LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1067, 4 March 1911, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

(Bt Side-like.)

Otago Easter Tournament, at Duuedin, .April 11, 15, 10. Tho Downpour. Last Saturday's wetness effectually discouraged tennis. It is not surprising to learn that same damago was done to courts that were "in the way" of the elements. St. John's courts, near the Karon reservoir, suffered most, a big slip coming down and piling up a heap which will require considerable time to clear. In consequence of the deluge tho ladies O grade match will have to bo played-at Johnsonville. Most of the asphalt courts had a deposit of clay left on them by the rush of surface water, and this, when dry, made the courts very, slippery.

Day's Bay courts have received an unusually early "top-dressing," and a most thorough watering. Tho stream nearbv could not take tho storm water, and, consequently, it broke its banks and used the turf as a bed. Luckily tlio water backed up sufficiently to prevent tho turf being torn up, and, excepting for a certain percentage of drift-wood spread about, which will tako some clearing, no great damage seems to lie done. Where the grass was brown previously it is now brilliantly green again, and should be well worked up by the week-end flood. To-day's Fixtures. Matches which were to have been played last Saturday will be put on to-day. They aro as follow.— Men's B-grade: Lower Hutt v. Trinity Church, at Lower Hutt; Petone v. Brougham Ilill No. 2, at Day's Bay, on Courts !) and 10; Brougham Hill No. 1 v. Victoria College No. 1, at Day's Bay, on Courts 7 and S; Victoria College No. 2, a bye. Men's C grade: Kilbirnie v. Brougham Hill No. 2, at Kilbirnie; Petone v. Khandallali, at. Khandallah; Oriental v. Victoria College, at Victoria College; St. John's v. Trinity Church, at Day's Bay, on Court No. 5. Men's D grade: Victoria College No. 1 v. Johnsonville, at Victoria College; Oriental v. Brougham Hill, at Brougham Hill; Victoria Collego No. 2 v. Trinity Church, at Trinity Church. Ladies' B grade: Petono v. Brougham Hill No. 2, at Petone; Trinity Church v. Brougham Hill No. 1, at Brougham Hill; Victoria College, a bye. Ladies' C grade, final round—St. John's v. Johnsonville, at Johnsonville. N.Z, Association Business.

The quarterly meeting of tho Now Zealand ■ Lawn. Tennis Association was held on February 21, but did not provide any undue excitement, nothing of an untoward nature being brought up. Tho motion regarding the voting powers of delegates was well analysed, and resulted in a rejection by 17 votes to 11. ' The principal weakness in tho motion was the fundamental one of curtailing tho powers of delegates at all without some very definite machinery by which they can ljo checked if they misbehave. It is well known that the Wellington provincial body has always given their delegates an absolutely frea hand. Tho delegates are first shown what the desire of the association is, and then arc cxpccted (according to the way iin which matters arc broached) to meet tliem in a spirit that will do most good to the sport, within their obligations to their association. Should this freedom have been lakcn from them, the positions of delegates would have been an absolutely negative one. The best way for business would be for each association to forward its written instructions to its delegates (any "dummy" would do), and an advisory board—the secretary—could average them and act accordingly. So refreshing! There are times when delegates would be very glad to pet some instruct'on. bn' there are mors times when tho fact ot being, tied-to a pertain, action wquuliikiUany movement in the direction of progress. Finally: Surely, if an'association does not approvo of the action of its delegate it has the remedy in its own hands—by simply calling for his' resignation. In such a case an association should have tho power of repudiating the action of a delegate should it bo proved that he had acted contrary to tho wishes of the body which he was supposed to represent. "Represent" is a word that may be understood in rather too many ways to be quite satisfactory. Still it must be used. But it must also lw remembered that a delegate is not simply a representative, but that he holds more powers, as tho word indicates—powers that it would be poor business to curtail.

Representation. Tho larger question of representation did not; come up for discussion owing to tho fact that no motion had been tabled, despite the fact that the several associations had been circularised by Auckland to tho effect that the matter would bo brought down. It is unfortunate that tho matter could not bo pushed through, but tho authorities had no option. Auckland's dilatoriliess at tho last moment will, no doubt, damage the cause of' tho "revolting" allies very considerably. But the misfortune is more in this, that an opportunity was not given for people to see and appreciate how things, renlly stand, although the delay may bring home to tho secessionists tho full weakness of their position. The sporting writer in tho Auckland "Weekly News" last week was only repeating what had already been threatened previously when he said, virtually, that should Auckland's motion not bo put through the result would bo a split in the camp. That a largo proportion of tennis authorities in tho Dominion— but still a minority—can say if wo can't have things our own way w"c won't plav, is somewhat childish. "Otago, First as Usual—" Tho fact of the whole thing is this: Otago first (as usual) has a grievance against, tho association. Then tho Davis Cup trouble arises, and Canterbury makes a grievance Then these two take advantage of that unhappy rivalry between Auckland and Wellington, and drag Auckland in too. Tennis can "go hang," but Wellington must lie given a knock! It is to be hoped that time has shown tho secessionists that tho New Zealand Association is a body of quito honourable men, who do their business in tho interests of the snort as a whole, and who ask no favours. Davis Cup Comment. Now that America has issued her challenge for the Davis Cup, Australasia will have less fear than over of the sidetracking of this event, as was threatened by the proposal for a. liom'e-and-home meeting between Amcriea and England. It was never felt to be a very great probability i,.at America would bo content to surrender its Cup in such a halfhearted manner as was indicated. Had Jl'Loughlin .not been prevented from coming last year—which he was eager to do—this querying would not have been started. Whatever tho team is to bo next season, it may bo well to note that it. will be exceedingly interesting, the list of tho first-fliuht of American tennis being of such a. high standard, niul comprising such a number of splendid players, that Brookes and Co. will not have it all their own way; without considering the English contingent. Wellington will probably again bo chosen for the meeting, and arrangoments should already bo in hand for courts, fit for such wear as will be entailed. Brougham Hill Club. This club's handicaps arc now finished, barring tho combined events, which arc not through to semi-finals so far, and tho drawings lor the championship events are out. ai.d show full entries. Tho results are as follow:—In the men's singles. Tow.nsend (2) beat Barton (G), nt 50—33 in the final, after disposing of Ilawkins (owe 20) in the semi-iinal. Barton had beaten Laishley (owo 20) in his semi-final at 50—38. ,T. A. B. Howe and It. V. Howe (owe 2) took the final from Hunter and Roberts (2) in tho doubles, at 50—35. Miss Howe (12) won the ladies' single ll , beating Miss Williams (10) in the semi-finals. at '10—31, and Miss Morgan (ser.) in the finals, at 10—37. Misses Rothschild and Hayes only pulled up seven points on Misses Williams and Creasy, who won, 40—33, O- Ollivier is in town nt present, with some prospect of his staring,