LAWN TENNIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 8356, 19 December 1887, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS .

CHAMPIONSHIP OF NEW ZEALAND. At a Committee meeting held on Saturday, it was decided that the time for entries for the handicap events and Combined Doubles at the approaching Tournament be extended to 8 p.m. this day. The entries for these events are hardly so numerous as the Committee had reason to expect, and it woold assist the management if more local players entered for the minor events to fill up the time between the heats of the various competitions. It was also determined to draw the heats at 171, Hereford street, at 8 o’clock this evening, and any competitors who so desire will be at liberty to attend. A band will be in attendance on each afternoon. The champion competitions will commence punctually on Thursday, the first day of the meeting. The entries for the Championship of New Zealand are very satisfactory, eighteen gentlemen having entered, comprising the best players of the Colony. Auckland will bo represented by the well-known cricketer, Mr W. E. Barton ; Hawke’s Bay will send Mr P. C. Fenwicke, the present champion of New Zealand; his brother (Mr M. Fenwicke), and Messrs Logan, Kennedy, and H. Williams ; Messrs Goring, Ridings, and C. F. Ross will play for Wellington; Messrs G. Richarson, C. and G. J. Gillies, and Dr Batchelor, for Dunedin; Mr W, TosswiU for Timaru ; while the home team for the singles will consist cf Messrs Ross, Groasmann, Wilding, and E. P. Black. For the Ladies’ Championship there are eight entries—Miss Campbell and Mis George, of Wellington; Miss Hilda Hatchings, of Napier; Miss Orbell and Miss R. Ox bell, of Dunedin; and Miss E. Harman, Miss Temple, and Miss E, Gordon, of Canterbury. Combinations of the same players will compete in the double-handed contest with the addition of Mr James Allen and W. P. Reeves, M.H.R.’a, who will represent the Wellington Parliamentary Club. A full list of the entries, the result of the draw, and the handicaps, will be published in due course. Courts will be marked out at Lancaster Park for the use of competitors who have entered.

The Canterbury players may be expected to hold their own with the visitors, but Messrs Fenwicke of Napier are looked upon as the most likely to carry off the Championship. We append short notes on the characteristics of the Canterbury players. Miss Temple. —Plays a remarkably hard and dashing game. Her service is very good, and her returns generally severe. A thoroughly experienced player, and has represented Canterbury with great success on several occasions in interprovincial contests.

Miss E. Haeman. —Belongs to a family distinguished in the cricket and football field. Has also taken part in interprovincial contests with distinction. Plays with excellent patience and judgment. IMfiss E- Gordon.-— ln double-handed contests Miss Gordon is, perhaps, the strongest l(j,dy player in New Zealand, her net play being remarkably accurate and severe. She is not so strong in the single game, but still will prove a formidable opponent for any of the visiting ladies. Mb E. J. Boss.—The present holder of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Club’s Challenge Cup. A very brilliant but somewhat erratic performer; vollies with severity, uncertain in his service, covers a good deal of ground, somewhat lacking in steadiness, but in his present form is considered the strongest player in the South Island. Plays with Mr Grossman in the doubles, both players in that competition volleying from the service line. Mb F. Wilding. —The winner of the Canterbury Tennis Cup in 1885. A strong player against odds, active and untiring, covers a great deal of ground, and will make a warm contest for anyone who beats him. Hoes not practise enough to do himself full justice. Plays with Mr It. D. Harman in the doubles, Mr Harman playing on the hack line, Mr Wilding playing between the service line and the net —a strong combination. Mr J. P. Gbossmann. —A very improving player. Has never yet won a prize, but is considered nearly, if not quite, equal to Mr Boss. Vollies better than anyone else in Canterbury, and, if he infused a lit,tie more energy into his play, ought soon ,to occupy the premier position here. s Mb E. F. Blaok.— Not so well known fs a player in Canterbury as in Nelson, where

we understand he has achieved great distinction. Plays with great steadiness and agility. His service is rather weak. Has shown capital form in practice. Short notes of the leading foreign players will appear in subsequent issues.