LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 80, 28 December 1907, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS.

(BT Inteh-C1.C8.) Tlioro will be a rest for tennis players, as far as inter-club matches are concerned, until January IS, when the cup, pennant, and racquet contests commence again. The shield competition will not be started until I'obruary: 1. There is no lack'of tournament play" for the enthusiasts just now. Following-imme-diately on the Now Zealand tournament eomc the Taranalri, Wellington, Auckland, and Pahiatua handicaps and championships Tho Dauncvirko meeting is fixed for January 22 and 23. This is always a well-attended tournament, and the courts, live in number,'are always kept in excellent condition. Hiss R. AVellwood, a young lady who is being watched with much interest, and who is oxpected to give a good account of herself at the New Zealand tournament, is the holder of tho Dannevirke championship singles. March 10 and 20 will see the Hawke's Bay championship and handicap tournament under way at Napier, and anybody who has

played on thoso delightful courts, and received the hospitality of the Napier people, will bo only too anxious to return there. During the carnival month at Rotorua championship events nro to bo played off. The .Marlborough championships aro to bo played at Blenhoim during Easter Week, and, as it does not seem likely that tho Wellington Association will havo another local tournament so soon after the New Year's meeting as Easter, tho Marlborough gathering will be pretty sure to attract some Wellington players. Tho Masterton tournament is usually held towards tho end of January. This is a most popular meeting, having in previous years attracted such players as Parker, Fisher, Cox, Quill, and Young, whilst Misses Powdrell, Campbell, Travers, V and Mrs. Payne , have competed there within, the last : j year or two. / ■ ' ' Excellent entries hare' been received ;for tho Day's Bay tournament, commencing on January 1, and with fine weather a very enjoyable time may be expected. Then, again, thero is always an excuse for being beaten at Day's Bay. One. man ..explains that ho really cannot play on the grass—not his usual game, of course; another asks how lie can bo expected to settlo down and play with those shrieking women on the " chute ; and a lady plaintively tells' How she was most dreadfully sick on the journey across. Yes, the Bay is a both for losers as well as winners. Amongst tho strongest men who will be competing aro Messrs. Swanston, Gore, Prouse','.". Hawkins, Green, Wilson, and Boere,' whilst : Canterbury will be represented by Goss and Ollivier. The latter player beat that promising : player, A. D. Cox, in the filial of • the . Canterbury Club's championship singles. - Swanston and .Mrs. Hickson should win-- the - combined doubles, tho only pair likely to give them a good run being Goss and Mi's. ..Williams. The. ladies' championship singles, will in-all probability be fought out between the two above-mentioned ladies. One point that is troubling a number of players is how. they are going tij-get leavo from business oil the Friday, and whether the' maiiag6meiit will allow them to play their matches on Saturday instoad. It is more than likely that nuniorous games will go by default on the Friday, but some thoughtful one may yet se.o a way out of the difficulty. Tho Ashburton meeting has attracted fine entries from Canterbury and' Otago clubs. Ashburton has always been noted for its well-run tenuis tournaments,'-and the visitors are always given every attention mid made to enjoy themselves.; •• The Dimcdin players have entered strongly, and somo are expected to go near winning iii" the championship events. Miss Campbell, the'Otago champion, does not intend to compete-atany l ' tournament this Christmas. ; , ; ' According to the Taranaki papers, the New Zealand and Taranaki. meetings have attracted considerable attention;' The big meeting will bo nearly completed ■' by ' .the time readers peruse these lines,, and something definite will be to hand. Parker will be sure to win the men's championship singles, and Miss Nunneley should succeed' in the; ladies' event. The doubles aro a shade more open; still Fisher and Peacock catch tho eye at once for the men's,'and Misses Baker and Nunneley for the ladies' doubles. The combined is the most open;, but if one pair must , be selected, then let it bo Miss Pow--drell and Parker—whosoever beats .them will win. . .. . The Otago enthusiasts have started the game of tennis amongst the schools',- and tlio first match lias already been played. Six boys from tho High School met and defeated a team from the Rectory. Tho youngsters showed-fair form, ant], • according to an- exchange, one or two in each team have some ;fino natural strokes; • ,