Laivn Tennis,

[Br Hue a.]

Tho news that the British team would net visit Australia this yenr has drawn murmurs of regret from tennis circles in New Zealand generally, but the hon. secretary of the New Zealand Association points out that tho news concerns Australasia's invitation, and that as the New Zealand Association's invitation was replied to favourably, some little time back, there is yet hope. At anyrate, a further letter was sent last mail to London, asking tho Homo authorities to favour New Zealand this year. Even though the Home body does not send a team, it is likely that some English players will be touring New Zealand about Christmas and it is hoped that they will compete at tho big meeting in Christchurcli. Miss Douglass, the lady champion at the last All-Jinglund meeting, will more than likely be in New Zealand towards the end ' of the year, and is spoken of a 9 likely to make more than a short stay in the colony: Replies have been received by tho New Zealand Association from several of the players selected for practice, re teams matches at Christmas. 'Messrs. Fisher, White, ICiver, and Cox have all expressed willingness to train in anticipation of selection. Fisher is already at work quietly. Miss Ward is the only lady to reply so far, and she intends to start practice shortly. Peacock, of Auckland, will not be in the colony at Christmas. Even should all teams' matches fall through, the New Zealand players will require to be in the very best of form to have any chance of success against visitors from other parts in the championship events. Messrs. Brookes, Heath, and others from Australia will take beating ; then there will bo Wilding fresh from, his triumphs in England and Conti- I nent to be considered — he is spoken of as j a player who is always in form, his condition helping him to often win from doubtful stages. All arrangements for the big meeting to bo held in Christcnurch at Christmas are well in hand. ALL-ENGLAXD CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. H. L. Doherty, the holder, again proved too good for F. L. Riseley, the winner of the All-comers Singles. The champion, of course, only played in the challenge round (many players reckon that the holder has a great advantage by only having to play ore match for the championship, whereas his opponent has to come through a heavy number of rounds) and beat hi 6 opponent 9—7,9 — 7, 6—l,6 — 1, B—6.8 — 6. Miss Douglass won the Ladies' Championship Singles, beating the holder, Miss May Suttop (America), in the challenge round. Miss Sutton's eldest sister was it seems, also in the competition, and was spoken of as being a better player than Miss May Sutton. MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. S. H. Smith and F. L. Rkeley— old opponents of the Dohertys — have at last succeeded in beating that fine combination again by 3 sets to '2. The first-mention-ed pair have pressed the brothers hard for the last five years. The open mixed double that Miss Douglass and Wilding won from Miss Thomson and Gore by 2 sets to 1 is not an All-England Championship. This event bos been a favourite one of Miss Thomson's. The AJI-England Ladies' Championship Doubles are played at Buxton in Derbyshire during the month of August. Previous champions — 1903 — Mif-scs Douglas and Thomson beat Misses Pickering and Robb (holders), 4—6. 6—3. 6—2. 1904 — Micses Douglas and Thomson (holders) beat Mrs. Hillyard qnd Miss Kendall, B—6, 6—l. ,1905— Misses C. M. Wilson and H. lane beat Misses Douglass and Thomson (holders), 6—3, 3—6, 6—4.