LAWN TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 45, 17 November 1936, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS

History of the Hawke’s Bay Club ITS PART IN GAME’S DEVELOPMENT

(By

Forehand.)

Hawke's Bay may be called the cradle of tennis in New Zealand, for it was at Farndon, seven or eight miles from Napier, that the first New Zealand championships tournament was played. The date w,as 1886—50 years ago. It is fitting, therefore, that some attempt should be made to trace the history of tennis in Hawke's Bay as it centres on the growth of the Hawke’s Bay club, the premier club in the province ami one of the earliest formed clubs in New Zealand. The story is well told in an official history and souvenir of the Hawke’s Bay club compiled and written by Mr. A. F. B. McCredie. of Napier. The years reviewed are from 1884 to 1936. The contents of this fine little booklet include chapters on the beginnings of lawn tennis in Hawke's Bay and New Zealand ; the first New Zealand tournament: character sketches of Mr. Frank Logan, founder and first, president of the Hawke’s Bay Lawn Tennis Association, and Mr. J. F. Jardine, founder of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association ; Hawke’s Bay champions; New Zealand roll of champions; the rules of lawn tennis; origins of lawn tennis; a lawn tennis miscellany; and the growth of tennis in New Zealand. “This booklet,” says the author. “ . . . is, primarily, a history of the Hawke’s Bay Lawn Tennis Club. But because the Hawke's Bay club was the pioneer of competitive and organised tennis in this country, the account of its past here presented assumes a wider character. Among occasions of national importance in the history of the game, it records the first tournament ever held in New Zealand, the first recognised New Zealand championship meeting, and the formation of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, for which the Hawke’s Bay club was in each case responsible.” This is a unique record. "The club's history dates from 1884, when club tennis first appeared in New Zealand. Mr. Frank Logan, Mr. J. F. Jardine, and Mr. 0. D. Kennedy were the pioneers.” These men are now no longer alive, but it would be difficult to find anywhere three more fitted to pioneer a sport. They were men greatly respected by the community in which they lived, and they were enthusiasts. Their enthusiasm was readily seen from the fact that the club courts were put down at Farndon Bark, and the journey there had to he made by train. We growl today if we have to go only two or three miles, and oven less than two, to a court. New Zealand Tournament.

Eight permanent courts were put down by Mr. J. P. Smith, proprietor of the Farndon Hotel. "He agreed to prepare the ground and sow seed, erect wire-net-ting screens, provide nets and other accessories, and undertake the care and maintenance of the area, for a total charge of £6O a year.” Contrast that with costs to-day. At Christinas, 1885, the first open tournament held in New Zealand took place at Farndon. “It was an unqualified success." “So wide and representative was the enFry (despite no entries from Canterbury) for the 1886 tournament, that it was decided midway through the tournament that the winners should he entitled to call themselves champions of New Zealand in their respective events.

“It was at the 1886 gathering, too, that the New Zealand Association was formed at the instigation of Mr. Jardine, secretary of the Hawke’s Bay club, who himself became secretary of the new national association. It is a noteworthy fact that the association formed on Mr. Jardine's proposal ante-dates the controlling body in England, the Lawn Tennis Association, which was not formed until 1888.” The headquarters remained at Napier until 1894.

In view of the recent discussions at the New Zealand L.T.A. Council on the claims of places outside Auckland. Wellington and Christchurch for the distinction of holding the New Zealand championships tournament, it is interesting to note that it Ims been held at Dunedin, Wellington, Auckland, Nelson. Christchurch. Hastings, Napier, and Palmerston North.

Although tennis had been going for a number of years in Hawke's Bay, it was not until 1903 that the Hawke's Bay L.T.A. was formed, the late Mr. F. Logan, and Mr. H, Bradley, being the prime movers. Mr. Logan became first president. For 25 years the Hawke’s Bay club courts were situated in Jull Street; now new ones are being used at Marewa.

Play, Then and Now. Commenting on the play of the performers at the early tournaments, the author says: "When allowance is made for the improvement in equipment (luring recent years, the standard in early times appears remarkable, and can be explained only by the sheer ability of the players themselves. . . . Players of four and (in some cases) even five decades of experience are ready to attest that they have never seen anyone (not including even Anthony Wilding) who could equal J. M. Marshall (champion of 1890), or F. Laishley, in sheer speed, power and hard hitting. Few, if any, have since his day reproduced the combination of style and accuracy embodied in Minden Fenwicke’s play; few, too, the faculty for rising to an emergency which his brother, P. C. Fenwicke. possessed. R. D. Harman and F. Wildjng (father of Anthony) acquired a combination of individual competence and mutual understanding which made thejn a doubles pair of outstanding merit, judged by any New Zealand standard then or since. And, despite the feminine revolt against a style of dress which left tile women of her time ‘cabin’d, cribb’d, confin’d’—and corsetted—New Zealand is still waiting to see another Miss Nunneley.” In connection with these early tournaments, ton, the prizes must surely make the mouths of the present-day amateurs water. Men's singles: Winner, £l5 and 25-guinea challenge cup; runner-up, £5.

Tho above are only a few of the many interesting things to be found in this little booklet, which deserves a large sale. It should be read by those interested in tennis not alone in Hawke's Bay but throughout the Dominion. "Forehand” wishes it every success. Miramar Club. Tho Miramar Tennis Club handicap is well under way, the work of the committee being particularly reflected in the efficient control. Results (luring the week are as follows:— Women’s singles: Miss E. B. Stevens boat Miss J. Sterling. 40-35; Miss P. Stevens boat Mrs. A. McLeod, 40-37. Men’s singles: Penny boat Grimstona. 60-41; Lawton boat Catchpole. 60-54; Williams boat A. McLeod, 60-50. Women’s doubles: Mrs. Ashbridge and Miss B. Lewis beat Miss Bishop and Miss Roundtree. 50-48. Men’s doubles: Tucker and Walker beat L. Patterson and Sissons. 60-45. Mixed doubles: Williams and Mrs. Hay beat Grimstone and Miss McCardell, 60-51.