LAWN TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 120, 16 November 1929, Page 24

LAWN TENNIS

Mr "Huka-INTER-CLUB MATCHES

THIRDS AND INTERMEDIATE

SUCCESSFUL DAY AT MIRAMAR

The Wellington Association's interclub matches were started last Saturday at Miramar Grounds, when five third grade matches (one lost by default unfortunately) and two intermediate grade matches were played. In the third grade a good contest took place between Seatoun and Island Bay, and, although the former won by 10 matches to 6, the games were close — 96 to 92. Brougham Hill and Talavera were level in matches, but the former secured a win by 12 games. Khandallah 's team was too good for Wadestown, and the suburban club's team looks like a good tip for the third grade championship. Miramar Grounds won by 11 matches to 5 from Lyall Bay, but the contest was a close one, as the games denote, 87 to 74, although the winners defaulted two of the mixed doubles. Eongotai won from Newtown by default. The latter club was holding its opening day, and members possibly would not miss what is locked upon as the "big day of the season. In the intermediate grade events Victoria did well to score 10 matches tv Eawhiti's 6. The games were 104 to 82. The surprise of the series was the ..defeat of Brougham' Hill's earn Trinity, with a well-balanced team, won 11 matches to 5, 100 games to 82. There was a cold nip in the air with showers during the afternoon in the city, but at the Hutt the afternoon was very pleasant, although about 5 o'clock rain fell for a short period. Players are now showing .improved form, and all are taking advantage of the extra half-hour of daylight during the evenings to get in some practice—that is those who are eager to improve their game, with a view to doing well in clu\, and other events. Lower Hutt Club., Last Saturday the Lower Hutt Club declared its season opened. The club's grounds are situated in the new Government settlement that has lately come into being, towards ,the eastern side fcf the Lower Hutt, and it is quite evident that the club has the finest club ground in tne Wellington district. In all there are ten courts—six hard and tour grass—all'of which were in n se on Saturday. There is still room for' two more grass courts, one for doubles and the other for singles. The ground is prettily situated, with young fastgrowing trees showing to advantage It is in the centre of a district which is already thickly dotted with many bonny homes in. the making. Sir Alexander Roberts, Mayor of Hutt, who declared the club's grounds and the season open for play, in a racy speech told" how the club came to be in such an advanced position, and he also apologised for the absence of the Hon. T. M. Wilford, K.C., who wished- the club all good luck. The Mayor explained thatthe ground was a Government reserve and it was with the backing of the Hutt County Council and the decision of the Government that the ground! was obtained for the sport. Then Mr. G. A. Chapman, from the very start pnt hia weight behind the scheme, and such was his enthusiasm and hard work that he quickly had everybody in the valley interested. Progress was rapid and Messrs. J. B. Thompson, Undersecretary for Lands, Sir.Alexander Boberts, E. P. Bunny, who by the way is president of the club, J. M. Power, M. B. Denniston, the latter pair now being vice-presidents of the club, all assisted in their several ways to put the club m the proud position of having one of the finest club grounds in the Dominion. Only a few Barnes have been mentioned, but it is very clear that many t>ther hard workers have been, and are still, behind the scheme. Opinions were generally expressed that it was to the Government and the County Council that the tennis players as a whole were eager to thank, more especially the latter. The grass courts, played fast and true, and when one considers that Saturday was the first time they were played upon, they stood up to the test well, and gave satisfaeion to Len and Don France, Cam. Malfroy, and Noel Wilson, four of the Wellington Association's star players, who journeyed out from the city, and played an exhibition doubles match. About two hundred players and spectators were present; and although nine other courts were ready for play, not a soal lifted a racquet until that doubles match was over. The city champions played well, Don. France in particular sending over some wonderful services. In the last game- he quickly scored four aces with slashing, well-placed services. The club has already close upon two hundred memoers, and as the limit is 250, the Mayor's advice to the residents to get their applications in early for membership should be acted upon at once. The Wellington Association was represented by G. N. Gbldie, vice-president, who expressed admiration and delight at seeing such splendid grass courts and such wall laid-out grounds with the additional hard courts. Tennis players in the city congratulate the players of the Valley for their enterprise and enthusiasm. M. J. Power is secretary of the club. ! Council Meeting. The quarterly meeting of the New Zealand Association was well attended by delegates last Monday evening. Mr. J. C. Peacockj a vice-president of the association, was in the chair. Many expected a hot discussion over the application of the Wellington Association tor a loan of £500 towards the purchase of their steel grandstand, but when it was made clear to the meeting by Mr. A. G. Henderson, chairman of the management . committee, that the rules.were quite clear upon the point,and that the committee had made a perfectly satisfactory . arrangement with the Wellington Association, and also that any other association's application for a loan would get the same careful consideration, the meeting'supported the application. The "Cinderella" association had the sympathy of all except Canterbury, and the delegates of that" association, although directed to* vote against the application, advanced no valid reasons for so doing. G. Gore, only just baefc from a trip abroad, told the. meeting that he was directed to vote against theapplication, and said no more; but one could see that was really net his personal opinion. Canterbury's other delegate, L. J. B«rry, was absent, but his proxy proclaimed th*t he was against chattel security, though he did not say why—he could not. His sole attempt to secure the support of the meeting was by asking what condition would the steel stand be in after ten years of contending with Wellington's winds. It was really no argument, but only a cheap gibe which would have lost votes had there been any to lose. The Wellington Association's "glass slipper" is unbroken, and the time does not appear far distant when it will be laid side by side with its once lost mate. Thanks were expressed by the Wellington delegates to the many associations for their kindly assistance and sympathy in what has been a hard struggle with a big scheme, which is now beginning to show that it will be a great asset to tennis, not only in Wellington but for the whole of the Dominion.