPLENDID CONDITION Visitors were present from Bulls, Oroua, Feilding, Woodville, Foxton, Terrace End, Palmerston North, Tafcaro and Manawatu Clubs yesterday for the official opening of the Northern Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club, •which was performed in splendid weather before a large attendance of the public. The grounds, decorated with bunting for the occasion, appeared to be in perfect condition and the various games found a largo number of supporters throughout the afternoon. It was noticeable that the club had been busy during the spell between seasons, in bringing the grounds up to the best state possible, whilo numerous improvements had been carried out. In his opening remarks the president «f the club, Mr J. C. Young, extended a hearty welcome to the large gathering in attendance and apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., who was a life member and has been closely identified with the club throughout its history. Opening day, said Mr Young, had been awaited with expectancy and interest for all, and members looked forward to the more cheerful outlook with the advent of spring. There was no depression in Nature, and with human nature the outlook was for beautiful days such as the one prevailing. Club members anticipated renewing friendships and taking part in the games they liked. It would be noticed that, since last year, extensive alterations and improvements had been carried out on the club’s property, and tho present was a fiit opportunity to express appreciation for the state of the grounds and the beautiful picture they presented. Credit was due in this regard to tho caretaker (Mr G. Lynch), the .committee, and the supervising committee (Mr McKee and Mesdames Simpson and Muggeridge), said the president in conclusion, introducing Mr G. Tremaine, chairman of the City Council reserves committee. Mr Tremaine, after apologising for tho absence of the Mayor (Mr A. E. Hansford), said that Palmerston North was fortunate in the fine reserves it possessed. Thoso greens, ho added, which had the City Council as its landlord, were fortunate, for all that could.be done to assist, was carried out. He did not wish to make any comparisons, hut would say that the surroundings of the Northern Club were pleasant, and the playing ■ areas in fine condition. It was with the greatest pleasure that he declared the 1933-34 season officially opened. Mrs J. C. Young then sent down the first bowl, Mrs H. Brown hit tho first ■croquet ball, and Miss M. Nathan (Sports queen) • drove the first tennis ball across the net. Scores in the howling games were as follow: Manawatu - Robertson, Jackson, Kennedy, King (s.), 21, beat Northern —.'Woods, Meredith, Lynch, Wort (s.), 17. Pending—Duncan, Downer, Nesbit, Allen '(*.), 37, beat Foxton—Scadden, Ross, Newth, Huntley (s.), 13. Takaro—Durham, Batson, Ball, Boviis (s.), 21, drew with Levin Mackay, Clements, Bull, Cameroa (s.), 2L J Northern Andrew, Stablelord, Stephenson, Robinson (s.), 25, beat Northern —Hanson, Reed, Stiles, Bennett (s.), 16. . Third—Collier, Boucher, Dixon, O’Shea (s.), 21, beat Northern—Johnson, Parsons, Eliott, Rabone (s.), 15. Northern Macpherson, Penny, Stuart, Ross (s.), 25, beat Woodville— Young, Duke, Hendersen, Rawson (s.), 21. , r .. Palmerston North Mouidey, Schioler, Tremaine, Arnott (s.), 23, beat Northern—Binns, W. Stallard, Hodder, Corbridge (s.), 16. Northern —Wimsett, Lynch, Kirk, Larcomb (s.), 21, beat Oroua—Oakley, Buck-man, Petrie, Mason (s.), 20. WEST END CLUB SEASON OPENED WITH FRIENDLY GAMES ‘ The West End Tennis Club opened its season yesterday under auspicious circumstances. The courts wero in first-class order and the weather was all that could be desired. In the absence of the patron (Mr G. •Tremaine) and president (Mr Paterson), the honour of declaring .the courts open for the season fell to Mr A. Penketh (vice-president), who interested everybody by a brief reference to the •history of tennis. He said he had learnt that tennis was a royal game m 1120 A.D., and that Louis X. of France died from a chill caught while at play. Charles V. of France had issued an injunction forbidding the lower classes .from playing tennis, and in 124 a A.D. the order was extended to include priests. In 1427 a lady named Margot developed the back-hand stroke. Henry VII. was also a keen player and extended the privilege to tho public, while Henry VIII. laid down a tennis area at Hampton Court. Mr Penketh concluded by wishing the club a successful year, after which Mrs Penketh sent over the first ball. Mr M. Smith, club captain, moved a vote of thanks to Mr Penketh. . Mesdames Connop and Beattie, of the ladies’ committee, presided at the afternoon tea. The West End School children arc allowed to play on. the courts under the supervision of a teacher, any ay of the week. The courts, which arc nicely laid out amidst surroundings that will become more picturesque each year, are an undoubted asset to t. e suburb.