TENNIS CHAMPIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 111, 6 November 1935, Page 13

TENNIS CHAMPIONS

MRS. NORMAN BROOKES

COLLECTOR OF TREASURES

"I must confess that I am very proud ofijour young people," said Mrs. Norman fßrookes, who visited Auckland in company with her husband, manager tbf the Australian Davis Cup team an'd> former Australian and world's tennis • champion, on their return to Australia by the Lurline from a seven raortths' tour abroad. . "They are charmingl and perfectly mannered," continued Mrs. Brookes, during a conversation with a "New Zealand Herald" reporter, "and when an Australian or aVNew Zealander comes on to the couru you feel very' confident that he willjdo his job in a well-man-nered and sporting way, without any fuss or display." Mrs. Brookjes, her husband, and three daughters, were invited guests .to the recent Royal\ Jubilee celebrations in London. Ne^w Zealanders and Australians abroaydjshe said, made her feel proud of bein^| associated with. them.

Tony Wilding had done a great Ideal towards giving New Zealanders *Sv reputation for well-mannered sportsmanship and this impression was being WJrther enhanced by "Buster" Andrews, Cain. Malfroy, and A. Stedman. [She considered Miss Joan Hartigan was one of the neatest and most impro\lad players she had met in her experienfco of tennis players. 4 LIFE IN LONDON. | Aftpr eight ■ years ■ away from Lot* don, Mrs. Brookes said,* she felt truljb as though shethad come:• homeiwher. she landed there.' Life in London was a busy rounds of; entertainments, 'renewing old friendships,- and revisiting, old and favourite places. Mrs. Brookes's eldest daughter, Lady Gengoult Smith, whose husband is a former Lord Mayor of Melbourne, accompanied her to London, but spent most of her time in Edinburgh, where her husband was doing research work. Mrs. Brookes recently renounced the engagement of her second daughter, Elaine, to Mr. Reginald Bessemer Clark, grandson of Sir Henry Bessemer Clark, well-known,for Bk discoveries in- steel. The marri-.se will take place in the Melbourr.s Cathedral on January 7, after which the young couple will visit Auckland on their return to London, where they will live at Carrington House. Mrs. Brookes said she was not greatly impressed with women's dressing in London and she had decided to have her her daughter's trousseau and the dresses of the twelve bridesmaids made in Melbourne. Naturally interested in tennis and all tennis players, both Mr. and Mrs. Brookes are eagerly looking forward to the day when their third and youngest daughter. Hersey, will be playing championship tennis. At present she is very young, but is improving rapidly and is just bordering on first-class play. COLLECTING ANTIQUES. "I am afraid collecting bits is my hobby," said' Mrs. Brookes in describing some of the beautiful antiques she had "picked up" in London. She is taking home to Melbourne a beautiful old spinnet, an old and wellpreserved Chippendale table, and various articles of furniture in early French walnut. She is especially proud of her_ collection of old silver, and while in London she managed to secure several pieces of George II silver. One of her most treasured discoveries was a Chippendale chair she managed to secure in' Eastbourne. It. once was the property of the Duke of Wellington. At the Y.W.C.A., Boulcott Street, on Friday there will be an unusual exhibition and sale o£ genuine Morris chintzes and tapestries. William Morris has been known for 100 years as a master craftsman. Seldom are his products imported into this country as they are usually somewhat expensive. This shipment was sent to the Y.W.C.A. to sell on behalf of national funds by an anonymous donor in Geneva. They are suitable for chair-covers, curtains, hangings, bedspreads, etc., and are to be sold at bargain prices. The exhibition will be open all day on Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. At 3 o'clock Miss Irvine Smith will give a short talk on "William Morris, His Life and Work," and all visitors will be welcomed. Afternoon tea will be obtainable.