LAWN TENNIS SEASON.

Northern Advocate, 30 October 1916, Page 1

LAWN TENNIS SEASON.

WHANGAREI CLUB'S OPENING DAY.

Brilliant weather accompanied the inaugural day of the Whangarei Lawn Tennis Club season on Saturday last, and at .'> p.m. the picturesque playing enclosure was gaily brisk with the

movements of contestants, the swish of racquets, and flight of balls. Response to invitations had been made by members of the Kaiuo, Maunu, and Mairtown clubs, and all six courts were con-

tiiiuonsly occupied in the settling of

'•friendly" sets. The lawns and surrounding grounds have never looked better, and the sward was quite pleasantly playable, though naturally larking consolidation after its lenghty spell and giving more resilience than component with ideal match conditions.

Mr R. C. M. Harington, in his presidential capacity, attended to the official formality "without which no club of standing may consider its season duly started. The president congratulated the members of the club and other participants in the day's sport on the perfect weather conditions which smiled on the occasion. He welcomed both new and old members, and was glad to greet the attendance of those who belonged to other clubs. The membership of the Whangarei Club was now about 60, though mostly composed of ladies, "he was sorry to say ,, (Laughter and Oh, oh!) This remark the president qualified by saying that he regretted the situation being due to the departure of so many male members for the front. They had lost no fewer than 15 members in that way, two others were about to depart in the persons of Messrs Briggs and Grut, and it looked as if the club might consist altogether of ladies (Hear hear, from the ladies). He thanked the ladies' committee for their kindness in the provision of afternoon tea that day and for the invariable attention they had paid to the club's interest, and he wished all a propitious and successful season. (Applause). Refreshments were then partaken of, followed by mixed tests of skill on the courts until the approach of evening called a halt and dispersal.