LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1885, 6 January 1888, Page 27

LAWN TENNIS.

Considerable interest was taken in this game on the Caledonian green on Saturday. The weather was oppressively hot, but a fair muster of players of both sexes was present, and a number of interesting sets, both double and single, were played.

THE LAWN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP.

The fight for the championship began (says the Christchurch Press) soon after 4, and was kept up with unabated vigour until , nearly 7. The attendance was larger than the other two days put together, and the court presented a very gay sight, being fenced in with spectators, two and three deep, the inner line being almost exclusively ladies, of whom' there were a large number present. For some time past there have been rumours of a " dark horse " who was to win this event, but the rumour did not turn out to be true, and the real dark horse, it must be said, was suspected by very few. From his form on the previous day, everyone who had seen him knew that Mr Harman would prove a tough customer when it came to the final, but that he would make such a fight tbfat at one time he had the prize almoat within his grasp, was more than his most ardent supporters dared hope for. When it is remembered that only half-an-hour before he began his match with the champion he had finished a three-set match in the Doubles, in which he had played hard throughout, and not as if he was saving himself, the stand he made is still more wonderful, and we may be pardoned for thinking that if he had been resting all day, as_ Mr Fenwicke had been doing, the result might have been different. The match was a most punishing one, and during the last set ifc was simply a matter of endurance, and the best man won. Mr Fenwicke amply justified his claim to the title of champion, and the sterling game he played was a treat to see. His cat-like agility was displayed to its utmost as he dashed about after his opponent's capitally-placed drives, and made up for Mr Harman's longer reach. How he let Mr Harman get two sets, and particularly such comparatively easily won sets, was a mystery to his friends, and can only be accounted for by the supposition that he knew it would be a test of endurance, and saved himself for the end. The result proved that he was right, but at one time he was very nearly being beaten. The fourth set was a remarkably fine one, and enthusiasm was at its hight when, in the last game— the eighteenth— the players scored alternately time after time. It is no disgrace to the loser to say that in the last set Mr Fenwicke's superior condition enabled him to win comparatively easily. Both players at the end appeared regularly played out. The applause was hearty, and deservedly so, for the play was splendid. At one time, however, during the third set, Mr Fenwicke might have come in for a little more, but the truth is that Mr Harman's fine stand was so much better than was ever expected that the temptation to applaud him more frequently than his opponent was apparently irresistible. Mr Fenwicke, however, had no reason to complain of the reception he got as he played the winning stroke, which testified to the great admiration in which his beautiful playing was held. Mr Fenwicke now holds the champion cup for the second year, and should he win it riextye«r it will become his property. That the meeting may be held here nest year is the wish of every tennis lover ; and if it is, Mr Feuwicke's career in the championship singles will be watched with even greater interest than it was this year. A% for Mr Harman, he has achieved fame in one day, having come to the front rank of New Zealand tennis players at a single bound, and it ii possible that the cup may yet find a resting plao in Christchurch.

— A German composer was conducting one of his overtures. As the " horns " played too loudly, he told them repeatedly to play more softly, and more softly they played each time. At the fourth repetition, with a knowing wink at each other, they pat their instruments to their lips, but did not blow at all. The conductor nodded approvingly. " Very good, indeed," said he, " now »one shades ofter and you'll have it."

HEJJRAI.GIA in New Zealand.— Both to Emigrants a/id residents in this charming Colony there has always b"e,s>ii Qnfi climatic drawback— neuralgia. 'Ihisterribly'painfnl'diseappflqually effects all classes and ages in every 'part of #$w Jjeajand, In many fngtances Colonists became disheartened and re. turned to England, believing their mafady Incurable. In 1870 an old Oolonißt, on his return' (o Ohrjatchurch, took with him ft few potties of Freeman's Original Chlorodyne, and prespribed it for several of his friends suffering from Neuralgia, - The effect waa simply magic »1. They exclaimed, "We have found the remedy for Neuralgia, 1 ' and from that day there has been a steady inoreaalng demand for Freeman's Ohlorodyne. which is now known and used throughout the Colony.' Insist upon having '• Freeman's" only. Trade mark, an Elephant.— Sold everywhere. Obtainable from all ciumists and. storekeeper*.