LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 250, 21 October 1919, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS.

(Br FOOTFAULT.) It is with great pleasure that I once . more take up my pen and endeavour to : help the interest in lawn tennis to be , maintained. With so many clubs, some i large some small, players will, I feel sure, fully realise that it is impossible to be everywhere at once, and for this reason I now take the opportunity of asking club secretaries to send along any item of news they may have from time to • time The warm spring days we have experienced during October (not too many, cortiiinly) have mado us turn our thoughts to the good old summer game. The weather during the month of October, however is never by any moans reliable, and any clnh that does decide to open in this month is, in my humble , opinion, looking for trouble. The grass is too full of moisture to stand 'the wear I and tear, and in consequence the courts soon show signs of wear. Players arc very perturbed about the late arrival of I tho new season's racquets. So far as I can gather, not even any advice has been received of shipments, so it may be well on into December before the new stock arrives. This simply moans that our old racquet will have to bo restrung. The old proverb, "It's an ill wind that blows . nobody any good," seems to apply here. TVCREASED 'POPULARITY. In Kngland last summer the wonderful relief after the strain of the war set all the out-of-door games going at a pace never been known before, and, judging by the interest shown here in the winter games, I rather fancy that tlie popularity of all summer games will be more j marked Ihan ever. In the Army, the : instructors always found that they got far better work from their men 'when they gave them plenty of good recreational training. If a man who is outside all day finds recreational training improves his health, how much more beneficial must it be to the man who is coope<l up in an office all day? That's all very well, but wlien and "where are we to get this very neccssary'out-of-door exercise ? ■DAYLIGHT SAVINTJ BILL. This brings us to a subject tnat we here in New Zealand know little about. Mr. Sidey. M.P., hae many times brought up a bill in Parliament called the Daylight Saving Bill, but after some hard hard fighting, it has been thrown out every time. "Xo good for the farmers" was tho conclusion eomo to. Thiß was very unfortunate indeed, as no better move could help the community as a whole to secure this necessary recreation. Tn England the- House of Commons decided to give it a trial, and it has proved its great mine in England, whore by the way, they have more twilig-ht than we do. The French Chamber also carried the same measure. It simply means that on the Ist of October of each year tho clock is put forward one hour, and not put back again till, say, the 20th April. In this manner wo would secure another hour's daylight in 'the evenings. It is too lato for this year, of course, but now is the time for'all sports clubs to organise nnj got 'the promise of all candidates for the coming elections to support the bill in the House. MORE LAWKS NEEDED. The local Association has always been fully aware of its groat responsibilities, and I feel sure that they will now push forward schemes to secure association courts in some central position. Owing to the war, the old West End Club had to close down, and now a croquet club has secured a lease of the ground, so the western suburb is without a club of any size. Several small clubs have secured grounds in various parts of the suburbs, I but what is wanted is about four, or I even more large clubs to secure grounds and start. They need have no fear of not being able to fill their membership list, as I feel confident that they would be rushed. Tho difficulty always is to secure suitable grounds, but waiting won't improve matters. Tho Remuera Club held (heir annual i meeting at the club pavilion on Friday I jlast. The attendance was most disappointing, as those present consisted ' mainly of, members of the ladies' and gentlemen's committees. Generally speaking, it k really extraordinary what little interest members take in tlie management of the affairs of a club. This < nib proposes to open next Saturday it the weather permits, bo as to enable' its members to get a full day in on -Labour 'Day., 1 "■ ' ■»•■ "'V-viW'.iriMHUMdMt.

I understand that the Association hae decided to hold a handicap tournament at Christmas, and the Auckland championships on January 2!) th. The New Zealand championship meeting will take place in Wellington at New Year. The Parnell lawns are looking very well indeed, and this club ehould have a very busy season. One old champion. Dr. Keith, is with us again, and I believe is joining the Eden and Epsom Club. I had the pleasure of a chat with him a few days ago, and he feels confident of reproducing hia old form once again. A recommendation that two teams be entered in the A grade competition was passed by the members of the Remuera Tennis Club on Friday last. The club is a very strong one. and should have' no difficulty " in picking two really good teams. ■Some members of one of our leading clubs are endeavouring to get the lawns opened for play on Sundays. I noticed last week that the question of Sunday play was brought up at a meeting of I the Victoria College Council, and after a general discussion a motion to permit Sunday play was defeated on the casting vote of the chairman. At the present time none of our clubs allow Sunday play, but the demand for sport i» becoming so great that this question will have to be faced at an early date.