SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 6 January 1928, Page 3

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

The indefatigable sports promoter, Mr C. Pyle, who put Suzanne Lenglen before the public as a tennis professional, is reported to have offered Nurmi, the famous Finnish distance runner, £IO,OOO if lie would sign a contract. Nurmi said “No!” He wants to represent Finland at the Oly’mpic Games next year. * * * i' Had it. not been for daylight saving, tho Southland Tennis Association’s tournament would not have been completed on Saturday. It was 8.40 when the last match began, and 9.14 when it finished. Yet the light was still quite good. * * * « In the history of New Zealand tennis five lady' players have accomplished the feat of winning throe events. They are: Miss Gordon, in 188 S; Miss Nunneley', in 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902; Miss Curtis, in 1921; Miss Lance, in 1922; and Miss Speirs, in 1925. Among the men one player only', H. A. Parker, lias achieved a similar distinction, lie won three events in 1903, 1904, 1905. Parker also has the greatest number of consecutive wins to his credit, viz., from 1902 to 1905, inclusive. Among the ladies, Miss K. M.’ Nunneley has 13 consecutive wins to her credit, viz., from 1895 to 1907, inclusive. * * * * Indications so far observed show that this season in New Zealand will be a big one for Australian tourists, as well as other tourists who pass through Sydney on their way to the Dominion. Every ship which arrives from overseas ports appears to have several passengers on their way' to New Zealand, and mostly they are ■after fishing of one kind or another. The fame of New Zealand fish as an edible food has long been high in 'Sydney, and recently' the sport of fishing has enjoyed an equally high reputation. # * * * Wilding Shield results in Wellington have no significance, because men who have been run to a standstill in championship tennis are not fit to play' serious matches for weeks. Tho .strenuous nature of big tennis may' be realised from the fact that Bartleet’s socks, with skin adhering to them, had to be cut from his feet after his singles match with Ollivicr. And in half an hour he was out again on the courts to win the doubles championship. .4 ft ft ft It is likely that Cyril Coaffee; joint holder of the world’s record over 100 yds, and Canada’s champion and representative at the last Olympic Games, will wear the maple leaf at Amsterdam next year. Of late little has been heard of him, but he demonstrated recently' that lie retains his brilliance when he beat C. Bowman, tho American champion, and De Hart Hubbard in an invitation 100yds at Toronto in 9 4-osec. * * * * Speed on the tennis court comes from standing alway's with bent knees and feet rather close together, and from moving always with short, quick steps. When you strike a ball, you must never face the net, but always face tho right side of the court. If your left foot in a forehand drive is not well in front of your right at the moment of playing the stroke, you will qever bo able to hit freely'. You will cramp your shot, and push the ball instead of striking it.

A golfer persuaded a friend to try the Royal and Ancient game. Came at length the great day' when the ty r ro stood upon the tec with a driver in his hand. Ho swiped well and truly', and hit the ball almost out of sight. “Now,” he cried excitedly, as lie turned to his friends, “where do I run to?”