LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 235, 4 October 1937, Page 15

LAWN TENNIS.

AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION. HARD COURT* OPEN. PEELING OF OPTIMISM. About the tennis clubs in the city on Saturday there was generally a feeling of optimism. Most clubs were able to report increased memberships and many of them had added courts, new pavilions or improvements to their grounds to quote as evidence of their progress and expected prosperity. There was a good turn-out of members and most of the clubs combined the opening ceremony with a tournament. Officials of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association had a busy time visiting the various clubs to perform the opening ceremonies. The president, Mr. Harold Clay, who was accompanied by Mrs. Clay and Mr. D. Wright, a member of the management committee, did a round of the suburban clubs, officiating at Otahuhu, Papatoetoe, Mangere Central, Mangere East and Papakura. Other officers of the association attended the following clubs: Messrs. S. Cleal, Milford, BirkenheadNorthcote, Belmont, Melrose Park; J. K. Hall, Campbell Park, Waiata, Ferguson Park; E. Hickson, Unity, Fairhough; N. O. Sturt, New Lynn, Avondale, Grammar Old Boys, Piropiro; C. E. Bowler, Mount Eden, Nicholson Park, Mount Roskill. Around the Clubs. Addition* have been made to the New Lynn Tennis Club's courts and it was stated at the opening on Saturday that they were now among the best in the#ity. Mrs. George Lawson, the Mayoress, drove the first ball over the net. At the Campbell Park Club Mr. D. G. Alfrey,'president of the club, performed the opening ceremony. There Mr. Ken Hall represented the AJL..T.A. and Mies E. Stewart served the first ball. The Mayor of Mount Eden, Mr. T. McNab, performed the opening ceremony at the Mount Eden Club and St. Barnabas' Club, at both of which improvements, had been carried out to the court surfaces. [Both clubs reported greatly increased memberships.

The feature of the opening of the Grammar Tennis Club was the exhibition of two handsome cups which the club has given their year for its championships. They will be known as the MacDenald Cups, in recognition of the work of Mr. D. R. Mac Donald, who has been president | of the club practically since its foundation. The Carlton Club, Onehunga, was opened by Mr. D. Coatee, deputy-Mayor, Mrs. D. Pert, wife of the president, serving the first ball. About fifty players took part in a progressive tournament. ~'Ajt the batata Club (Mount RosktU) the president, Mr. H. G. Carr referred to the great progress.'made by the club since Its "inception anil mentioned that the past season had been the most outstanding in I its history. Mr. C. McCullough, chairman | of the"Mount Roskill Road Board, declared the conrts opened for the season, Mrs. Carr serving the first bail. In a tournament the | winders were Airs. S. R,* Haycock and Mr. 1 Wooller.