LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16590, 13 January 1916, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS.

Bt Smash. Early in January last year the New Zealand championship meeting had just been brought to a conclusion in this city. Sinco lcß6 these important fixtures havo been got off with constant regularity; but now there is a break—an honourable break —for there were no championships in 1915. Writing upon this subject, "Huka," in the Evening Post, states that all know the reason why tlfe meeting was not held, and the New Zealand Association did the right thing in cutting out the meeting. "There is a sincere hope," ho continues, • "that when December, 1916, comes round it will bo known that the championships are again to be played: for many reasons it is to bo hoped they will be played as usual, the principal one being that their revival will mean that victory has como to the British Empire." Some tournaments havo been held—mostly in the North Island, —but they. have not been run for the honour of gaining championships—the champions are mostly all away belting hard with something more deadly than a tennis ball, and 'those who appear as winners havo only been induced to play to help things on a little, and keep the game alive for the boys when they return. The president of the local association (Mr J. S. Nicolson) and his brother, G. C. Nicolson, have found it impossible to leave Dunedin with the Otago quota of the Twelfth Reinforcements,; but it is certain that they will proceed to Trentham in February. So great and so signal have been the services rendered to lawn tennis in this city by each of these gentlemen that it would bo diffi ; cult to imagine two other players whose loss would be more keenly felt, and when they como to leave Dunedin it will doubtless be a pleasing reflection for them that they are accompanied by tho good wishes of a host of friends. At the St. Kilda Courts on Saturday afternoon a considerable number of players assembled to bid farewell to R. V. Parkei on the eve of his departure for Trentham. Mr J. J. Marlow, president of the club, was in attendance, and in a few well-chosen words he conveyed to Mr Parker tho good wishes of members, and expressed the hope that success and prosperity would accompany him. He also pointed out that Mr Parker had been an excellent and enthusiastic club member over a long course of years, and added that they were all extremely sorry to lose him. Mr Parker suitably replied. Advantage was also taken of thr occasion to present Mrs Dobie (who, with J. Matthowson. had won one of tho events in the club's Yankee tournament) with a small trophy which had been offered foi competition. One of the other events in this tournament was annexed by Miller anc Miss Bower, and two others were abandoned. Henry Wallet, president of the French lawn tennis governing body, writes to a friend in England as follows: —"Be assurer •nil' firm determination to go with you tc the end. We have no doubt us to victory. To fight and to ronqucr with our, friends— tho English and Belgians—is what we | ardently desire. If, thanks to Heaven, wc have not to deplore the death of our champions (it seems that the best of all, the late ! unconquerable Wilding, has paid for them pin our grief has begn great in tho lou

of Chelli, of tho Lawn Tennis Club' do France, and of du Bosquet and young Kindberg. Another young player in Lainjr has gone, and also Andro l'uget—killed in action. M. Germot lias l.eeri wounded in tho hoad; R. Wallet, whoso leg -was broken at Maubeuge, is. a prisoner of -war. Jean Poreo and Meny have also been wounded. M. Dccugis is still in it motor-driving for a major of an army corps; Andre Cobert is observation ofliccr to the artillery, and has boon promoted to adjutant. G. Gault runs an armoured car, whilst .T. S-imazeulh, A. Canot, and Manset are all hitting it in somewhere in Franco. . W. Laurentz. the young player who came on with such a rush a few years ago, is serving in the Belgian army. _ ,F. Poulin is attached to the British army in Franco. The secretary of the association (M. Poree) w:is badly wounded, and is a prisoner. Micard is now acting as interpreter to one of tho artillery regiments of the now English armies. He tells how a heavy rain, lasting 18 hours, cured his coldit -was cither kill or how a kick from a mulo made him believe that one of M'Louglilin's smashes had hit him Andro H. Gobcrt, former champion of France, is alive and well, and is always on tho samo spot in the same Aviation Corps, and doing some very interesting work as an artillery observer."