Lawn Tennis,

IBy "Huka."> The Wellington association's new officers, Messrs Jones (hon. secretary) and Weir (hon. treasurer^ are real out-and-out grafters for the sport, and already have everything ship-shape for the season. It will not be their fault if it does not t prove for tennis players and the sport the most beneficial on record. The Management Committee, with such ! a capable chairman as Mr. R. St. 3. Beere, will be an energetic working body, and no doubfc will back up the secretary and treasurer in their endeavours to foster the sport. When delsgates allow themselves to be put on management committees it is a clear sign that they are looking for work, and are willing to give up some of their spare time to encourage the sport. Should anyone be inclined to think that [ it is a post of honour, or a position in I which solely to practice debating powers, or, perhaps, just a society in which amusement can be found, and a few dull hours passed over, then he should be awakened with a shock— any kind of shock will do, but it should be a violent one. These few remarks are not intended for anybody in particular, but can apply to committees generally in or out of Wellington. The Wellington association's committee has now revised its shield rules for inter-club contests. Few holes can be picked in the work, although, of course, it is impossible to please everyone. The sub-association question has also received attention, and a set of rules submitted to the council. The hon. secretary, by the way, grasped the situation firmly, and was prepared with a list of probable sub-associations and the likely clubs of same. Delegates generally must already feel satisfied with that young officer's work, and he deserves congratulations on his forethought and energy. Already the little bird nas been singing his song as to what clubs will enter teams for the senior, championship. The first few notes were pleasant and familiar to the ear, and ere long every one had grasped the significance of the refrain — "Thorndon has entered a team." The news is welcome, and the contest this season should be a real good one. Wellington, Newtown, Brougham Hill, and Victoria College, will also be represented, and with five teams fairly woll matched good aport should bo the result. One is inclined to ask how the teams will be composed, so perhaps the twittering of the birds I can again be taken advantage of. The j Thorndon Club can put a first-class team | in the field, chosen from the .following players : — Misses Nunneley,. Batham, Jackson, and Mrs. Holmes, and Messrs. Peacock, Smythe, JToung, Didsbury, Sloman, and possibly H. M. Gore. Then Wellington should be well to the front with such players as Messrs. Fisher, Wilson, Brown, Salmond, Cooko, Fernie, and Fraser. The ladies are, of course, very good. They are Mrs. Hickson, Misses Ward, Travers, and Williams. Brougham Hill may have the services of Messrs Swanston, Laishley, Quinnell, Hunter, Lindsay, Watkins, and Howe, and Mesdames Goldie, Lindsay, Bell, and Howe, and Miss Morgan. Victoria College should be able to show a good front, and wiil probably be represented by the following players : — Messrs. G. Prouse, F. P. Wilson, Beere, Weir, Anderson, and O. Prouse. The laclies appear to be about the same as last . year, namely :—: — Misses Van Staveren, Roberts, Scott, Macintosh, and Cox. Newtown may not be quite so good as last year, but every effort will be made to strengthen the team, which will possibly be picked from the following :— Messrs Redward, Nagle, Lowe, Lewis, Sheppard, and Grady, and Mesdames Nagle, Grady, and Lowe, and Misses Robertson and Clark. The above will show that the dontests 'between the clubs should be /airly opein, and although there may >£c a few changes, as there, are bound /to be one or two players sparring for singles, it is hardly likely that any material alterations will take place. Brougham Hill has notices up with reference to its club handicap events, and players are entering well. The management intends to run the events off smartly, and players not ready to play when called upon will lose their chance ,by being scratched. The Karori and Hutt clubs have opened the season, and both promise to have a busy time. A strong club is being formed at Apiti. Several asphalt courts are to bo laid down, and Mr. Helat, the enthusiastic president, hopes to secure over fifty members as soon as the courts are .availa-ble for play. The club will probably affiliate with the Wellington Association. A very stubborn contest took place oil the Canterbury Club's courts in the semifinal for the club championship between Ollivier and Quill. The latter led oil with the (first set at 6—4, but the younger player evened by annexing the I next at 6-^-3. Quill took the third at 6—2,6 — 2, and when " 4 love " in the fourth Rooked all over a winner, but Ollivier came with a determined effort, evened I the score, and captured the set at 7—5.7 — 5. I With two sets all, the final was entered upon with both players confident and eager. The glay a!) round was good, and right up to the finish* exciting. It was level going at " 5 all," first one and then ] the other having the advantage. Ollivier lasted just long enough to enable him to win at 9—7, he thus' taking set and match by three sets to two, the score in games being 28 to 27. Bonningtou> gave Goss a great shake up in the bther 'half of the draw, and a victory was proclaimed for him when, with two sets to one in, he led 4—l4 — 1 in the fourth eet. He took the first set at 6—l, had to admit defeat in the second at 9 7, but walked away with the third at 6—3. Goss is well known for his stubborn play. When Bonnington led 4—l4 — 1 it looked all over, but his opponent had his measure, and slowly but surely wore him down, and took the set at B—6, and then captured the fifth and deciding set easily by 6—2.6 — 2. The- games were even — 27 all. The final between Ollivier and Goss will be an interesting battle. The former should win, but the generalship of the latter may pull him through. Ihe Wellington Association's handicap tournament programme has' been approved by the governing body, and the contests will be held at the Day's Bay courts in January. Besides the usual five handicap events, there are two i events for girls and boys attending the Public schools. Good trophies are offered, and the management of the meeting is in capable hands. TENNIS ABROAD. Miss Black, who competed in tho 1894 Jsew Zealand championships held at Ghrujtchureh, has- been playing at several tournaments in Ireland this year. Out of «m entry of 20 players for the championship of East of Ireland, held at Kingstown, Miss Black reached the semi-final, only to be defeated by Miss Hollins. - L. 0. S. Poidevin, the New South Wales player, won the Dawlish championship (22 entries) very easily, but, with Riseley, went down in the final of the doubles to Brutton and Yule, 6—4, I—6, 6—3.6 — 3. He also won the championship of Teignmouth, beating Michelmore in the final, 6—B, 7—5, 6—4, and with Prebble took the doubles from Michelmore and Tabot, 6—3, 7—5.

M. T. Gf. Ritchie won the championship of Germany, his only ha-rd battle being m the fifth round against Trasenter, the score being 5—6,5 — 6, 6—l, 6—2.6 — 2. 0. Froitzheim, the bolder, scratched, owing to the death of his father. Ritchie also won the championship of Hamburg ,and, as it) was his third win. in. sucoession, he took outright the- handsome cup valued at £100. G. Logic, a young Scotchman, was the surprise- of both events, and fought out both finals with Ritchie. Th« Romburg tournament fol-> lows closely upon the German championship, and Hamburg championship, and as Wdlding intended to compete at the Homburg meeting, the result of the singles will be interesting. H. L. Doherty competed at the Scarborough tournament, and won the York- : shire championship easily, beating Eave» in the iourth round 6—2,6 — 2, 6—2 ; Hunt in the semi-final, 6—l,6 — 1, 6—o,6 — 0, and Hillyard in the final, 6—l 6—4, 6—2. H. L. and R. F. won the doubles with the greatest ease beating Charlton and Crawley 6—2,.6 — 2, . 6-44, ;6 — 2, in the final. In. the combined, H. L. Doherty and Mrs. Lamp- i uough (nee Miss Eastlake Smith), beat 1 R. F. Doherty and Mrs. Winch in the* final, 6—4,6 — 4, 12 — 10. Miss Boucher, a player of great promise, who has not taken part in many tournaments until lately, won the ladies championship, beating the holder, Mrs. Lamplougn, easily an the final 6—l,6 — 1, 6—l;6 — 1 ; and in the doubles, with Miss Garfit, defeated Mrs. Lamplough and Miss B. Holder 7—6,7 — 6, 4—6, 2—o (retired). The return to active tennis of the Doherty brothers was a. most interesting feature, and each was " playing the game of his life." H. L., in particular, played as well as ever he did, and when he polished off Richardson, the South. African player, 6—4, 6—l,6 — 1, the large and fashionable crowd rose with, excitement at his brilliant play.