LAWN TENNIS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 20 December 1913, Page 11

LAWN TENNIS.

COMING FIXTURES.

December 25, 26 and 27.—Marlborough championships and handicap tournament, at Blenheim. December 26, 27, 29 and 30.—Ndw Zealand champiojships. at Eden and Ji.psom ftourt?, Auckland. December 26 and 27.—Hawke's Bay championships and handicap tournament, at Hastings. December 26 and 27.—Rangitikei Asso- . ciation's tournament, at Marton December3l and January I.—Auckland liixmbition championship doubles and handicap tournament, at Remuera courts. January 1 and 2.—Pahiatua championships and handicap, at Pahiatua. January 13, 14 and 15.—Taranaki championship and handicap tournament, at Hawera. | January 20 (about).—Dannevirke championships and handicaps, at Dannevirke. January 22 and 23.—Wellington provincial championships, at Masterton.

In a ladder match plajed during the <yeek at the New Plymouth Club, 01----hvier beat Thompson 9—B. The Rangitikei Association is holding its sixth tournament on December. 26 and 27. There are nine events on the programme, and good prizes are given _ The Taranaki Herald has the following notes on the Dominion championships : Doust is. coming from Australia to take part in the New Zealand championships at Auckland at Christmas time, and there is also a probability that H. A. Parker will once more be there. R. N. K. Swanston, the holder of the championship, is practising hard, and will defend his title. . Ollivier, ex-champion, leaves next week for Auckland, and hopes to get in some useful practice before the tournament. The Hon. F. M: B, Fisher will also take part in tho tournament, but as yet his Parliamentary duties have prevented him fron gettiig much practice. However, Fisher is a player who requires little or no preparation to get into form. J. C. Peacock is not to be a competitor. L. S. Jennings and H. M. Butterworth, of Wanganui, were regarded as pertain starters, but there now seems some doubt as to their ability to get there. The former, player has improved so much during the last year that it would surprise few people if ho had a big say in the destination of the championship, assuming, of course, that he is able to compete. Of the outside competitors, H. A. Parker is regarded as a certainty, and will pair with Fisher in the doubles. The ex-:New Zealander has this' year recovered much of his old form, and must always be considered as a very dangerous opponent. In addition the majority of the foremost Auckland players >are intending to compete, and a really successful tournament is assured. Miss A. Gray is practising hard to defend her title as lady champion of New Zealand and is showing good form. In the doubles championship Miss Gray will be without her old partner Miss Travers, and will this year be partnered by Miss Baird. Miss Hartgill amd Miss Travers are unlikely starters. Play on the local courts has been very much a minus quantity for over a week. Players naturally chafed impatiently. In common with other sports, however, they are getting resigned to the deprivation^ and hoping that perhaps Christmas will be clear.