TENNIS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 November 1924, Page 10

TENNIS.

So far, conditions for tennis throughout Taranaki have been exceptionally good, and members of all clubs have taken full advantage of the opportunity for practice. The result should be a general Improvement in the form'of players. The Taranaki competitions commenced to-day, and it is to be regretted that only three clubs have entered from the southern end. These competitions would give players in various clubs the opportunity of playing in matches with other teams, and would thus materially increase interest. Hawera and Eltham can botli put in good teams, and the result Would have been to have added a great deal to the interest of the competitions.

A very pretty corner of Hawera is that occupied by the Hawera Tennis and Croquet Club’s courts and lawns. Anyone who remembers the old wild paddocks with the rough gully between the old courts and the new will realise the wonderful transformation affected. The land after being acquired by the club was leased to l the Chinese and cultivated as a vegetable garden, and mighty fine crops, it may be added by the way, were taken off the plot. After a few years in that tenancy, pact of the property was put down in courts an d later the balance, till now the club has there an excellent property from every point of view. They owe a great deal to the pioneers of- tennis in Hawera.

Although the club has suffered many losses through their good players leaving the district, it is good to be able to report that a number of young and able players have joined the ranhs of the club, who will strengthen it materially.

A young member who has gained a reputation in the district where he was located previously, and who promises to be one of the best is Torrens of the local staff of the Bank of New Zealand. He is young and enthusiastic, and his joining has filled one of the vacancies created by the transference of last year’s players. . The club are losing a useful member in Hoben who, during the brief period he was in Hawera promised to be of great service to the club in the position fl° n - Seceretary. He was also one ot the best players and his loss will be severely , felt. He is leaving to join the legal staff of the Public Trust office ip Wellington, and members will wish him success in every way in his new sphere of work.

A new lady member, Miss Nutting, from one'of the North. Taranaki Clubs has joined the club, and will considerably strengthen the ladies’ team. Her present form indicates that she has prospects of distinct possibilities of developing into an outstanding player Practice with strong players'” of the men s club would give her the opportunity for that development. As the club have not entered for the la-ranalii competitions it is hoped they willarrange as many outside matches as possible with other clubs, and s o sustain the keMCst interest of members. Ihe park Club are exceptionally well treated bv the Borough authorities, and nave a series of very nice courts. They are now launching a scheme for a pavilion and feel confident that they will be able to carry through the oroiect to a supecessful issue.

It will be good news to players all * he ‘hsfirtet to know that Mrs. \\ mtehead, better known formerly as Miss Lucy Powdrell, who was at one time runner-up for the Dominion chamlonship has once more taken uo tennis and will play for her old dub at Patea! Her presence will greatly strengthen them m their matches with the other clubs.

Now that the beach season is just about to start, an enthusiast has suggested that a move should be made to secure some area for forming courts down there. The number of householders has increased considerably and is, likely to increase, and the seaside resort is bound to become more popular every year. The suggestion seems worthy of support, and if a small charge be set played could be made, the proposal would bring in considerable revenue, .teme of our native friends might take the hint, thus converting unused land to a revenue producing proposition. Another suggestion made some time ago was that a certain portion of the Education Reverves should be earmarked as a snortsground. This is also worth the Beach committee’s notice Says a correspondent in a wayback district in the North:—“A few enthusdistrict in the north:—-A few enthus-

iasts are also looking for a site for a tennis court up till now with no success. Level ground is at a premium and somewhere rather far from Waitangi must satisfy the club that is in process of formation. In trie meantime the summer. sports are cricket and ping pong. The latter is as rife as the epidemic of the same thing about 20 years &go.” The club is putting down a concrete wicket, it is good to see that these sports are spreading to this district where one hardly expects to find them. In such places they must be a godsend. One of the events, in the tennis world if Taranaki, which adds a fillip to the game here is the annual fixture ‘with Wellington. The present arrangement fixes the matches for New Plymouth, on Saturday, December.l3. The Wellington Association originally suggested next Monday (December 1) as a suitable date, but the Taranaki Association found that it would be difficult to fulfil an engagement on that day chiefly owing to. the fact that Wallace and Dickie would not be available. Wellington has since notified that the later date is suitable.

Discussing the likely players for the match, the Wellington Post critic said the Wellington team would most likely be:—L. France, Barkman, Parker, Wheeler, Eoden and Salmond. D. France, who is in Christchurch, will hardly be available, but Smyth may be up here from Otago, in time to go, if picked. Eoden was successful in a Challenge match against Salmon last week. He was very sure and quick at the net, and that, mostly was where he secured the advantage over his opponent. On the play there was very little between the two players, but the winner is an improving player, and should go still higher. DOMINION MEETING. Mrs. Spiers (the lady champion) will be at Auckland to defend her title, While Sims (the men’s champion) is also coming north. It is hoped that Miss Lloyd, of New South Wales, is coming across, and in the ladies’ doubles she will probably have as partner Mrs. Spiers or Miss Macfarlane of Auckland.

The following dates have been sanctioned by the New Zealand Association :

New Zealand championships.—Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, at Auckland. Southland championship.— Dec. 25, 26 and 27, at Invercargill. Marlborough championship.—Dec. 25, 26 and 27, at Blenheim. Noi'th Otago championships.—Dec. 25. 26 and 27, at Oanmru. Canterbury Open Tournament.—Dec. 26. 27, 29 and 3Q, at Christchurch. South'Canterbury championships.— Jan. 1,2, and 3, at Timaru. Wanganui championships.-—Jan. 1,2, and 3, at Wanganui. Taranaki championships.—Jan. 6,7, 8, and 9. at New Plymouth.

Wellington championships.—'Jan 13, 14, and 15. at Palmerston North.

Auckland championships’.—Jan. '29, 30 and 31, at Auckland.