LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20375, 2 October 1929, Page 15

LAWN TENNIS.

APPROACH OF NEW SEASON.

INTER-CLUB COMPETITIONS.

K. M. NUNNERLEY TROPHY.

BY SIDELINE.

The opening of this lawn tennis season is now drawing near and groundsmen and green superintendents during the next few weeks will be kept busy putting the finishing touches to the courts in readiness for the opening day, which for grass court clubs will, in most cases, bo the last Saturday of this, month or £ho first in next. Of the hard court clubs Mangere Central has already opened, the function passing off well last Saturday, when there were about 90 players present. The condition of the courts and their surroundings reflected great credit on those responsible and were freely praised by visiting players. Interest will be added to the first grade inter-club competition this season by reason of the fact that the size of teams will bo increased considerably. It is too early yet to say what effect this will have on the different clubs, but it looks as if it will'have a weakening effect on University, and may operate in the same way on Parnell and Onehunga. It should, however, give an opportunity to some of the younger players to prove their worth. It appears as though there will be big changes in the positions of players on the association's la,dder with, in most cases, younger players finding their way to higher positions. In fact, it looks as if it will be a young players' year with A. C. Stedman and N. Sturt to lead the assault on positions long occupied by E. L. Bartleet, E. W. Griffiths, H. Bririsden, Johns brothers: and others. It is to be hoped the Auckland Association will be able to raise teams duringthe season to play Wellington for • the Wilding Shield and the K. M. Nunnerley trophy, which are both held by the latter association. These two competitions should come next to the national championships in importance. The former is open for competition among teams representing the major associations. The K. M. Nunnerley trophy is a handsomo casket upon which arc studded the many gold medals won by this lady in New Zealand championships. .It is for competition between ladies' teams representing any of the affiliated associations, and, in accordance with the donor's wish, it was presented to the Wellington Association to defend. So far no matches have been played for it, but with Miss Marjorie Macfarlane and Mrs. Dykes in Auckland this association should be able to put in a very strong challenge. The Auckland championships are to bo held at Christmas along with handicap events. The New Zealand championships, are to be held at a later date than previously. probably at the end of January or at the beginning of February.

BOXING RING.

I PAUCITY OF PROGRAMMES. NEW TITLE FOR ARTIE HAY. Boxing contests have been fewer thi3 year than last, as in the first six months of this year there were but 20 contests staged i» New Zealand, as against 27 for the corresponding period in 1928. There lias been more activity lately, but even so there seems to be a general slackening off in proniotiou. Associations claim they aro unable to obtain suitable opponents for boxers who are available. v ,4s things are at present an association's enterprise is stifled owing to the ruling that a £2OO purse may only bo allotted to tjic first fight in which an overseas boxer participates. Any other fights must be for £ISO. The New Zealand Boxing Association as the controlling body should endeavour to secure the services of a few first-class fighters from other parts. Undoubtedly Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin. and perhaps Christchurch would undertake to stage fights to a schedule pf one every two or three weeks. Tlio Hamilton Association's balancesheet shows a credit of £66 16s lid. The association's assets now stand at £135 Os lid, of which over £BS ring gear. Tho f&cred Heart College will hold its annual boxing tournament on Friday. These lads invariably show excellent' form, and a number have in after years done well before the public iu the local amateur ring. The Taranaki Association held its annual meeting last week, and its balancesheet showed receipts amounting to £IOB6 2s 9d. A profit of £l5O Is 2d was shown on the year's activities, which included five professional tournaments. E. Morgan did well in his first professional fight to knock out Steve Hughes, who is said to be a fair performer. Morgan's next fight will be to-morrow week, when he will meet P. J. Stone at Wellington Artie Hay, welter-weight champion and now middle-weight champion of New Zealand, has certainly earned the titles. He has had three fights in 22 days, winning all and gaining the middle-weight crown. Hay 'has developed fighting ability, and he demonstrated on Monday night that ho can take punishment, as McDonald landed some hard body blows which did not perturb him in the least. ( It will take a good man indeed to beat him if he maintains his present form. McDonald seems to.be of the opinion he been too long away from the ring, but he"'still possesses his old to.nacio'jsness and hitting ability. However, on Monday night' he met a faster and cleverer man, who timed his punches well almost throughout The amateur 'bouts were not outstanding. Spragg spoiled his work against .Manson nv wild hitting caused by overeagerness "to be at his more experienced opponent. Gifford, who is always a willing fighter, would no doubt have gained the major points had ho porsisted with his left leads, which wero connecting. Gait, his opponent, exploited a short right to great advantage. D. Lindftsav did not give as good a showing as at* the championships, and relied almost solely upon a right to the body. He hiis roach in his loft and should use it. Hogg, who is a beautifully built and developed boxer, gave a good exhibition of twohanded work. R. Fraei and McLaughlin gave poor exhibitions. Both hit with neel and open and Fraci used a rabbit-punch twice.

BOWING SEASON. r AUCKLAND CLUB'S FIXTURES. The following is the prospective programme of the Auckland Itowing Clul) for the ensuing season November 2, trial fours for Pewter Mug;, November 23, trial fours for William Clark Memorial Shield; November 30, first races for Kolni Challenge Cup; December 7, cluli's At Home, trial fours for Mr. H. Schmidt's trophies. Winning crew to represent the club in Mr. H. Schmidt's jubilee year intor-club trophies race; December 14, pair oar trials for Messrs. Walker and Hall's trophies; January 1.1, challenge races for Kohn Challenge Cup; January 18, trial fours for cups donated by Messrs. A. Kohn, Limited; February 8) further races for Kohn Challenge! Cup; February 22,. pair oar trials for Mr. H. Moses' trophies; March 8, final races for Kohn Challenge Cup; March 29, club At • H6me ( trial fours for. President s , trophies, j