LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14235, 4 December 1909, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS.

FIXTURES. December 27, 28, 29, 1909.—New Zealand Association's Championships at Auckland. December 31, 1909, January 1, 3, and 4, 1910.— Auckland Association's Championship and Handicap Tournament.

The second round of inter-club matches will be played next Saturday. The following is the draw: —

First Grade: Auckland a bye, Farnell v. Eden and Epsom, West End v. Devonport.

Second Grade :„Hemuera a live, Onehunga v. Mount AllHTt. •

.Third Grade: Ellerslie v. Otahnliu, Onehunga v. Mount Albert.

'Jhe result of the Davis' cup contest was very gratifying to New Zealanders. The next, challenge for the famous trophy will be played in the Dominion. There will doubtless be keen feeling on the question of where the matches will be played. Auckland has strong claims for the honour. The matter will probably be decided at an early date by the New Zealand Association. 'Hie e.\-.\ticklander, ,J. C. Peacock, was in town dining the week, on a business visit. Peacock at present is far below his beat form, having had very little hard play this season. He will be a competitor at the championship tournament, and will pair With F. M. B. Fisher in the Championship Doubles. The .Southerner says there will be a. large contingent of Wellington's heat players up tor the tournaments at Christinas and New Yea r. The new pavilion for the Eden and Epsom Club, which is being specially erected for the big tournament is well under way, and will be completed towards the end of next week. An effort was made to get N. Brookes over for the New Zealand championships, but definite information has come to hand that the Victorian will not he able to make the trip. Entries are coming in freely for the tournaments, and everything points to a record gathering of tennis players. Intending competitors should note that entries close on Monday, December 20, for the New Zealand championships, and for the Auckland tournament on December 15 Most of our leading players are getting in plenty of hard practice for the forthcoming tournaments to be held at Christmas and New Year. Dr. Keith is in particularly good form at present, mid p-ouiisps to make matters interesting for the Soutnern cracks. Dickson and Grossman, present holders of the Double"' Championship of Auckland, will play together in the New Zealand championships providing the latter shakes off a severe attack of rheumatism. Dr. K. Smith, a New South Wales inter-State representative of 1906, was playing on the West End courts on Saturday. He has had a spell from tennis for two seasons, but nevertheless is rapidly getting into form, and last week was able to'treat his fellow club members to a good exhibition of the double game. The newcomer should greatly strengthen West End's team for the remaining inter-club mat.}- He will most likely combine with Dr. Keith for the various championships. The ex-Onehunga player, A. Moody, is home spending his vacation from the Otago Medical School. During the week he has had several games with leading local exponents, and has held his own with the best of them. Moody will be ft competitor at the New Zealand tournament. Entries for the Parnell Lawn Tennis Club's matches close to-day.

UNIVERSITY V. TRAINING COLLEGE. The University and Training College teams played a match on the latter club's asphalt courts, Wellcsley-street East, on Thursday afternoon, when Training College won by five* matches to two. The following are the results :— Ladies' Doubles: Misses McElwain and Weston (Training College) beat Misses Dickenson and Oliphant (University), 6—3, 6—3: Misses Litten and Westwood (Training College) beat Misses Freeman and M. Oliphant (University), 6—4, 6--0. Ladies' Singles: Miss Litten (Training College) beat Miss M. Oliphant (University), 4—6, 6—5, 6—2; Miss McElwain (Training College) beat Miss Freeman (University), 6—o, 6—l. Men's Singles: Wilson (University) beat Milnes (Training College), 3—6, 6—2, 6—2. Men's Doubles: Johns and Harden (Training College) beat Jacobsen and Wilson (University), 7—5, 11—9; Scott and Wyman (University) beat Harden and Richardson (Training College), 6—2, 6—l.

BILLIARDS. Billiards have gone ahead so much lately that the New South Wales Sports Club intends to make an effort to bring about an amateur definition that will suit everybody, which is a big tusk and one in which that estimable body is hardly likely to succeed (according to the Sydney Mail). A meeting of delegates representing the various schools of arts and working men's institutes has been called to consider the matter. The definition is at present: "An amateur billiard plaver is one who has not. from January 1, 1896, earned his living or any part of his living by playing, scoring, or teaching games played on 'a billiard table: provided also that no one shall be eligible as an amateur who (1) has played for or accepted a cash pri».e in a tournament or competition since September, 1905, or has played where gate money is charged without the permission of the controlling body; nevertheless, the committee shall have power to reinstate any. person as an amateur who shall have complied with this definition for a period of not less than two years at the time of this application." BOXING. J. M. Hogan, the Wanganui welter, who defeated W. Turner, of Wellington, in the recent tourney, is deaf and dumb, lie is, however, described as a popular lad, and a good two-handed boxer, who can stand a tremendous amount of punishment. A private letter which came into my possession by this week's Australian mail (says" a Southern writer) makes it clear that the New Zealanders will have all their work cut out to retain whatever laurels they gained at the last Australian amateur championships, and secure fresh ones, when the 1910 meeting in Auckland eventuates. The writer says there is a Sydney lad coming on who will knock spots off Hegarty. He will be something out of the ordinary to accomplish that feat. A New Zealand ball-punching record was established by Robert. Veiteh at the Young Men's Guild Hall, St. Albans, on Friday week. He commenced at 1.30 p.m., and finished at eight. p.m., apparently little the worse for his arduous task. During the performance Veiteh felt slightly footsore, but beyond that he was not in any way fatigued. In fact, he was quite confident of being able to continue for another three hours. Veitch is only 19 years of age, and gave the exhibition in order to demonstrate the advantages of physical culture. WRESTLING. HACKENSCHMIDT'S TOUR. The many admirers of George Hackenschmldt, the redoubtable wrestler, will be interested to learn that an Australian and New Zealand tour is contemplated bythe famous athelete, who will be supported by Gunner Moir and Herman the strong man. A bill which includes wrestling, physical development exhibitions, posture posing, together with ft biograph display of the chief contest* which Hackenschmidt has engaged upon, will be presented. A further feature is an entertainment consisting of monologues, music, and other clever vaudeville turns, nackenschmidt's tour is limited to 10 weeks, during which period the much talked-of contest with Gotch is expected to eventuate. This big event, embracing as it does the world's championship and a purse of £6000, will probably create the utmost interest throughout Australasia. Hftskenschmidt is at pre-' sent appearing in South Africa with his team of wrestlers. POLO. The Hamilton Polo Club has forwarded an invitation to the Kcmuera Polo Club for.their opening day, which takes place next Saturday. A number of Waikafo clubs are playing this season, and, according to report, are giving a good account of themselves. If the home team intend to hold the interprovincial cup for another season they will need to wake up, as it will be no' easy matter, as in the past, to defeat the best of Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Ohaupo, Paeroa, Waingaro, and Clevedon clubs. My advice to the Remuera Club, before it is too late, is to procure the. best ponies in the market. I am glad to say some have already done so, but, on the other hand, many are badly mounted and will possibly lose their place in the team on this account. It is proposed to hold a practice to-day at three p.m. at the club's ground. Market Road. SWIMMING. The council of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association has referred the question of the amateur standing, for swimming purposes, of those who hare taken part in professional football matches, to a sub-committee consisting of Messrs. A. M. Russell, W. G. Burns, and W. Johnson. This committee will also consider the. correspondence in reference to the applications of ' disqualified swimmers for reinstatement. The 100 yds provincial championship, to lie decided at the Waitemata Club's Carnival on December 17, will probably attract six entries. The probable starters are : M. K. Champion, A. O'Hare, and K. Marett, of Waitemata Club, and R. 11. Ronayne, 1,. Weston, and L. Fristrom, of Ponsonby Club. There are not likely to be any outsiders oempeting. Entries for the 100 yds "championship close with Mr. J. J. Mulvihill," secretary of Auckland Centre, next Friday, the centre rules stating that entries must 'close not less than seven days before the race. This rule also applies to inter-club races. The choice of place for holding this season's New Zealand championships was between Auckland and Wellington. The claims of our city were recognised, and the vote in favour was almost unanimous. R. Kasthope and B. Becker leave by next Tues- ! day's boat for their homes in the South Sea Islands. Easthope represented the Waitemata Club in the last New Zealand 100 yds championship, and was leading by three yards at the 50yds' turn when he was disqualified for crossing. He will be a distinct loss to local swimming circles. The New Zealand Council has suggested to the Auckland Centre that the New Zealand championship meeting lie held between February 19 and 26. The programme for the second carnival of the Waitemata Club, to be held on December 17, will include: 100 yds provincial championship of Auckland, 880yds'and 50yds club handicaps, 72yd3 novice race, 50yds boys' (under. 17) handicap, 36yds achoolboys' (under 14) handicap, submarine race and novelty events. The entries close next Saturday,.