LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2497, 22 January 1902, Page 54

LAWN TENNIS.

BY RACQUfcT.

Looking at the handicap events piayed at A&hburton we see that Otago playeis generally did exceptionally well, winning- the Men's Handicap Singles, Men's Handicap Doubles, Ladies' Handicap Doubles, and the Combined. This result was not brought about on account of too liberal handicapping, as, with one exception, the winners were all placed far back in the sc;-le.

A\ ith the exception of Collins, all the crack players entered for the Men's Handicap Singles, and the event produced some splendid play. Broad forged his way through the top half, beating Pearce, Branson, and White in that order, the last match putting him into the filial. His match with White was a good one. White started well, and, hitting li3rd. secured the first set ; but Broad played with great steadiness in the next two sets, and won them rather easily.

In the lower half Wilding had harder work, and had to play some very tough matches before he reached the final. His opponents were T. Kay, Hart man n, E. Salmond, and Hainian.

Broad had his revenge on Wilding in the final, winning 6—l,6 — 1, 6—l.6 — 1. Just as the asphalt had suited Wilding when they played the Championship, the soft grass court now suited Broad. His "put* 1 stroke hardly rose at all, and his placing was perfect. Time after time the ball either hit the side live or went within an inch or so of it, and even if Wilding did reach it he could only manage to put the ball back softly into Broad's hands at the net. Only very occasionally did the loser manage to get a drive in. but when he did it generally proved a pnorter

The Men's Handicap Doubles were won by the Brown brothers, of the Rostyn Ciub. It will be remembered that the same pair won this evewt at the Otago tournament last Easter. They were evidently unknown to fame in Aehburton ; as the handicappers treated them very liberally. At the same time, they deserve every credit for their win, as they played a nice steady game all through, and were never pushed till they came to the final.

A pair who would probably have had a big say for the ©vent were the CoUhart brothers, but, after beating Wilding aud Cox in the first round, they had to scratch. The match betwetn these two pairs was the best double in the event. At thp commencement Wilding and Cox looked like winning, owing to Wilding's superior play; but the Colthart' grasped the situation m good time, and suceejclcd in giving Cox almcet all the work to do, Wilding getting a ball vorv occasionally I lie result wa 1 * that the brothers got both sets. On reaching the semi-final of the pvent there were four Otago pairs still in— White and Branson and the Brown brothers en one Fid© and Broad and Jackson and the Salmond brothers on the other. White and Branson found that the odds they had to give were too great, and letired in the Eocond set Broad and Jackson had a very hard go with the Salmond brothers, the score reading 6—5,6 — 5, 5—6,5 — 6, 6—5. In the final Broad and Jackson had to owe 30, and it proved to be too much, the Browns winning 3—6,3 — 6, 6—4,6 — 4, 6—4. Our lady champion. Mi=s Campbell, though not playing in her beat form, wns very successful all through the tournament, and won all the events for which she entered. Her strongest opponent in the Championship was Miss Revell, of Timaru, whom she met in the Prat round. Mi-6 Ren ell won the first set. and looked like pulling off the mutch, but Miss Campbell played more steadily iv the second set, and gradually wora her opponent down. In the final Miss ffarman, of Christchurch, was her opponent, and a good game was expected. Such, however, was not the ea«r\ as Miss Campbell plavod in her beet form, end won very easily (6 — 1, 6—l)6 — 1)

In the Ladies' Doubles the play does n<>t call for particular mention. Misses Campbell and Maclean went through to the final very easily, and then had a hard fight with Misses Birkley and Harman, who ser-med to have the event in their hands, when the fcore was act all, five all and forty — love in their favour ; but the Olago laches stuck to it. aid manacred to win the sfame and the event.

Ihc Combined Handicap brought out a very big field, at, it always (lops Broad and Mi»s Campbell wont steadily through to the final, no couple giving thpni mm h trouble. The other Otago combined (Salinond and Mis* Maclean) went through on the other half, but Broad and Miss Campbell proved to bo much too stronp for them, playing nth splendid combination, and won 6—2, 6—3.6 — 3.

Numerous small children in Hastings, Hawke's Bay, now wear <=andaK which e-nable the feet to rota : a their natural shape

A ninth contingent picpanug.

The Government have come to a doci=ion about the site for the Hokitika River bridge on li.c Grpv-Ko** railway, and working plans aie being hastened on with all The structure will bf> built with iroi'bavk piles, which l- con-ulorod to be almost as la-ting as ii'in cylinder^. All will be in re&c'inr^p to allo-.v of th" fiir,t pile be.ng driven Ly the Premier next uk'OUl.