DAVIS CUP DRAW

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28800, 22 January 1959, Page 18

DAVIS CUP DRAW

European Zone In London (N.Z. Pres- Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 pun.) LONDON, Jan. 20. At the request of the United States, holders of the trophy, the draw for the European zone of this year’s Davis Cup lawn tennis competition will be held in London by the British Lawn Tennis Association. It will be the first time since the war that a Davis Cup draw has been held in London. The draw Will be made on Thursday by the Duke of Devonshire, president of the British L.T.A. Entries from 27 nations have been accepted for the European zone. They are:— Austria. Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Luxembourg. Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Rumania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Jugoslavia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, New Zealand and South Africa.

NATIONAL AWARDS TO UMPIRES

System Criticised By G. P. Nicholls (New Zealand Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. 21. A new system of reward for good umpiring at the national tennis championships other than the present awards of the Kramer Cup for men and the Salek ttophy for women would have to be found, said a former New Zealand representative, P. G. Nicholls, today. Nicholls, who took part in this year’s championships at Wilding Park, Christchurch, considered that the present system had brought about too great a feeling of Intense rivalry. Some of the umpires would have gone down very well in Parliamentary debates with the long flowery introductions of the players. The two trophies were contested as bitterly as any hard-fought tennis match was played. Because of all this strong rivalry the umpiring at times, often in important matches, was atrocious, he said. Nicholls considered that the control of matches was badly affected by the attitude adopted < by these officials towards trophies. Launch Refloated.—The 40ft fishing launch Calypso, stranded at Waitarere beach some weeks ago. was refloated and sailed |o Paremata last week-end. The launch, purchased by a syndicate of Levin men, will be used as a pleasure* craft. No structural damage, it is understood, was caused by the stranding or the vessel’s weeks on the beach sands, A crane and four-wheel drive trucks were used in the refloating. —(p;a.)