TENNIS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9827, 26 November 1917, Page 6

TENNIS

Tbo wax bas made serious inroads Into the membership of tennis as well as other sports clubs. At Eastbourne the courts were allowed to fall into a bad condition mainly on account of the lack of interest that was manifest in the gome soon after war was declared. Out of a male membership of about fifty playing m.embers over forty have joined the forces, several of whom have made the supremo sacrifice. This year the matter of repairing the courts was/taken in hand by a strong committee of residents, of whom Mr £l. Shortt was chairman, with the result that on Saturday the courts were reopened for play by tbo Hoa. T. M. IVilford. It was a gala day at tho Bay, and the beautiful weather attracted a large 'number of ladies, among whom ras Mrs X. M. AVilford and a number of visitors from AVellington and the TIuU Valley. The club was £IOO in debt ot. the end of last season, and through the generosity of the residents this hag been considerably reduced, and the committee hope to discharge the whole indebtedness bv an early date. After declaring the courts open for play, the Don. T. M. Wilford played a 'double," and showed by his play that he had not forgotten bow to serve. During the afternoon refreshments were dispensed by a bevy of young ladies, and the enthusiasm displayed by the young people in tennis augurs well for a successful season.