Lawn Tennis Clubs.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 956, 27 June 1890, Page 4

Lawn Tennis Clubs.

The formation of a lawn-tenuis club in a country neighbourhood is an affair which requires great care and tact to ensure its success, A number of gentlemen usually form themselves into a committe, decide upon who is to be asked to join, and place the matter before the leading families of the vicinity. Jf subscriptions are forthcoming and funds available, the next thing is to procui-e a suitable ground, and to proceed to lay it down. The number of courts required must be determined by the size of the club, and the making and planning of the courts, erection of a paviliion for tea and sitting in, and other similar work, should all be done during the winter months, so that when the tennis season arrives the ground is hard and fit to play on. After the first making of the oourtß, little or no expense need be,incurred beyond paying a man for mowing and for marking out the ground, and keeping it generally in order. Should there be trees round the club ground, they are welcomed by the non-players and chaperones, and seats should bo put under them at convenient distances round the courts. One member usually undertakes the duties of hon. secretary and treasurer, and the others apply to him for any information required as to the rules of the olub, and he also receives the subscriptions from the members. Very good play is often seen at a tennis club, and people play harder and with more zest than at a private house. The opening day of the club should be made a gala day ; friends should be invited from a distance, and members allowed to bring any guests. Copies of the rules of the club should be circulated, as different clubs have each their own code of rules as to subscriptions, days of playing, and rules for admission of members. A tennis club, when well organised and managed, is an addition to a country neighbourhood, and forms a rendezvous for meeting friends; and a game can always be forme! there on the playing days,- when there are no private parties to go to. Tea is usually served about five o’clock in the club pavilion ; its management is generally undertaken by each lady member in turn, and is very acceptable both to the players and the onlookers. Cakes, fruit and cream are provided by the lady who specially provides the tea on each successive day. After a club has been some little time in existence, and if it can boast of good players, matches are often arranged with neighbouring clubs, or tournaments are got up amongst the members, and add to the excitement and interest. In some clubs the members are required to wear a particular badge or ribbon, but this is not always a satisfactory arrangement, and it is best to let them please their own individual taste as to dress and colour worn. Gwynedd.