TENNIS IN MESOPOTAMIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10207, 18 February 1919, Page 6

TENNIS IN MESOPOTAMIA

NORMAN BROOKES' EXPERIENCE. Haior Norman E. Brookos, tlio wellknown international and Bavin Cup tennis player, arrv.ved in Sydney recently form. Mesopotamia, on his way to Victoria. Maior Brookes was appointed a Red Cross Commissioner for Australia in July. 1&15. He returned in December, 1016, and went to England in March of the following year, being invited ibv the Red Cross to go to Mesopotamia 'as a commissioner. While there ho was appointed to the Supply and Transport Section, and became de-pnty-assistant-direotor of local resources, with headquarters at Bagdad. Major Brookes's duties covered tho whole of Mesopotamia and Persia, including the oversight of tho various branches of local resources. "I went to within forty miles of the Caspian,” sarld Major Brookes, "where the heat for four months averages 112 degrees in the shade. This heat is much more trying than, that experienced in Australia. It is more dangerous, and there are frequent cases of sunstroke. For a time the flics arc verv trying, but as the heat increases, it kills them of!.” Maior Brookes hod one or two opportunities of showing that his hand has not lost its cunning. Not only did ho easily win the Bagdad championship from a number of English competitors. but he annexed three open events ns well. Major Leith-Rose was the runner-up iu the clmmplonflhip. "1 offered to stand down in the singles.” said Maior Brookes, "hut they were anxious that I should play. Tim courts were very fine, being made of Bhouaa, a composition of chopped straw nnd mud. It was quite new to mo. but I never played on courts like them. I consider them the host I have been on. ' Of course, you could not' get gross courts in Mesopotamia, but the Bhousa courts are next best to grass. In Bagdad wo star ted a gvmkhnnn club, which was opened by General Maude shortly before he died. It was run bn the American plan, and included golfi cricket, and races. It was a great success. The golf links wero_ composed of Bhousa. browns being substituted for the greens.’*