LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 11

LAWN TENNIS.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Tennis players have been well catered for during the holidays, both in Auckland and in other parts of the North Island, and some players have spent most enjoyable holidays in journeying from one tournament to another. In the Wellington and Hawke's Bay districts the dates of the tournaments were so arranged to enable players to compete at each successive tournament, and the same arrangements elsewhere have made tennis more popular than ever to the enthusiast. After the New Zealand championship tournament and the Exhibition tournament, many players left to compete at the tournament now proceeding at Rotorua, After the completion of the Rotorua fixture the Miisterton Club is holding the Wellington championships, and so on well into the season. At the Wellington end, many players competed at Hastings and Marton during the Christmas holidays, iad at New Year found their way to Pahiutua, and there are still the Dannevirke and Masterton tournaments to follow.

The Pahiatua Club's tournament at New Year was very successful, and attracted players from Auckland, Wellington, New Plymouth, Wanganui, and all the towns within easy distance. The entries were large, and the general management of the tournament was beyond reproach. The courts were in splendid order, and compare \ery favourably with the beet grass courts in New Zealand. The class of tennis at the tournament was of a high Standard, the championship falling to J. U. Swainson, who was also successful in; thj Marton tournament during "the previous week. Powdrell, of the well-known Waverley Club, Taranaki, had a big say in all events, and reached the final in several. The outstanding player at the tournament was Addison, of Palmerston North. He is a lefthander, and hi* driving and serving are very fast and much above the average. Addison appears to be a player who should come to tho fore within the next few years. The surprise of the tournament was the excellent play of many of the ladies. It is not too mucn to say that much of the play was quite on a level with that seen at the recent New Zealand tournament. The Misses Hughes, of Pabiatua, were very prominent, and the exhibition of net work and driving given by Misses R. and L. D. Hughes was delightful. It is a matter of certainty that neither of these players would find themselves outclassed at a New Zealand tournament. Although two days had been set aside for the Pahiatua tournament, it took a full four days to get the events completed. The recent Exhibition tournament, held on the Eemuera Club's courts, may be regarded as one of the most successful tournaments held in Auckland, and it savs much for the controlling committee that such a big tournament should have been practically completed within the four days. A glance at the final results shows bow successful the local players were in [ spite of outside competition. The results speak well for the general standard of play in Auckland, and prove beyond a doubt that the efforts of the Auckland Association to encourage the younger player:; have not been without result. Another feature of the tournament was the success of the middle men. On too many occasions the handicaps do not prove sufficient to stop the cracks, but in this instance the younger players have been more successful. The Ohlson boys did their club credit in the handicap doubles, and the success of C. and V. Morrin, of thn Otahuhu Club, will do much to enthuse the members of the country club. E. Tonks is also entitled to congratulations for his win in the first-grade handicap singles, and more so by reason lliat his form prior to the tournament had not been as good as usual. Although faced with owe 40. Miss Baird proved too good for the opposition, but this was the onlv win achieved by the back markers. Miss Caverhill, the runner-up in the singles, is a player of distinct promise, and although young, has proved herself a most, successful tournament player. Should she improve at tha same rate she has done the last two or three years, she should. ir. the near future, lie one of the foremost lady players in New Zealand.

The Remucra Club has pet aside this afternoon for the purpose of pushing on its club matches, and every effort will be made to-day to get the matches off. The player* arc reminded that they must bo available when railed upon, or otherwise thev will lie liable to be scratched.

It is announced, that H. L. Doherty, the famous ex-champion lawn tennis player, contemplates a return to the game next summer. The Sporting Life discusses the matter thus:— brother of the late Mr. R. F. Doherty, ex-champion, he is one of the '."''latest plavers the pa.me has produced Hi* last public appearance was in 1910. After giving up i dWn tennis Mr. Doherty devoted his attention to golf, and is now a plus thre d man. Although he has been out 'if the game for several years, the el-'lr.inpion is still a comparatively young man. having recently celebrated 'lie 37th birthday. 'H.L.' was kn«v,n on the courts in most parts of the world. For five years he held the all-Eng-land singles championship, and, with his brother, the doubles for eight seasons. In partnership, the brothers first won the Davis Cup for England." Local tennis players are reminded of the tournament to be held on Thursday; Friday, and Saturday, the 22nd, 25rd, and 24th hist, at the club's courts at Dannevirke. This year the club has had two challenge cups presented fur competition in the open singles events. The men's cup, which is valued at 20 guineas, is a very fine trophy, whilst tile ladies'' cup, which is valued at 10 guineas, is also a very handsome trophy. The club is very fortunate in having such prizes for com-

petition. There are seven lawns available for play and the committee guarantee that the lawns will be second to none in the Dominion. There are eleven events in the tournament, as follows : —Men's championship singles and doubles, ladies' championship singles and doubles, combined championship doubles, men's handicap singles and doubled, ladies' handicap singles and doubles, men's handicap singles (second grade), combined handicap doubles, with good trophies in each event. The Dannevirke tournament is usually patronised by the leading players and the club is in hopes of securing entries from Dickie, Wallace, Fieher, and Co. this year. All entrants are promised a good time and a good run for their money. Entries close on the 15th inst. with the secretary, P.O. box, 41, Dannevirke. PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATION.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the above association was held last evening, when there was a fair attendance of delegates. Owing to the very successful nature of the recent Exhibition tournament, it was decided to donate second prizes in the handicap eventslss each in the men's doubles and combined doubles, and 10s 6d each in the ladies' doubles. Arrangements were made for the Auckland championship tournament to be held on January 24, 29, and 31. Entries close with the secretary of the association on Tuesday, January 20, at 5 p.m. It was decided to hold the tournament on the Remuera lawns, subject to confirmation by the Remuera Club's committee. The following committee was appointed to control the tournament: —Messrs. W. R. Fee, H. Q. Palethorpe, L. A. Longuet, A. S .C. Brown. A. A. Martin, F. J. Ohlson, E. Hickson. L. Sheppard, and H. Thomson. BOTORUA TOURNAMENT. YESTERDAY'S RESULTS. [bt telegraph.— own correspondent.] Rotohua, Friday. The tennis club's Auckland tournament was continued to-day. The weather regained fine, and some splendid games were witnessed b a crowd of spectators. The Hon. F. M.'B. Fisher, Minister for Customs and Marine, was present. It has been arranged for Messrs. Fisher and Pearse the Canterbury player, to give an exhibition game to-morrow. The following are the results of to-days games:— LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. First Round : Mrs. Scott Watson (Rotorua) beat Miss Plimmer (Wellington), 6-1, 6—l. Second Round: Mrs. Scott Watson beat Miss S. Payton (Auckland), 6—2, 6—4; Miss W. Bailey beat Miss B. Clarke, 5—6, 6—l, 6— Miss Kerslake (Palmerston North) beat Mrs. Cox (Te Awamutu), 4—6, 6—l, 6—2; Miss M. Payton beat Miss Holland, 6-4, 6—2. MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP BINGLES. First Round : Pearse beat H. W. Snelling, 6—3, 6—l : Johnson won from E. A. Cox by default ; E. L. Snelliqg beat Cowan (Hawke's Bay), 6—2, 63. Second Round: Pearse beat Dr. Ber-! tram, 6—l, 6—o. MEN'S HANDICAP SINGLES. Third "Round : Pearse (Canterbury), owes 20, beat E. S. Rutherford (Stratford), rec. 15. 70-57 W. Rutherford (Reefton). forfeited to Johns (Te Awamutu) ; E. L. Snelling, owes 5, beat Cox (Te Awamutu). owes 5, 70— Fourth Round: Pearse (Canterbury), owes 20, beat H. W. Snelling (Auckland), owes 12. 70—68: E. 1.. Snelling, owes 5 beat Johns, owes 10, 70—50. LADIES' HANDICAP SINGLES. Second Round : Miss Hall (Rotorua), 15, beat Miss S. Pavton, (Auckland), 8, 60—54; Miss Holland (Auckland), 7, bea.t Miss M. Payton (Auckland), 2, 60—57; Mrs. Scott Watson (Rotorua), owes 10, beat Miss W. Bailey (Bulls). 12, 70—50. Semi-final : Miss Hall, 15, beat Miss Plimmer (scratch), 60—54; Mrs. Scott Watson, owes 10 beat Miss Holland, 7, 60—54. COMBINED HANDICAP DOUBLES. Second Round : Mrs. Hamilton and Hamilton (Karangahake). 12, beat Miss B. Clarke and E. L. Snelling (Auckland), scratch, 50—48. Semi-final : Mrs. Cox and Cox (Te Awa--mutu), 12, beat Mrs. Hall (Rotorua) and Johns (Te Awamutu), owe 5, 60—40; Miss S. Pavton and Pearse, owe 10. beat Mrs. Hamilton and Hamilton, 12, 60 —41. LADIES' HANDICAP DOUBLES. Second Round: Mrs. and Miss Hall (Rotorua). 15. beat Miss Evans (Rotorua) and Miss Kerslake (Palmerston North), 17 60—42; Misses Pavton (Auckland),' scratch, beat Misses Bailey (Bulls), 12 60-53. MEN'S HANDICAP DOUBLES. Final : Cox and Johns (Te Awamutu), 20. beat Pearse (Canterbury) and Dr. Bertram (Rotorua). scratch, —49.