OLD TENNIS TROPHY

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume 5, Issue 5, 13 December 1935, Page 5

OLD TENNIS TROPHY

Rangiora Resident Was First Holder WANGANUI CLUB’S ANSON CUP The history of what may well be one of the oldest lawn tennis trophies in the world can be followed, down the years in a clipping sent to the “Gazette” by Mr W. E. Barton, the first holder of the Wanganui Tennis Club’s Anson Cup. Wanganui Club is erne of the oldest lawn tennis organisations in the world. Mr Barton was the first winner of the trophy in 1882. He has always taken a prominent part in sport. Soon after winning the Cup be went to Auckland and that year took part in the Auckland cricket team’s tour of New Zealand. He won the Auckland provincial tennis championship from 1882 to 1885 and then went to Whangarei. His first game of tennis was played at Dunn’s Hill House, 'WiUsborough, Ashford, Kent, in 1877. In 1912 be returned to England and played a= game on the same court —after 35 years. In that year he saw Anthony Wilding win both the Queen’s Club and Wimbledon tournaments. In those days, Air Barton told the “Gazette,” volleying and overhead serving were not much in vogue. In fact, only one lady then was able to pat an overhead smash, and she was thought wonderful. Very different wa 9 the play in 1927, when Cocliet and Helen Wills were the winners. Tn 191*2 Air Barton easily secured a good seat for 5/-. Not so in 1927. “The centre court was like a rat pit—badly crowded by standing thousands. Many ladies fainted and most of us had to stand still from' 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; afraid to move a yard for fear of losing our places.” The overhead service was unknown

in New Zealand until 1883 or 1884, when Eric Hudson, of the New Zealand Insurance Company, came to Auckland from Bombay. His overhead smashes and services caused quite a stir at the time. Following are extracts from tlie “Wanganui Chronicle”, of November 27. “It is not generally known that one of the oldest tennis trophies in the world is held in Wanganui, by the Wanganui Club—the Anson Cup, which was presented by Dr Anson in 1881. Ever since that year the trophy has been competed for annually, together with an opal necklace which Dr Anson donated as a ladies’ handicap trophy. The cup he gave as a trophy for men’s handicap singles and in the list of winners there are many names familiar to lawn tennis enthusiasts, past and present.” “W. E. Barton, 1882,” heads a complete list of holders of the trophy. “A few year's ago some of the older members of the Wanganui Club, realising that their club was one of the oldest in the world, endeavoured to “dig up” authentic records such as old minute books, photographs, etc., but unfortunately without much success. From some of its past members it was gleaned that the club was oi'iginally founded by some of the military officers attached to the garrison stationed here in the early days. “The committee are most anxious to obtain any information pertaining to the past history of the club and should this article come to the notice of any old member who has old photographs or other records of interest the committee will be pleased if they will forward or hand them to the secretary, Mr N. R. Rain, or Air N. B. Barkman.”

Dixon 6; Alesdames Ballinger and Little 6 Alesdames Chambers and Bradley 2. Alixed Doubles—Aliss Ford and J. Shepherd 3, Aliss A. Dixon and Thomas 6; Miss Ballinger and Piki 6, Aliss K. Dixon and R. Bradley 2; Airs Ballinger and K. Shepherd 6, Mrs Chambers and. E. Bradley' 2; Airs Little and L. Ford 1, Airs R. Bradley and R. Bennett 6. Teams for To-morrow KAIAPOI CLUB Seniors v. Oxford at Oxford (cars leave at 1 p.m.) : Aliss N. Taylor, Airs J. S. Baker, Misses P. . Pearce, M. Phillip", Alessrs AL Lilloy, G. Hirst, A. Hirst. Intermediate: Kaiapoi won by default from Woodend. THE LADDERS Miss B. Kennedy defeated Miss T. Edliu (challenger) 9-6 in a ladder match last night.