LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 331, 19 October 1908, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS.

MAYOR OPENS BIDWILL STREET CLUB'S SEASON. The Bidwill Street Club opened its season on Saturday afternoon, the Mayor (Hon. T. W. Hislop) and Mr. W. H. P. Barber (M.P. for Wellington South) making appropriate addresses. There was a 1 large attendance— about one hundred—of members and friends; and the ladies in summer finery, and the prettily-situated green, sheltered but sunny, presented a charming picture. Afternoon tea was served in Mr. W, E. Moore's residence, kindly lent for tho occasion. In declaring tho season open, the Mayor' recalled one of his many reminiscences, stating that he was a member of tho first lawn tennis team in Wellington, at tho time of the inception of tho game here. Ho dwelt on tho growth of lawn tonnis since then, and pointed out that it did not aroua® tho passions in tho manner that some other games sometimes do. Lawn tennis, better than any other game, permitted the participation of both soxes. He congratulated_ tho club both on its membership and on its lawn, and pointed out that members wero under a special debt of gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Moore for giving tho use of thoir residence for afternoon tea. Mr. W. 11. P. Barber, who apologised for the unavoidable absenco of tho president of the club, Sir E. O. Gibbes, referred to the Nowtown Club's loss of its ground, and thought tho Bidwill Street Club was very fortunate in having the use of such a splendid green. The speakers were applauded, and thanks was conveyed to Mr. and Mrs. Moore by acclamation. Tho remainder of the afternoon was spent at tennis, in which visiting members of other clubs participated.