LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2850, 28 October 1908, Page 64

LAWN TENNIS.

The local association/ haa been endeavouring to try and have ladies included in the interprovincial match with Canterbury on the 9th prox., but without success. The northern body t for some reason or other, finds it impossible to do so on this occasion.. Laurie now finds he can make the trip, so ho will tako Bonnington's place in the team.

Quill, who is one of Canterbury's best, is at present/ in Australia, whkher ho haa gorte to witness the fight for the Davis Cup. His loss, however, will scarcely bo felt, as even without him Canterbury should be more than a match for the besb that Otago can put in.-

I notice the Match Committee of the association has asked the following players to practice with a view to selecting tha representative team — viz. : Messrs R. S. Brown, 8. N. Brown (Balmacewen\ C. J* Braithwaite and P. Seelye (Kaituna), H. Bundle, J. Sinclair, and A. B. Harraway, (Otago), Georee Gower (University), R. i Bauchop (Port Chalmers), and W. Bray (Hauroro). Soitton (Oamaru) and Thompson (Invercargill) have also been asked if they can make tho trip if selected. These players (with the exception of C. G. White, Otaffo) comprise the best playera that could bo chosen. The first four will not. bo co hard to chose, but the committee will have a good deal of trouble in plae-' ing the fifth and sixth positions. The. Match Committee will be guidedwhen selecting, I expect, largely by experience in match and tournament play. Itt is true that) it takes " an. old dog for ai hard road," and a match <a>n often be won by experience as against superior spasmodic play. • Harraway, Bauchop, Gower, and Bray, should all be in the rurininjr. , while Button's and Thompson's claims must not be overlooked. Seelyo can scarcely bo considered in good enough form for thi« class of tennis. Braithwaite, on the other hand, should get in on his single play, alone, although his double play wants a lot of improvement. The proper position, on tho court is where he fails most. "With the two Browns there should bo no doubt. Bundle and Sinclair also seem to have a biff chance. This latter pair would require to play a much different game to that played on the opening day. A good idea wo>ild be to J separate them in. the Doubles (if they arc selected), as they do not eeem to work well together. The Hanover Club is the la-test addition - to the, association ranks. Its. membership is about 35 6tronjj, and the courts used by the club are *at present situated; on the Eaikorai School grounds. This club will play in tho- Grade matches. Dv Croz (late of Oamaru) and Brown (Auckland) are both/ playing for tho Gore Club. They are both keen players of moro than average strength, and should bo at bift acquisition to tennis in that town. The Mosgiel Club, which has been late in starting this season, has lost a number of its strong gentlemen players, but tha ladiea' department is still strong. In reply to an inquiry '*how to paint in tho lines of A court?" I- might state than the method that has given the best results has been for one man to put a coating of "size" or " netting V over the line ami another to come immediately behinxJ him) with the white paint. The size prevents the tar from the asphalt turning the painti brown, and at the eamc time holds it.

Tennis appears to be very popular in" Canterbury thia year, not only amongst; clubs, but people with private courts entertain a lot just now; in. fact, the game has. b^como fashionable again. The United! Club (Haglev Park) opened ou Saturday; 10th, when tho president issued over 1000 invitations, the most of thejg, being accepted, so the scene must have been a very animated one.

No news has been heard lately froni Oamaru or Inycrcargill. It would be plea»»

ia^- to hear from these two important centres more often.

Sinclair in his ladder match with Bundle last week managed to change places with him. The two players each, has his day on and day off, -and the result of their matches with each other usually depends on this factor. It is very gratifying to hear that the association has appointed two such wellknown tennis enthusiasts as Messrs R. S. Black and F. J. Stilling to fill the vacancies on the vice-presidents' list. Their inclusion will greatly „ strengthen the managing body.