LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13015, 4 November 1905, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

The whole of the Auckland clubs nad intended opening the season this afternoon, but the wet weather has made the lawns so soft that all clubs except Auckland, have postponed their formal openings. VJest bad and Dovonport have decided for Thursday next,' the 9th inst; Eden and Epsom star. operations on Wednesday, the Bth and Parhell wait until Saturday, the 11th. ll>e Auckland opening to-day will bo in conjunction with the Bowling ] Club s function, tho tennis players being- the guests of the uowlers:- ■-'..' '■ '_.""- -''.'" , _ .. The Devonport Lawn Tennis and-Croquet-Club open their lawns for play (weather permitting) on Thursday next; Number 9. The committee and members of the duo have worked energetically to get the lawns into splendid condition, and a highly successful season is anticipated.; The member., ship of thai club is larger this year than it has ever' been before, and -among the new.members I are several promising, players; while the club has lost practically none ot, its leading- players of last year. Much permanent work has been done on the ground during » the < past month, and the club has been'fortunate in securing an extra olltt ot land from the recreation ground adjoining. This gives room for the formation ot two extra courts when the membership increases sufficiently to justify this being none It has Ix>eu decided to erect a new and handsome pavilion with all up-to-date arrange-, ments in front of the present one. ibis building, -which-will cost close on£7o, should, be ready about Christmas. These improve-: ments, together with the renewed interest shown by the followers of the game m the marine suburb, should go far to make tno season one of the most successful the club has ever experienced. The committee tender a heartv invitation to all friends for tho opening of the lawns on the 9th. " The majority of the Auckland clubs propose opening- for the season this afternoon, but it is liardlv probable that much, play will be indulged in, as the courts are still somewhat -soft owing to the .heavy rams during the early part of the week. - , A few local.players have kept up their practice on the asphalt during the winter, but the majority have taken a clear rest. \ll lovers of the game are sure, however, to turn out at the first chance with renewed energy, eager to feel the turf beneath Uieu feet 'again. .'■■ . , . ' ~, ' Tennis playsrs will note with regret the. death of Mr. Richard Udy. Toe members of. the Eden and.Epsom Club will especially lament his loss, he having been a staunch friend and supporter of the club tor many years. Up to a year or so before his death he took a keen interest in matters in connection with tho club. The opening .of the club's courts has been postponed until Wednesday, Bth inst., out of respect to the memory of an old friend. ' • The nrice of the tennis hand-book published -Udder the auspices ..of the New Zealand Association has been reduced o Is. This figure should ensure a ready sale for the publication, which is well got up and contains a fund of information for players. Secretaries of the various clubs have a supply on hand.: „ • _ f Players will be pleased to know that .Mr. Jackson, of Prince Albert College,, lias recovered from his serious illness. ' Being, however, still in a delicate state of health it is doubtful if he will appear on the courts this season. The Auckland CJub will keenly feel the loss of his services in inter-club matches, and miss his presence on their lawns. , ... , , , .i H. R. Cooke is, it is understood, throwing in his lot with the North Shore Club this season. His experience should lie of service to the suburban players, and coupled with one of Devonport'* best in the in-ter-club matches he should score a few points before the season closes..