“N.Z. Wimbledon”

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 45, 17 November 1936, Page 14

“N.Z. Wimbledon”

Enterprise at Napier

rpHE largest property in New Zealand owned by any individual tennis club was officially Opened recently. The propertv iu question, which is owned by the Hawke's Bav Lawn Tennis Club, ot Napier, is nearly five and a halt acres in extent, and contains twenty grass courts, in addition to au acre of surrounding lawns and gardens. _ The grounds have beeu laid out on a site acquired by the Hawke s Bay club under lease from the Napier Harbour Board. Much work has been put into their preparatiou, and their condition at the opening on Saturday reflected high credit on the club’s groundsman, Mr. I<. Daily, and assistants. It is less than seven months since the area was taken over and in the intervening period twenty splendid grass courts have been laid down, some 25.000 square feet of wire netting screens erected, a large pavilion built and attractive surroundings laid out. including the planting of more than 1300 trees and shrubs for shelter and ornamental purposes. The club intends, when wells have been sunk to secure a sufficient supply of artesian water to provide a swimming POOI. - „ A span of fifty-two years of New Zealand lawn tennis was bridged by personalities who attended the opening ceremony. There was a large crowd of young players, and among the visitors were two ex-New Zealand champions of more than forty years ago. .They were Mr. Minden Fen'wicke, of Hastings, winner of the New Zealand men’s singles in ISB9, 1892, and 1593. and the New Zealand men’s doubles in 18S6, ISS9 and 1893; and Mrs. E. J. Mayne, of Napiifr, formerly Miss E. Harman, of Christcuurch, who won the New Zealand ladies’ singles in 1887. and the New Zealand ladies’ doubles in 1887, 1891, and 1899. The speeches of the day were largely reminiscent in character, and recalled the history of the Hawke’s Bay club and its pioneering work in New Zealand tennis more than half a century ago. Mention was made, iu particular, of the year 1885. when the Hawke’s Bav club held

the first lawn tennis tournament ever staged in New Zealand, and also of the year ISS6. when the same club,held the iirst New Zealand championship meeting, and (during the tournament) sponsored the formation of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association.