WIMBLEDON DOOMED

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 4 May 1888, Page 3

WIMBLEDON DOOMED

Wimbledon is doomed as a place of rifle shooting. The National Association has at last received notice to quit. The Duke of Cam* bridge has definitely refused to sell the hundred and odd acres required for the ranges, and they must be removed this year. The Duke was, no doubt, well within his rights in coming to this decision, more particularly as the original tenancy was accepted on those terms, but, after all, due allowance has been made for the vested interests of the

landlord, his refusal must be deeply .deplored. An opinion prevails skat a very serious blow has been struck at the great annual meeting of national marksmen, and that it will be nearly impossible to replace Wimbledon. Ono of the indis-

pensable conditions for its popularity seems to be proximity to London, and there is no other suitable site vailable near the metropolis. So fully is this felt that a final appeal is to be made to the Duke of Cambridge to sell the whole, and not merely the part, of Wimbledon. A very large sum would be needed for thi?j but hopeful people think it might be obtained, and every effort should be tried to save such a highly useful national institution.