LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13390, 19 January 1907, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

'I'll.- heavy nun- during the week have freshened up all the lawns beautifully and given a good chance for rolling. Some of the grounds ivtrn badly in need of moisluie, being very parched and worn. The lowlying courts had too much of a damping and these will take .some trine to recover and be tit for play.

The inter-eluh competition i- to lie resumed today, the fixtures being a- follow-: —-Kdeli ami Fu.-oin v. Auckland, West Hud v. Oiiehunga, and Devoiiport v. Parnell.

The Auckland competitors at the Taramiki toiiriiamenl speak highly of the hospitality and attention shown them by the officialof the a-sociatiou. A most enjoyable time appears to have been spent by all. Referring to tin- Taranaki v. Auckland contest. 1 hear that both W. A. Brown and A. S. V. Brown should have won their singles if showing their true form; probably they were put off by change of conditions, as -> many visiting team- in oilier games besides tenuis often tire. I have it on good authority that if a good illever, such as Mrs. Cooper or .Mis- P. Gorrie, had been in eluded among the ladies, the banner would certainly have com.. to Auckland.

A prominent player who took part, in the New Zealand championship meeting' at Christchurch inform- me that the courts were, with the exception of one reserved for big matt lies, very poor. The same gentleman mentions that Fisher gave a fine display when first meeting Heath, the Victorian. He considers thai with preparation the Wellington man would prove a hard nut for the best of them to crack.

According to " Ulrica,'-' writing in tinKvening Post, it .is on the cares that in future championship events only will be decided at the Now Zealand meetings.

I hear that Mr. Flic Taylor, who was secretary of the New Zealand Tournament. Committee, is laid up in a private hospital. Fvidenlly the .-train of work was too much for him, as he was indisposed before the meeting opened. Tennis-players throughout the colony will sympathise with Mr. Taylor, and hope for his speedy recovery. Mrs. (Joldio, wife of the popular secretary of the New Zealand Association, won the singles championship at Pahiatua, and also accounted for Ihe lathes' doubles, part--red by Mrs. Westall. Tin- men's singles championship was annexed by KblTett, who bent: Adams in the final. The latter i- a well-known visitor to country meetings, when- he often scoop* the pool. .Some three years hark f -aw Kbbett at Hastings. He was then a new player of the steady, plodding type. but. a hard man to tackle, 'te appear- to have developed a vigorous style now, ami if this is so we should hear of him again. All reports point to Wallace, of Tarauaki, being a much improved player and, knowing as I do bis tine stamina, accuracy, and versatility, T should say he is the one man in New Z .'aland to step into 11. A. Parker's shoes.

Jt i- surely time that some announcement was made by the local association as to a. championship competition. Unless steps arc taken to get this going without delay a big risk will be incurred of bad weather interfering with the final stage-. Keith's style is such that anyone meeting him for tin-, first time is nonplussed. It is evident, however, that Wallace got his measure fairly quickly at New Plymouth. All the Auckland player'- tried to do too much, as. in addition to engaging in the championship events and the banner contest, they took part in the handicaps. .Many of our prominent players were, practically run to a standstill, being without training of any kind, Grossman, although still retaining his brilliancy (and few have his knowledge of the game), is unable to last out a long day's tennis against strong opponents. The Devonport lawn- received an extra drenching this week, and will not be fit for play to-day. The Shore -mall hoys were, 1 believe, quick In seize the opportunity of an, inland bath, the courts being covered with water of considerable depth. It is probable that, some of die other club grounds will lie. very heavy for to-day's matches, notably Auckland and < hiehunga.

from all accounts Wilding owes his victories over I'arker to hi- superiority in volleying. It whs pointed out in these, columns some lime back that it, was in this department, of the game I'arker failed at Home. The following are the. tenons for to-day's inter-club mutches. There may bo some slight alteration in flic Devonport Club's. selection, an the contests, -el down for decision on the North Shore courts will not be played until next week, and some of those chosen may not, then be. available:

EDEN AND EPSOM V. AUCKLAND. Eden and Epsom Lawns.A grade: Grossman and W. A. Brown v. Carter and Hudson. B grade: Misses A. Stewart, and N. Brown v. .Miss Goldie and .Mrs. Herz. A. grade: Hilling and Mis- D. Udy v. the Rev. Black and Miss Stewart. Auckland Lawns. — B grade: Heather and Mail" v. McLean and Vaiie. A grade: Misses Rice and P. (Jorric v. Misses Woodrofi'e and Maee. 15 grade: A. S. C. Brown and Miss Buttle v. Porter and Miss Fothergill. WEST END V. ONEHUNOA. West End Lawns. — A grade: Paterson and Baker v. Ohl&en and Whylc. B grade: Mrs. Burton and Miss Butters v. Mrs. Harding and Miss Culvert. A grade: Dr. Keith and Miss dittos v. Taylor and Miss Adams. Onehunga Lawns.—B grade: Hiekson and Shirrifl's v. Moodie and Sutfie. A grade: Misses Nicholson v. Misses Carnahan and McMaster. B grade: Smith and. Miss Metcalfe v. Richardson and Miss Scott. DEVONPORT V. FARNELL. Devonport Lawns.— B grade : C. 11. Young and A. Howarth v. Cox and Mowbray. A grade: Mr-. Cooper and Mis-- Harvey v. Misses Parsons and Bellairs. B grade: 11. It. Cooke and Mrs. Martin- v. K. Howartli and Miss Dueler. Pnrueil Lawn-.- -A grade: F. Brabant and Redmond v. Le Sieur and Simpson. B grade: Mrs. Swan and Miss Maeindoe v. Miss Cook and Mrs. Freeman. A grade: Hall and Miss Bush v. .1. Evans and Miss Davy. Note.-— Devonport lawns have not recovered from late ruins, and play on those lawns will be postponed till .January 26. but the oilier matches \. iParne.ll will "he played on Parneil lawn-.