TENNIS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 14398, 4 January 1911, Page 4

TENNIS.

THE BARK CLUB. OPENING DAY. The perfect weather prevailing yes-, terdav helped the Park Lawn Tennis and (’’roquet Chib to have a most successful opening day. Numerous flags nytl hunting were flying in the breeze, lending a cheerful and welcome appearance to the whole place. In the ah sonee of the president of the club (Mr. R. Qork), his Worship the Mayor (Air. G. Tiseh) performed the opening ceremony As u vice-president of the club, Mayor of the town, and president of the'Beautifying Association, he said, it gave him groat pleasure to he able to ooimratulate the club on the wonderful success that had attended its efforts. Whilst apologising for the unavoidable absence of Air. Cock. Air. Tisch made it clear that he was indeed pleased to have been enabled to perform the opening ceremony, for he recognised that every well-kept sports ground mid every snot' beautified was a distinct asset to the borough, inasmuch as it added to the town’s attractions to visitors and people looking for a place to settle, and also made for the health and well-being of the community at largo. He referred in terms of plowing praise to the workdone hv Air. F. AV. Sandfnrd, who had been described to him as a sort of director of every work that had boon undertaken on the courts, and whoso handiwork was very apparent in the roomv and convenient clubhouse which had been erected. He was pleasantly surprised to see their efforts rewarded to such a remarkable degree, and. indeed, felt, almost, inclined to offer a silver cun for competition.' This would perhans he a little out of place, seeing that ho was not president, and so he would content himself by offering a racquet for the ladies’ singles handicap. In concluding, his AVorship declared the courts duly open, and called upon Dr. Leatham to add a few words.

Dr. Lentham, who is president of the New Plymouth Lawn _ Tennis and Croquet Club and the Taranaki Law r n Tennis Association, expressed his great pleasure at being present on such an occasion. Wc looked upon the opening of the courts as another step in the right direction. Like the Mayor, he was glad to see tenuis clubs flourishing ami new courts opened, but whereat Mr. Tisch looked at it from the aesthetic or from a commercial point ol view, he laid stress on the effect ol healthy outdoor pastimes on tire public health' He had played tennis for thirty-seven years, and hoped to play for a number of years yet. After giving one nr two hints to the club’s management. tbe speaker concluded by wishing (he club a most prosperous season. Mr. H. Obey, M.P., al« complimented the club on the results obtained. He assured the gathering that New Plymouth was well spoken of outside ns a beauty spot and a delightful holiday resort, and its well-kept tennis courts, golf links, and parks were no mean assets. He referred to the recent legislation, as the result of which the municipality should shortly have a great deal more money- to spend on beautification of imhl'c reserves, and congratulated the Mayor on having initiated the idea and successfully placed his scheme before Parliament. Afternoon tea was then served, and, the speeches over, members eml visitors freelv mixed and occupied, the courts. Besides several from the New Plymouth and Fitzro.v Clubs, there was one member of the Stratford Croquet Club ami a visitor from the AA’aitara Tennis Club. An apology was received for the absence of Air. F. P. Oorkill, a member of the Pukekura Park Board (who was out of town), Hie hoard being represented only by its secretary, Mr. E. H. Tribe,’who. however, fully made up for the re=f of the board. Mr. Tribe having worked hard, especially during the last few days, , _ Although the heavy rain of the previous nibbt had softened the surface to a certain extent, the courts showed very little wear after a heavy afternoon’s play. Air. G. Lynch. Hie caretaker. is to he congratulated on the excellent state of the grounds. MARLBOROUGH MEETING. The final of the Combined Handicap Doubles, the result of which was not telegraphed yesterday, resulted in a win for the Wellington pair, F. P. AVilr.oll and Miss A. Af. Batham and E. AV. Griffiths and Aliss V.- Simpson (New Plymouth) were the only couples left without a defeat, AA'ilson and Aliss Batham winning by CO to 42. Commenting on this event, the New Zealand Times says: “As the Taranaki pair had had fairly easy wins, excepting in the semi-finai against A’nn Aseh and Mrs. Alenlove, whom they just heat in a vantage game, 02—CO, a fairly close result was anticipated in the final, although, ns pointed out yesterday, F. P. AA’ilson and Miss Batham were too leniently'dealt with as_ regards handicaps for players of their ability. This was evident in the final, as both of them played np to their best form, and they won with a margin of 18 points.”