TENNIS NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1147, 22 October 1924, Page 9

TENNIS NOTES.

THE GAME 1 .OCAELY

(By “('ross-( ’oiirt.”) Although it is yet early in the season to I make uccurulc forecasts, it is sate to sa} that the universal evidence of tint increasing popularity of tennis is plainly discernible also in Hie -Wanuwatu district. | Perhaps tint most notable local case, in point is tliat of tile Palmerston North Tennis Club which, in order to cater tor the increasing need for larger accommodation, last season laid down and grassed six new courts, making a total of fourteen in alb The club also purposes laying down bomo hard courts as soon as funds permit. In addition improvements have been effected lor the benefit of spectators. The pavilion has been shifted had; and an alleywav provided in order tliat those arriving at any stage of play shall not pass in front of | spectators, b either, it is proposed to con* I struct a balcony which will afford another ; vantage point. At the opening on Satur- ! day there was a large attendance of old anil new members, but the inclement weather militated against any serious play. I Andrews, the hoy champion, was seen in a fiiendly game, hut was ““oil” his game. It is understood, (hough, tliat fie has done little wiiii the racquet during the winter, and when lie gets back to form some sensational | buttle** may lie expected. Kefercnce to Andrews brings to mind the fart that the Wellington provincial championships are now almost certain to lie held on tin; Linton street courts in January, and the local champion can he relied upon In he at hi* best on his own ground. The important fixture is the alfair of the season so far as this province is concerned, and, for that, matter, awakes interest much fttr- ! liter afield, for visitors from l Hugo, < 'liristehureh, Ilawkc’s Bay and other distant quarters will make the journey to Palmerston North. The Palmerston North Club is to be congratulated on its enterprise and eagerness to secure for this town the provincial fixture, which if lias handled with ; conspicuous success in past years. With its new courts, the Palmerston North Club accepted a great number of new members, so that it now has an active membership of about 220, as compared with 140 last year. In his speech at the ofiiciul opening, the president, I)r. JO. ('. Barnett, stated that lie expected the season to close with a playing membership of about 260. ()f course, this means that there lias been a considerable drain on the membership of other clubs within the borough, many of the best players of the smaller ones going over to the leading club where they can, perhaps, more easily improve their play by meeting the best exponents in the district. That was only only to be expected, but on all hands there are reports of increased membership, so that from a point of view of clubs’ numerical strength tlie position is not affected. Terrace End Bowling, Croquet, and Tennis Club also opened on Saturday, its tennis lawns are superbly conditioned and a .good season is ensured. During the winter one of the two asphalt courts was torn up and the space used to complete a croquet green, which is now ready for play. The North Street Club also is happy in the possession of well conditioned courts and the membership list is stated to be greatly augmented. Alanawutii was one of the few clubs which opened in fine weather. The grass courts, though leaving a little to he desired, arc in much batter order than at tiie time of opening last year. The two i

bitumen corn'll nqvr only await■"the coat of surfacing, an operation which occupies about four days’ work.. The. material sods with remarkable rapidity, and it is expected that the courts so laid down will be ready for play at an early date. The club "will have a winter membership in connection with these additions. Takaro Club, which has earned an enviable reputation as being debt free in its second year of operation, was oile of the earliest to open. The hard courts have been steadily patronised, though at the time of opening the turf areas lacked preparation. The- club lias under review a proposal to considerably extend its accommodation and is probably the most favourably situated in Palmerston North in this connection. Its pavilion and general appointments are a model. Although a small club, West End possesses an energetic coterie of workers and is expected, as formerly, to remain in the forefront of inter-club matches. VARIOUS NOTES.

It is interesting to note that the courts of the United Club at Hagley Park, Christchurch, number 28, while there are two bowling greens and four full-sized croquet lawns. A new pavilion has been opened this year, and it is said that this playground has no rival in Australia or New Zealand, either in the matter of size or situation.

It is not yet known whether the French tennis players who are to visit Australia iri January are coining to the Dominion. States the Christchurch Star: The laws of the game contain nothing about the measurement of the lawn tennis racquet. A player can use a racquet any size, »hape. weight, material or other physical peculiarity. Yet racquets are practically all alike in measurements.