LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 263, 5 November 1937, Page 14

LAWN TENNIS.

GRASS COURTS OPEN. REMUERA'S LARGE MUSTER. N.Z. TOURNEY AT AUCKLAND. (By HALF-VOLLEY.) All the grass court clubs opened last Saturday, with wonderful weather to usher in the new season. Pride of place in this column must be given to the Parnell Club, whose sixty-sixth season was inaugurated by its president, Mr. D. D. Vickerman, in the presence of Archbishop Averill and a large gathering of members and friends. Mr. H. Clay, president of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, Mr. Kolf Porter, secretary of the association, and Mr. Percy Harrison, president of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, also took part in the opening ceremony, as did also the club's oldest member, Miss J. Mowbray, an ex-Auckland singles champion. Messrs. Clay and Harrison also attended the opening of the Reniuera Club's courts by its president, Mr. E. M. D. Ohlsou. Claiming by right of conquest the title of Auckland's premier club, Kemuera, holders of the Caro Memorial Cup, open the season auspiciously with a membership of well over 2(H). The twelve grass courts of the club appear to be in their usual firstclass order, and a prosperous and successful season seems assured.

Xext 011 the list comes Eden and Epsoin, runners-up to Kemuera in last year's Caro Cup competition for the A grade, and winners of last year's B grade penna.it. Eden and Epsom, now commencing its fifty-second season, i« the second oldest of Auckland's clubs, and Mr. Clay, in speaking to the gathering of members and friends, was able to deliver a message to the club sent a few day* ago by Norman Brookes, recalling the tennis he had enjoyed 011 its courts. Kden and Epsom seems to have increased its senior playing strength a little this year, and should have an excellent chance of reversing last year's verdict if the final of the 1937-38 A grade competition should be contested between this club and Reniuera. At the Auckland Club, on the Stanley Street courts, Mr. Clay attended the opening ceremony, after which a Yankee tournament was played. Aucklander as National Head of Game. While talking of presidential affairs, one should mention the honour that has been done to Mr. Percy Harrison, and through him to the Auckland Association by his appointment this year as president of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association. President of the Auckland Tennis Association till last year, Mr. Harrison is one of the most popular figures in the game in Auckland, as well as one of the most capable and tactful presidents ever to sit in the chair of office. With the Dominion championshijis to be held at Auckland in January, it was naturally desirable to appoint an Aucklander as Dominion presideut if ..tie were offering, and every Auckland player will be pleased that the Dominion body's choice has fallen upon Mr. Harrison, and will congratulate hint upon his api>ointment.

Auckland President Retiring. Widespread regret is being voiced in Auckland tennis circles at the approaching retirement of the president of the Auckland Lawn Tennis. Association, Mr. Harold Clay, on his being transferred to Wellington, where he has been appointed manager of the New Zealand Insurance Company. While local players will heartily congratulate Mr. Clay on his business appointment, yet the Auckland Association is losing a president who hax given many years of very arduous and conscientious service to Auckland tennis, and who, moreover, is now com-

fin Im lily in his stride in the second year of presidential office. Mr. Clay lias filled iifarly every office connected with the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association. As chairman of its inter-club coniniittee for many years, he did efficiently what is undoubtedly the most difficult and most thankless job in local tennis, and the emergency coniniittee no doubt realities that it will be a moxt difficult matter to replace the loss which his transfer will cause.