Lawn Tennis.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 56, 3 September 1904, Page 14

Lawn Tennis.

(By Htjka.)

Tho New Zealand team, from all accounts, should ha,ve a very enjoyablo time across the water, and, judging by tho "probable" programme submitted by tho N.S.W. Association, thero is no doubt thnt tho trip, from a social point of view, will be most enjoyivble. Tho programme is to be as follows: — Reception on airival, 7th September; a dance, either on the 14th or ISth ; launch picnic down tho harbour on tho 14th or l&th; official dinner on 17th September; smok& concert ono evening during tho course of tho tournament. On tho 13th Soptcmber the New Zealandors will play at Newcastle, whero they are to bo enterta-ined right royally. Tho Victorian Association is sending two delegates to tho conference which is to be held in Sydney concerning tho international team for 1906. It is almost certain that a team from Australasia will be sent Home to attempt the lifting of tho famous Davis Cup from tho present holder, the British Isles. Should tho team be Miccwwful, then the next contest would have to be held in the colonies. Should Brookes, tho Victorian champion, attend the N.S.W. championship meeting, the championship of Axistrnlasia will bo practically decided, and without doubt' the New Zealand champion (11. A. Parker) will mako a big bid for tho title. Tho result will be keenly looked for by all New Zealand players. Mi*s Gore, of tho Thomdon Club, will be in Sydney diiring the tournament, and will pos»ibly compete in several of tho events. Messrs. M. Frnsor, J. Wilson, and Q. Q. S. Robison nro making tho trip with the Now Zealand team, and they intend competing in sonio of the event* nt the tournament. , Tho Brougham Hill Club's annual meoting will be held on tho Bth inst. in the KunUterraoo Schoolroom, aaid from all accounts the position of tho Club is most satisfactory. The balance-sheet »h«jws a

credit of almut £50, and the membership stands nfc M) 5. Six or eight members liavo resigned, ami the applications for nwniberwhip number about 20. As the Club's limit is 105, the Committee intends moving a motion whereby additional members can bo accepted without interfering with the present members tut regards piny. A club has been formed nt tho nutt, and starts with two grass courts. A report hns it — tho new club will join the Association. Tlie Taita Club is already on the move, and is looking for nialiihes. | The Wellington Club will have a very strong tea-m this season, as several of its crack players, who did not play last year, have given notice that they will bo available during this season. Tho onorgotic Secretary of the Otago Lawn Tennis Association, Mr. Guy Graham, is already afe "work pushing matters regarding tho next New Zealand championship meeting, which is to be held at Dunedin during tho coming Christmas wcok. Ho hopes the meeting will beat tho Napier record for entries. Tho Otago clubs nro particularly activo this season, and will mako a big bid for tho champion banner. Mr. P. A. Vaile, of Auckland, who is at presonb in England, has published a book entitled "Modern Lawn Tennis." Looking casually at a copy lately to hand, I wns at onoo struck with the idea that Mr. Vailo's effort is a good one, but ono thing has been forgotten. Although a New Zealander, he has not thought fib to put New Zealand's roll of honour in the book. This roll could suroly have been obtained. Victoria, Now South Wales, .Canada, Natal, and South Africa aro honoured, also Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, and others, which are no more important possibly than New Zealand. Tho Wellington Lawn Tennis Association holds its annual meoting on the 7bh inst., twid from present appearances will have a busy season. One thing tho Association will have to mako an early start tipoji is the arrangement of tho shield matches. Under last year's arrangement the contest somewhat "fizzled out," as tho Thomdon Club retained tho shiokl without playing a match. Tho most satisfactory plan would be for tho clubs to play one another, as of old, especially tho town clubs, and then tho champion-, town club should meet the champion country club in the final. The challenge round should, without doubt, bo abolished. Sccondi and third teams should bo eucournged, also, to play moro niatchuß. Space forbids going as far into tho matter as ib deserves, bub delegates should make an effort this year to have such an arrangement that others besides tho first six or eight players in a club will be catered for. The game has caught on keenly, bub if the players as a whole are nob given somo consideration tennis will drop back again into a pastime only for a special few. Clubs would give tho sport great assistance if they took care to elect real live delegates, who are not nfrnid of a bit of work. As it is, some aro more drones, who aro always "out of town" any work is to be done, yet beforehand attempt to "run tho show" in their own way, and afterwards inform ono and all "what they would have done." Tho small party of renl workers is getting tired of this stylo of enthusiasm, and is inclined to drop opt. But, for tho sake of the sport, something uhouldi be said at tho annual mooting that will once and for all make the Wellington Lawn Tennis Association abody noted for its tact and all-round general' mnngement. If a good Chairman is elected at tho annual meeting porhivpe thnt would help mutters, and then tho meeting would bo carried through without tho usual waste of time. Something «• needed to prevent all and sun- , dry haviug the floor at the same time.