MR WILDING INTERVIEWED

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13864, 16 January 1909, Page 2

MR WILDING INTERVIEWED

"When not playing tennis I like to be on my motor cycle," said A. Y. AVilding in the course of a chat with a Herald representative this morning. This would account for Mr Wilding being found in a local garage; but the situation mattered not, Mr Wilding chatting freely w it h our representative on various subjects of interest to tennis players. "Yes," he answered, m reply to a query, "I intend to settle down to my profession on my return to Christchurch, but I won't give up my tennis. I intend to practice on Sunday afternoons." This our reporter of the controversy that exists over some of the finals in th« Nelson meeting haying been played -on!- the Sabbath. I took part, and-wajs very pleased to have done, so," was Wilding's opinion of the question.- ■ , With regard to the idea of Ne>y Zealand becoming a separate nation in the Davis Cup matches, Wilding said it was q. great mistake, and neither should at present stand alone. The suggestion ,ot .thfc secretary of the Australian Associajtjpn tliai^ tb.ey should part after thojjCvrp was lost 'h^ thought a very gooaMHie.

"Do you think there is any chanoo of the Davis Cup being competed for

in Xew Zealand next year?" was the next question put. In reply Wilding stated that there Avas a good chance of it, but it was doubtful. He explained that the Sydney executive had been controlling this meeting for the past live years, and as the bulk of tho work had fallen on their shoulders they were entitled to have the meeting held locally for some time. "In the event of tho match being held in the Dominion I tli ink either Auckland or Canterbury would be the most suitable places," said Wilding.

The New Plymouth courts, he considered, were very good, but they had not had a fair chance owing to tho wet weather. « As yet he had only played on the Nelson and New Plymouth lawns, and taking them as standards he said they compared favourably with those of Australia. "Yes, it is my first visit to N,ew Plymouth, and all I have seen of it has been very pretty. I will be very pleased to wait until Monday; in fapt, no tournament should be set down for two days — it is not long enough," was the next remark passed by our informant. Mr Wilding was then asked how the Australian ladies compared with the New Zealand ladies. v, "They are as good if not better," he replied"; "but they don't compare with the ladies at Home: the ladies at Home are wonderful." Further, he^aid that Misses Powdrell and Nunneley would be good in any company. Miss Payten. of Australia, he thought, was as gootl as the best lady at Home. Miss Wellwood and H. W. Brown, a cord ing to Wilding, are the two most promising players in New Zealand at the present time. Wilding had a very long stay on the Continent, and saw some good tennis. He intimated that there were, players in France, Germany, and Austria who were as good* as the best English players.

Mr Wilding, after leaving here, will proceed to Masterton and there in tho local tourney., after which he will return to Christchurch.