LAWNS & LINKS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XXII, 28 November 1896, Page 114

LAWNS & LINKS.

THE opening of the Parnell Lawn, Auckland, took place last Wednesday, to which function there were three hundred invitations issued. There has been quite a change of committee since last year. For this year the President is Mr A. J. Denniston ; Vicepresidents, Rev. Geo. Mac Murray and Mr T. F. Ward ; Committee, Messrs Fripp, L. Rich, R. G. Thomas, <J. R. Younghusband; Hou. Treasurer, Mr W. R. Holmes; Auditor, Mr J. B. Watkis; and Hon. Secretary, Mr J. Preston Stevenson. Mr A. J. Denniston opened the lawn with a very appropriate, neat speech, in which he said it was a great wonder tennis still held its own, as there were now so many counter-attractions, such as golf, bicycling, etc. The afternoon tea, with strawberries and cream, was provided by the gentlemen The table was decorated with absinthe green crinkley paper of vases and pink geraniums and Gloire de Dijon roses. The lawns looked a picture of neatness with their green turf and rows of stately arum lilies, which are now in full bloom. Seats were arranged around the lawns so that the guests might rest themselves ad lib. The tennis players were evidently shy, as on only two courts the racquet and ball was busy, perhaps because it was the opening day, and so many visitors were expected. In Auckland, on the Eden and Epsom lawn last Saturday the players were very busy, and there was a large attendance. The stillness of the air and surroundings was broken only by the continued clap of the ball and racquet, and an occasional faint scream from the gentler sex as a ball went out, or an exclamation in a bass voice from the sterner sex. Dark skirts and light blouses were the order of the day. Amongst those present were Mesdames Snell, Chapman, McFarlane, Gilmore, Clay forth, Udy, Misses Paton (two), Snell, Clark, Brown, Gorrie, Stewart, Hall, Frost, etc. The Eden and Epsom lawn intend holding an open tournament at the beginning of January. Players may enter whether they belong to a club or not, so it is hoped a good number of country players will avail themselves of this opportunity. The annual meeting of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association was held on Friday afternoon. There was a good attendance, most of the associated clubs being present. The following officers were elected :—President. Mr A. Heather ; hon. sec. and treasurer, Mr H. T. MacI.ean; auditor, Mr T. B. Howarth ; match committee to consist of Messrs Paton, Biss, Brabant, Stevenson, Noakes, Harbutt, and Mason. It was decided that the interc'.ub doubles this year should be played in the same way as the singles, the losers dropping out in each round, and should commence on the first Saturday of December. The New Plymouth Lawn Tennis Club have opened their courts, the now indispensable tea being dispensed by the Ladies’ Committee. Although the weather was not propitious there was a good attendance. Polo was played in Potter’s Paddock, Auckland, last Saturday, where there was a large number of playing members, and the various games were contested with great spirit. Amongst the gentleman players I noticed Dr. C. Purchas, Messrs O’Rorke. Bloomfitld, Gordon, Wynyard (two), Claude Purchas, H. Tonks, Elliot, Harrison, Walker, A. Hanna, J. Hanna (who is in Auckland on a visit), McDonald, Whewell, Clarke, Marshal, etc. The day was particularly cold, so that the refreshing cup of tea and dainty cakes were indeed very wel-

come and much appreciated. The Misses Wilkins provided and gracefully presided over the tea. The table was prettily decorated with buttercup silk and nasturtiums. On December sth the polo members have decided to hold a gymkana. Last Wednesday a sad accident occurred to one of Mr Dennis O’Rorke’s ponies. The animal was being held by a little boy, who lost control, and the pony ran into a wall and turned a somersault, breaking its backbone or spinal cord. AUCKLAND AMATEUR ATHLETIC AND CYCLE CLUB'S CARNIVAL. The Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club held its thirty-fourth carnival in the Domain on Saturday last. Some six thousand spectators were present, and the weather, though at first a little doubtful in the morning, turned out perfect in the afternoon. Fine weather is a sine qua non for the amateurs’ summer meeting. Then it is that the feminine world of Auckland have made it a practice to appear in all the glory of their fresh summer apparel, as one ardent admirer of the sex put it, like butterflies emerged from the chrysalis state. On the present occasion the Domain was perhaps brighter than it has ever been with beautiful costumes, and the presence of an excellent band aided in no small degree to the gaiety of the scene. During the afternoon tea was provided by the Club in a large marquee. The ground was in excellent condition for both foot and cycle events, and all the races came off very successfully. The new starting machine for pedestrians invented by Mr B. A. Laurie, was tried for the first time, and excited a great deal of interest. The event of the day so far as the cycling was concerned was E. Reynolds’ one mile exhibition ride. Paced by a tandem and then by two singles, Reynolds succeeded in lowering his previous record-the champion one for the Domain—covering the distance in 2 min 27 3-sth secs. J. Thompson carried off the Club’s Victor Ludorum, winning the one, two (ladies’ bracelet) and three mile wheel races. L. W. Graham came second, winning the halfmile and five-mile races. The 150 yd. Maiden was won by A. Moncur, the one mile walk by D. Wilson, the 100 yd. Handicap by P. M. Thomson, the Half-mile Handicap by E. A. Stone, the 120 yd. Hurdles Handicap by G. Smith, the 250 yd. Handicap by P. M. Thomson, the One-mile Handicap by James McKean, the Three-mile Walking Handicap by D. Wilson, the 440 yd. Hurdles Handicap by R. Oliphant, and the high jump by C. C. Laurie (who did sft yin clear of his handicap of or one inch below Bailey’s New Zealand record, and the Half-mile Handicap by H. V. Buchanan. Messrs F. W. Edwards, T. B. O’Connor, and A. H. Cotter acted as judges, and Messrs J. Marshall, G. Reid, and G. Dunnett as time keepers.