LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13355, 8 December 1906, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS.

It behoves, the* officials of the local association to ; bestir themselves early, if ;• we are to have the Now Zealand championship j meeting of 1907-8 in Auckland. It is now- ! many years since outside players of note have been attracted here, and as it is probable that the Dohertys will be in the colonies next season no effort should' be spared to have this important fixture allocated to us. It is out turn, but unless precautions are taken to urge our claims early it is quite likely that the powers in 'Wellington will be successfully approached by some other centre. I understand that Auckland is represented by one delegate only on the New Zealand Council. The other large, associations send five delegates, and they roll up generally. Why should we, who are entitled to equal representation with Wellington, Christchurch, etc., be practically an unknown quantity in the deliberations of the governing body? It is quite time that arrangements were made for five reliable delegates to safeguard Auckland's interests. Another matter which should command the immediate attention of the new-ly-elected executive- is the small number of clubs affiliated to the association. Wellington musters 30 clubs, town and country, and it certainly makes for the best interests of the game when all are united in helping in the affairs and control of tenuis. The general excuse for not joining the association appears to be that no advantage is to be gained by eo doing. But surely this is a selfish view to take. Not only are the members of the affiliated clubs entitled to all privileges as to tournaments, for which they otherwise could not enter, but the general progress of the game is assisted. All players who have the game at heart should endeavour to get the club to which they belong to join the governing body, and so do something to further the efforts made by those at the head of affairs to popularise the pastime. 1 trust that the officers of the suburban and country -lubs will note these remarks, and by falling into line with those already affiliated reduce somewhat the great margin at present existing between Auckland's number compared with Wellington. L. A. Longuet (West End) will be a competitor at the Christchurch meeting, playing with Paterson in the doubles. Welcome rain fell during the week, just as it was badly wanted. All lawns show the benefit gained. . . The decision of the local association to make the fixture with Taranaki an annual one should be hailed with delight by alt players. Wellington and Canterbury have had a similar arrangement for some time, and the contest is always looked forward to with pleasure. . The Cambridge Club has affiliated with the Auckland Association. The- other country clubs should lose no time in following the good example. The association has arranged with Mr. Jas. Stewart (Eden and Epsom) to act as secretary of the committee for the, Christmas tournament. As there is no time to be lost he is putting preliminaries in hand at once. . ! Masterton and Pahiatua announce, their annual championship and handicap tournaments, to be held at the New Year. Auckland is backward in the matter of tournaments. All other centres, and even several country towns, hold a successful gathering annually. Here it is the practice to play championship events at odd times through the season, and a handicap meeting is brought off separately. The latter even was neglected for some years, but there may be hope that in the near future the competitions under the control of the local association will bo conducted on a scale more in keeping with the position which tennis holds amongst outdoor pastimes here. I know that in the past the New Zealand council has been chary of granting permits for tournaments which clash with the New Zealand championship meeting. But, seeing that we are so far North and that it is unlikely many players can make the long trip South, it appears that were we represented in full strength on the governing body there .would be every likelihood of suitable dates during the holidays being granted. The Auckland lawn tennis tournament should be the tennis event of the season. _ {, Many fresh faces will appear in the field for the inter-olub matches, the Auckland Club especially having to draw several, of their team-from amongst new members.' Great interest is being taken in the interclub competition, which starts to-day. .The teams chosen to represent the various clubs appeared in yesterday's Hekalu. Players should watch for information as to these fixtures in the Herald on the Friday previous to the dates arranged for matches. The prospectus for the handicap tournament, to be held at Christmas time by the local association, is in my hands. The events are practically on the same lines as last season. Entries close on Thursday, 20th inst. Play starts on the 29th hist:, and will be continued on the 31st and the two following days. Intending competitors should take steps to arrange- for partners at, once, so that practice together tan be obtained. Eden and. Epsom, West End, and Parnell will probably score in their respective engagements to-day. There should, however, bo some interesting play. Two matches in particular will attract attention, viz., the A grade ladies' Misses Gorrie and Rice v. Mrs. Cooper and Miss Harvey, at Eden and Epsom, and on the West End lawns the Misses Nicholson v. Misses IPicken and Woodroffe. The first-named pair will probably win in each instance, but two good contests should be seen.

Amongst the players representing Eden and Epsom will be noted the name of I'. A. Vaile. His reappearance in the local arena will be greeted with pleasure after his long absence. ■ . < * ■ -\