LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 336, 24 October 1908, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS.

". / (By Inter-Club.) '•• Within -.the last tiro or three weeks the 'majority of tho city clubs have opened:for the season. , Some have an official'ceremony ,- others simply invite their friends to-havSv'a .game and partake of afternoon tea: ■'.•■■■ " ' The clubs having asphalt courts are now. well under way, practising hard for tho interclub matches, which start on October, 31. Thorndon, the. only, possessors" of grass) pqurls in the city, expect to opeii this ..year than usual, on;- ; account!) of -'tho courts being in such excellent condition.' '• S ;_All the, clubs have a lengthy list of; new members^ 1 -"and the Thorndon * Club has decided to, increase its limit, .which will be welcome news' to tho many players who have 'tjeen so; long for such, an opportunity;' ■. :.j. - : i ; Numerous "inquiries- are 1 being madci as to when the Day's' Bay courts will be open for - practiced-'and if " the -players of : ; hard court clubs are to play matches across.the harbour,' tliey; should be permitted: to have some practice at once on the grass courts at Day's Bay. A player is generally, very much off. when transferred from. asphalt' to grass and most of the interclub competitors are anxious for'a-knock-up. -.... ~ -The, Wellington-Association is full'of life and,enthusiasm this season ); new officers, having, been found, and : judging-;from. their ini'tial efforts they arc going to. shake-matter's up. . The. annual general meeting was' tho best- atterided-.on record, and delegates as- a whole took a decidedly enthusiastic part'in the" night's proceedings. The constitution and rules' of the association, were revised during'/the-off-season, and provision is now made for sub-associations. But some of-the up-country : clubs 'want to go a step further and form themselves.into an association with power .to affiliate, -with -the New Zealand Association. The time lias not yet arrived for this latter aspiration to be granted, al'iiough possibly sliould ; any sub-associatioiig sliow advancement and activity to such a degree as to warrant a change, lit possibly, would not bo opposed.: The;-country clubs should give , the,-Wellington Association's scheme'a trial, and then perhaps in a year or two they may gain the right to become a full-fledged association. The delegates -parsed the balance-sheet with but few remark's.' The annual tournament showed a profit of abbut £2, but it appears that some £5 or £6 were overlooked from tho liabilities, and instead of the tournament showing a giiiii, it shows a considerable' loss. 5 ■ tl

Sports bodies now being bale to acquire grounds on the Town: Belt,' the Newtown club will, instead of feeling the loss of its old grounds bo in the position to at once start operations on its new'proposed site at the top of Constable Street-. The ground sccurcd there by tho club is nicely 'situated, , and before lpng the members will have four or five fine courts at' their disposal. Tlio old ground, although conveniently ..situated for most of tile players, had its-disadvantages, and the club was considerably hampered by the ever necessary expenditure; and also by the fact that it had-to limit the number of its members. The club should now boom, as already several players of good playing strength are anxious to bo enrolled as members. In the meantime, members have, been keeping themselves in form by practising on the Brougham Hill and Kar'ori clubs' courts, which were generously placed at their dis-. posal.. Brougham Hill sent a team out to Pctona on Labour Day, and the visitors had a very lucky win, 7—6. Petono is after the junior championship this year, and should make a good showing, there being plenty of sterling stuff in. the club. B. Green, who has thrown in his " lot with the club, ,will strengthen its team considerably.- . Players are already pairing for. the Now Zealand meeting to be held at Nelson during Christmas week. Nelson has not had tho New Zealand meeting since 1902, and if tho coming contests prove as interesting and as strenuously'.fought out, no one will regret making' the tripj .Nelson is noted for its good climato and liberal hospitality, and players can safely reckon oil having hard, fast, and true courts to play on. Mr. C. A. Green," of Nelson, is the tournament lion, secretary, to whom all entries should be sent. The Nelson championship and handicap tournament follow immediately after tho New Zealand meeting, and an attractive, programme, has, already been issued. Players wishing for something nearer at home are being provided for by the-Welling-ton Association with.a handicap tournament, which commences on Now Year's Day. Tha Day's Bay courts are. to bo used, and the good prizes provided for the several events should attract a-large entry. Considerable interest is being taken in the approaching contest for the Davis Cup, wliich is to be played, iii Melbourne between tho American and Australasian teams, startin" on November 26. Norman Brookes is almost certain to win his singles against Beals, Wright, and Alexander, and if tho other selected . playor, probably Wilding or Rico, can secure one match the cup will remain jrith .thevoresent holders.