TENNIS YEAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 164, 13 July 1929, Page 11

TENNIS YEAR.

AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION.

ADVANCEMENT OF THE GAME,

LOCAL PLAYERS' SUCCESSES.

The 1925-29 tennis season in Auckland Avas a most successful one, both as regards the advancement of the game generally and the increased interest shown by the public, according to the report of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, to be presented at the annual meeting on July 30.

The visit of the British Isles team to New Zealand, and the allotment of the test match to Auckland, a splendid opening for the season. fortunately the weather was on its best behaviour, and an excellent attendance of the public showed that if a good exhibition is put on there need be no fear about the stands being empty. E. L. Bartleet, of Auckland, was chosen as one of the members of the New Zealand team. Following closely oil this came the New Zealand championships, but this time the weather proved bad, and the gate receipts were seriously affected. The Auckland 'players surpassed themselves, E. L. Bartleet winning the men's and Miss Macfarlane the ladies' singles, this being the first time on record that both singles events have been won by Aucklanders.

The annual championship and handicap tournaments were held on the association's courts, but the attendances were not quite as good as last season, due, no doubt, to the fact that these events followed so closely the New Zealand championships. The following were successful in the various competitions::—

Champion ships.—Men's singles (1), K. L. Bar fleet, (2) A. L. Stedman; men's B singles. F. Lucas; ladies' singles. Miss Mar J. Macfarlane; men's double, L. I.anipe and N. .Stuff; ladies' doubles, Mrs. Melody and Mrs. Arneili; combined doubles, Miss I'. Miller and A. C. Johns.

Handicaps.—Men's singles. E. D. Robins : mCn's doubles, Cheal and Wallace; ladies' singles, Mrs. Lartu; ladies' doubles, Misses M. 'Potter and K. Knott; combined' doubles, Miss R. Major and W. Roberts. C Grade. —Men's singles, R. R. Lees; ladies"singles, Mrs. .T. Latta; men s doubles, Abbott and L. Syrns: ladies' doubles, Mrs. Muir and Miss Firzpatrick; combined doubles. Miss Major and W. Roberts. .Juniors. —Boys' singles, A. C. Stedman; iris' singles, Miss D. Newton ; boys' do übles. M>. T. Wilson and J. S. Wilson: girls'doubles, Misses D. Newton ana P. llukutai. Father and Son. —W. Brownlee and son. Secondary Schools. — Boys' doubles, Brownlee and Milne (Auckland Grammar) ; boys' singles. Milne; girls' singles, Mips R. Taylor: girls' doubles, Misses R. Taylor and Gwen Hooper.

.Junior Tournament. (Under IS, Wellington i.—Boys' doublet?. Mrownlee and Milne (.winners) ; boys - singles, Milne (runner-up).

The junior national tennis scheme received a fine start when representatives of practically all the associations affiliated to the parent body gathered at Wellington at the end of May to play off for the championships. The Auckland team was five boys and'five girls, and, although the- latter did not prove strong enough for their southern rivals, two of the boys, Messrs. R. Milne and Brownlee, did splendidly in winning the doubles, whilst the former reached the final of the singles. The tournament filled a longfelt want, and would undoubtedly give a great impetus to the encouragement of junior play throughout the Dominion.

Thanks to the splendid efforts of the Primary Schools' Association the encouragement of school children of early age was mo?t apparent during the past season. The great keenness of the children was shown at the lectures,, and evidences of the good resulting was noticeable at the tournament held at the Parnell Club's lawns. The secondary schools' tournament again produced some line talent, and the report says it is this that the association must foster, as from this source the future champions must be expected. For this tourney the Remuera lawns were placed at the disposal of the authorities.

The revenue account shows a loss of £91, but without depreciation, amounting to £10ii, an actual • profit of £14 would have - been recorded.