N.Z. UNIVERSITY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17431, 17 April 1922, Page 7

N.Z. UNIVERSITY.

ANNUAL TOURNAMENT. TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS. (FROM OCR SPECIAL REPORTER.') AUCKLAND, April 15. Conditions were very bad for the opening day's play in the New Zealand University championship tournament; if they had been much worse the matches would have been called off in the morning instead of at 4.30 p.m., as they were. The games were played on the Onehunga courts, which would have been in beautiful condition but for the- rain on Friday afternoon and night. It rained by spasms to-day, but play was begun at noon. It was impossible to get a proper footing on the grass with ordinary shoes and some players adopted the expedient of putting socks over their shoes. This was a slight improvement. Conditions did not make for brilliant tennis and most of the contestants played much below their usual form.

The Canterbury College prospects were bright at the conclusion of the first day's play. Worker has a fine chance of winning the men's singles, as both the Otago and Auckland first players have been defeated, and Poorer, of Victoria, is by no means brilliant. In the men's doubles, Worker and Tench have very good prospects; indeed, they went well against the Auckland second double, in spite of the weather conditions. Worker and Miss Patridge will probably meet Entwistle and Miss KnignJ in the final of the combined doubles. This should be a very close match. In the ladies' singles, Miss Partridge has not played a game yet, so that she will have a very strenuous time on the second day's play. On form she should beat Miss Seay and Miss Ballantyne, but probably Miss Knight will retain her title, in the ladies' doubles, Canterbury has one pair in each half of the semi-final round. One of them should defeat Miss Knight and Miss Mueller (Auckland). In the men's singles Worker (Canterbury) had no difficulty in disposing of Hollmgs (Victoria) in straight sets. Harrop (Canterbury) met Power first Victoria man. i*ower led 5—2 in the first set, winning 6 —l. Harrop started well in tbe second set but a downpour of rain stopped play. On resuming, Power ran out the winner, 6—3. In the men's doubles. "Worker and Tench (Canterbury) defeated Hubble and Coppard (Auckland) in straight sets. Smyth and Husk (Otago) defeated Harrop and Hamilton (O'anterbruv) but did not play in very convincing fashion. This match was commenced first of the day and the players found the greatest difficulty in turning in any direction. la the combined doubles Tench and Miss Wnowden (Canterbury) played a fine game against Entwistle and Miss Knight (Auckland). They lost the first set, 6—l, but improved considerably, and took the second set, (3—3. Both Canterbury players were good at the net. The third set went to Auckland, 6—3. Miss Knight played a fine game throughout, but she hardly appeared to reproduce last year's form. Worker and Miss Patridge (Canterbury) defeated Gibb and Miss Coull (Victoria) in straight sets. They commenced a semi-finai game against Nicholson and Bliss Mueller (Auckland) but rain caused cessation of play ™ n the score was 2-all. In the ladies' singles; Miss Sowden (Canterbury) lost to Miss Knight (Auckland), 9 —4, and Miss Valentine (Canterbury) lost to Miss Thwaites (Victoria). 9—6. Both Canterbury players did well but found the slippery courts very trying, Miss Valentine falling over on several occaIn'the ladies' doubles Misses Valentine and Smith (Canterbury) secured an easy win against Misses Pigou ana Myers (Victoria), and Misses Partridge and Sowden (Canterbury) defeated Misses Ballantyne and feeay (Otago), 9-4. After Deing I—4 at one stage, Miss Partridge started badly, but in the concluding stages she was brilliant. Miss Sowaen played a steady game throughout. In the second round the Canterbury pair scored a decisive win against Misses Robb and Minchin (Auckland). ■ Following are details of tne play:— Men's Singles. K de B. "Worker (Canterbury) defeated W. P Hollings (Victoria), 6-1, 6-1; A. M. Nicholson (Auclland) defeated E B. W. Smyth (Otago). M, 6-7, 6-2; K G. Lusk (Otago) defeated w'.-H. Entwistle (Auckland) M, S-6- J. M. Power (Victoria) defeated A. J. Harrop (Canterbury), M, 6-3. \ Men's Doubles. A. N. Slater and H.'S. Wilkinson (Otago) defeated J. M. Power and M. C. Gibb (Victoria), 6-3, 9-7; E. do R, Worker and A. D. Tench (Canterbury) defeated V. N. Hubble and J. C. Coffard (Auckland), 6-2, 6-3; iu. B. W. Smyth and E. G. Lusk (Otago) defeated A. J. Harrop and A. M. Hamilton (Canterbury), 6-3, 6-4; W. H. Entwiatle and A M. Nicholson (Auckland) defeated W. H. Rtainton and H. N. Burns (Victoria), 6-2, 6-1. Combined Doubles. Niiholeon and Mies Mueller (Auckland defeated Lusk and Mis 3 Seay (Otago), 7-5, 7-5; Worker and Mies Partridge (Canterbury) defeated Gibb and> Miss Coutt (Victoria), 6-1, 6-3; Srcvth and Miss Ballantyne (Otago) defeated Sainton and Miss Pigou (Victoria), 6-3, 6-2; Entwistle and Misb Knight (Auckland) defeated Tench and Miss Sowden (Canterbury), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. Second Eound. Worker and Miss Partridge, and Nicholson and Miss Mueller, were 2 all when rain stopped play. Smyth and Miss Ballantyne were 2-1 against Entwistle and Miss Knight. Ladies' Singles. First Eound. Miss I. Thwaites (Victoria) defeated Mi»a H. Valentine (Canterbury), 9-6; Miss I. Cowie (Otago) defeated Miss M. Emeeton (Auckland), 9-1; Miss A. Seay (Otago) defeated Miss E. Madelcy (Victoria), 9-5. Second Eound. Mias B. Knight (Auckland) defeated Miss M. Sowden (Canterbury), 9-4; Mias Cowie (Otago) defeated Miss Thwaites (Victoria), 9-4; Miss Ballantyne (Otago) defeated Miss R. Gardiner 9-1. Ladies' Doubles. , First Eound. Misses A. Eobb and A. Manchin (Auckland) defeated Misses I. Cowie and 0. Golders (Otago), 9-5; Misses E. Partridge and M. Sowden (Canterbury) defeated Misses E. , Ballantyne and A. Seay (Otago) 9-4. Second Eound. Mistes Gardiner and Coull (Victoria) defeated Misses M. Smeeton and W. Parkinson (Auckland), 9-7; Misses E. Partridge and M. Sowden (Canterbury) defeated Misses Eobb and Minchin (Auckland), 9-1: Misaes B. Knight and H. Mueller (Auckland) defeated Missej I. Thwaites and E. Madoley (Victoria), 9-2; Misses H. Valentine and B.Smith (Canterbury) defeated' Misses A. Pigou and 11. Myers (Victoria), 9-1. Remainder of the Draw. Men's Singles—The winner of "Worker (Canterbury) ana Nicholson (Auckland) plays the winner of Lusk (Otago) and Power (Victoria!. Men'i Doubles —The winner of Slater and Wilkinton (Otago; and Worker and Tench (Canterbury) plays the winner of Smyth and Lusk (Otago;, and Entwistle and Nicholson (Auckland). In the final of the Combined Doubles, the winners of Worker and Miss Partridge \Canterbury). and Nicholson and Miss Mue'.ler (Auek'and) play the winners of Smyth and Miss Ballantyne (Otago), and Entwistle and Mi»s Knight (Auckland) In the Ladies' Singles, MJm Partridge (Canterbury) piays Miss Ballantyne (Otago) for a place in the final. Ladies' Double?— The winners of Misses Gardner and Coull (Victoria) and Misses Partridge and Sowden (Canterbury) play the winnerß of Misses Knight and Mueller (Aucklaiid> and Miss Valentine and Smith (Canterbury) in the final. . Victoria College are thus eliminated from the Men's Doub.es, Combined Doubles, and Ladies' Singles, and Otago from the Ladies' Double*.

Canterbury and Auckland are left in all five events. The,contest for the cup promises to be a most exciting one, and 5 fine weather prevails some good tennis should bo seen. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, April 15. Th» outstanding games of the Men's Singes were those between the Auckland and Otngo leading pairs. Lusk (Otago) beat Entwistle (Auckland) after a very close and interesting two sets, in which the Aucklander '.ost chances by unsteadiness, while Lusk played a good all-round game, his pace in making recovery, and his ability to lob, carrying him through. The Smyth (Otagol- . Xichclson (Auckland) game went three sets. Xicliolson won by sheer pertinacity and ability to return difficult shots. Smyth, with a fine, fast service and an unusually good crash, had lapses of unsteadiness which lost him the match.

DEBATING CONTEST. WIN FOE CANTERBURY. STUDENTS IN MERRY MOOD. (from our special reporter.) AUCKLAND, April lis. The annual University debating contest was held in the Town Hiill last night, when Canterbury University College retained possession of the Joynt Challenge Scroll, which was won by its representatives in Christchurch last year. The debate was arranged to bo under the chairmanship of .Mr J. H. Gunson, Mayor of Auckland, but he did not arrive till Archer, of Canterbury, and Veale, of Auckland, had spoken. In the early stages of the debate (under a temporary chairman) it was evident that eoiuo students in tine audience were in. an exceedingly merry humour. A detachment with newspapers turned them, over on every occasion when the speakers looked at their notes, and interjections were frequent. Arciher (Canterbury) made a brilliant speech, stemming the tide of interruptions in masterly fashion, and proceeding to a fino peroration with on ease which compelled admiration. Veale (Auckland), who followed, was not ßne.irly so convincing, though, his matter was excellent. Batehelor (Canterbury) spoke with commendable vigour, and was undismayed by the continuous interjections.

Some of the interjections were humorous enough; others were merely foolish. At no stage did the noise even approach that of the debate in Ohriatchurch last year. Mr Gunson (who had been detained by a mishap to his car) came in at the beginning of Batchelors speech, and it was soon evident that he would bo very strict in his rulings. Batchelor was ".. talking about the recent elections in three electorates in a. New Zealand ; city when a student interjected: "Auckland East, Auckland Central, and Auckland West." Even Mr Gunson smiled—and then with one accord the students yelled, "Smile, Jimmy, smile." It was amusing to see the Mayor's unsuccessful attempt to freeze into an expression of disapproval. Then Some of tho Auckland teaching staff took a hand, and as a result almost tho whole of the students walked out. Turner (Auckland), who replaced Davis at the last moment, spoke"in on awful calm —practically without interruption of any sort. It must be admitted that the debate was very tedious after tho interruptions ceased. In the second debate, between Victoria and Otago, Byburn, of Otago, gave a good, critical, debating speech, and Coombes (Otago) spoke in a'somewhat alow and superior manner. Davidson (Victoria) was very monotonous in his delivery. He was beginning his peroration when the final boll Vang, and immediately he plunged into a threeminute sentence, mudh to the amusement of tho audience. While the judges were in consultation, Mr J. C. Dickinson, formerly of Canterbury College, asked leave to say a few words about the interruptions. He criticised the chairman for closing down on all interruptions, as the debate, he said, had then become intolerably, dull. Mr Gunson said he agreed that there was a good deal in this. He believed in allowing a certain latitude, but in his opinion the limit of such latitude had been reached. Mr F. A. De La Mare, formerly of Canterbury College and Victoria College, spoke as one who had heard fourteen different contests. He said he regretted that in the past four or five years there had been a tendenoy to rowdyism, which had not been in evidence previously. There was a laok of original humour and witty interjection. Tho judges—Messrs A. H. Johnston, E. Aldridgo, and the Rev. W. Monckton, M.A.—then announced the decision . as follows: Canterbury, defeated Auckland, and Otago 'defeated Victoria. Canterbury defeated Otago by a nar- , row margin. Mr R. W. Thomas (Auckland) then made a number of announcements. In emphasising one matter he stepped forward a little too far and fell right off the platform. This was the most interesting inoident after the suppression of the interruptions. Entertainment of Visitors. At the tennis courts yesterday, the visitors were welcomed by Professor A. P. W. Thomas, vice-chairman of the College Council. This morning the representatives attended servioe at St. Matthew's ProCathedral. The sermon was preached by Bishop A. "W. Averill. His Excellency the Governor-General, Lady Jelhcoe, and family attended the ser- - vice. The visitors are being entertained right royally. Canterbury College prospects of f lining; more points than Otago for the thletic Shield are bright, as Wiseman ' is reported to be doing 35ft 3in in the weight-putting event. This should be sufficient to win the event, which was regarded as a certainty for Otago. CRICKET MATCH. PUSS ASSOCIATION TILMBAV.) AUCKLAND, April 16. The cricket match between Victoria College and Auckland University College w«a commenced to-day on a sodden wicket, Scoree:— AUCKLAND. First Innings. Goodwin, c Gibson, b Anderson .. 22 Dunning, c Miles, b Anderson .. ..13 Saunderß, b Anderson .. .. ..6 Speight, b Anderson .. ..0 •Sjneeton, b Lewis .. ..2 Weir, ll>w, b Lewis .. •• l* Garrard, b Anderson .. .. ..78 Macklow, not out •- ..21 Johnston, b Cousins .. * Buttle, lbw, b Anderson .. ..0 Gray, b Anderson .. ..0 Extras _W Total " 6 B:)wnna—Cousins took 1 wicket for 34 runs, Anderson 7 for 53, Lewie 2 for CO. Second Innings. Macklow, c Cousins, b Anderson .. 4 Dunning, not out "a Speight, not out .. J - Extras < Total foT ono wicket ..15 VICTORIA COLLEGE-. First Innings. Miles, c Garrard, b Saunders .. 19 Ronaldson, lbw, b Goodwin .. .. M Cousins, c "Weir, b Goodwin .. .. 9 Lewis, b Goodwin ..1 Anderson, b Saunders .. ..6 Robertson, c Smeeton, b Saunders .. 0 Gibson, not out ..7 McKay, b Goodwin .. j> i Wires, b Saunders " \ Whiteman, b Saunders ... .- V Extra* ■'■__' Total •- -W ■ Bcwling—Saunders took 5 wickets lot 40 runs, Goodwin 5 for 17.