LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XX, 17 November 1900, Page 920

LAWN TENNIS.

Recognising that public interest in lawn tenuis is daily increasing, we have entered into arrangements to include in the columns of the “Graphic” an interesting and complete series of personal notes, criticisms, reports, and occasional short articles on the tactics of the game during the pi esent season, and as we do not think that a systematic attempt to do this has previously been made by any other paper in New Zealand, we therefore confidently look for the support, not only of players but of all lovers of the game. NOTES BY VANTAGE. The proposed visit, of a Victorian team to the Championship Meeting at Christchurch in December promises to be the most important event up to the present time in the history of New Zealand lawn tennis. The Association has gracefully thrown all events open to the visitors, and no doubt an inter-colonial match will be played. 1 understand that Victoria will be represented by Messrs Dunlop. Diddams, Waters, and another. I have had the pleasure of playing against Dunlop in a match, ami I have no hesitation in saying that lie is a shade better than any New Zealand player, although of course he may not be seen to advantage after a. long sea trip and under changed conditions. The veteran player It. D. Harman has won back the Championship of Canterbury, of which he was dispossessed last year by Cox. Harman is not the player he was early in the nineties, the reason being that “anno doiuini” is becoming apparent, and though lie practised hard and consistently, fortune favoured him considerably. In his match with Fisher, the latter was short of practice, ami played a most erratic game. Liutle who was expected to win the final after putting out A. Wilding, junr., strained his knee and gave Harman a walk over. Miss Nunneley, who has held the Ladies’ Championship of New Zealand for five consecutive years, will arrive in Christchurch about December 15th. and will immediately start hard practice. It is not expected that she will experience much difficulty in retaining her title, thong’ll Miss M. Simpson, the winner of the A-11-Comers event last year is a much improved player, and is slowly but surely closing up the gap that exists between them. There is a remote chance that C. C. Cox, the ex-champion, will arrive in New Zealand in time to take part in the championships. Cox went to South Africa with the Fourth Contingent, and is now, 1 understand, trying for a commission in the S.A. Police. If he is unsuccessful in this attempt he will probably return about December 10th. The Canterbury players pinned their faith to Cox last year at Palmerston, and still fancy he did not do himself justice, his down fall at the hands of Peacock coming as a great surprise to all but the cognoscenti. Were it not for the introduction of an unknown quantity in the shape of the Australians, Auckland might reasonably expect l\er representatives to bring back the championship banner if Misses Nicholson and Gorrie and Messrs Hooper, Parker, and Peacock could all be persuaded to make the trip South. 1 am sorry to hear, however, that Hooper is not likely to attend the meeting. As 1 have private advice from Christchurch that the Southerners are looking forward with the greatest interest to his re-appear-ance on their courts, where he won his first New Zealand championship in 1894, his absence will be a great disappointment, more particularly as we shall not be able to obtain a satisfactory comparison between our best players and the Australians. It is to be hoped that he will reconsider his decision not to go. The rules for inter-club matches drafted by Mr J. C. Peacock have been submitted to and passed by the delegates to the Association. The dates fixed for the matches are December 15, January 19, and February 9, and each team will be composed of six ladies and six men. Tournament and match play are necessary if young players wish to improve, and the healthy rivalry engendered amongst members competing for the honour of representing their respective clubs in these matches should aid materially in raising the standard of double play in Auckland.

The grounds of the Eden and Epsom Club were thrown opeu on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday, and a large number of members availed themselves of the opportunity to have an enjoyable day’s tennis. The lawn looked particularly pretty in the afternoon, when a great many ladies and friends of members were present. The Ladies’ Committee kindly provided afternoon tea for visitors and members, and everything passed oft very satisfactorily. Among the leading players present were Miss Gorrie, the Misses Stewart, ■ Messrs Hooper, Parker, Vaile, C. Heather, E. Brown, and H. D. Bamford. Dr. F. W. Coates has been offered the presidency of the Eden and Epsom Club, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr Heather. The latter gentleman has held this office for fourteen consecutive years, and the leading position of the Club at the present time is in a great measure due to his generous support. In Dr. Coates the Club will secure a most able successor to Mr Heather, and the valuable knowledge he has gained during his extensive connection with the game both at Home and in the colony' should prove of the greatest value to the Club. Mr Erie Rice, who has spent the last year in Christchurch, has returned to Auckland for the long vacation. Judging by his form last Saturday', he is unquestionably a rising player, and will prove an acquisition to the Eden and Epsom team in the inter-club matches. Another new member of the same club is Mr L. Mair, the champion of Coromandel, who lias been transferred to Auckland. I have not seen Mr Mair play yet, but from his reputation I should consider he is also safe for a place in the team. At the annual meeting of the Association the question of encouraging lawn tennis in secondary schools was discussed, and Messrs T. F. Upfil and A. A. Davies were appointed a subcommittee to interview’ the headmasters of schools in Auckland with the idea of ascertaining their views on the subject. At the next meeting, when the report of the sub-committee was received, Mr P. A. Vaile, the wellknown player, who was present,’ strongly advocated that the movement should include all boys and girls' in the Provincial District of Auckland, and further stated that if his suggestion were adopted and satisfactory arrangements could be made,' he would offer a gold medal for the winner of the Boys’ Championship. Mr A. E. D’Arcy supported Mr Vaile in a few’ well chosen remarks, and, said that he would be pleased to fol-' low with a gold medal,for the girls. The secretary was accordingly instructed to write to all clubs in the' district to find out what supporC the 1 Association might rely on from Country dubs. On last Saturday afternoon. I took advantage of the neatly printed invitation of the West. End club and attended the opening function, which was an unqualified success. The weather was perfect and about 500 people were present to partake of the hospitality of an energetic committee. A first-class band was in attendance to enliven proceedings, and an untiring ladies’ committee dispensed afternoon tea, etc., which was much appreciated, especially by the players. The president (Mr C.- J. Parr) made a happy speech in declaring the lawn open for the season, and gave a brief history of tennis, which was" most interesting. The improvements wrought in the court s were noteworthy," and I could scarcely believe ' that'only ‘ two years ago a large uncultivated paddock was the scene of the present courts. The ’lawns were perfect, and one old player remarked he. had not played on better courts in New Zealand. No doubt the committee of the West End club have achieved wonders. This is the result of real hard work. Notwithstanding the'great expense incurred by the club the season is opened with a substantial credit balance, thanks to. the treasurer (Mr C. H. Jones) whose financial policy has been worthy of. a Chancellor, of the Exchequer. I was pleased to see a number of old players present, including the popular veteran, C. McMasters, who plays a good game still, being more than a match for many of the younger players. “Joe” Caldwell was showing promising form, the result of winter practice. “Herb.” Gentles was present showing some improvement, probably the result of “wrinkles” gained on the Continent last year. John Peacock is the' champion of the lawn, and will most likely be Auck-

land’s champion this season; perhaps the ehumpion of the colony. His play has unproved considerably. My notes concerning the play of the other male members will be continued next week. 'The membership of the club is, 1 understand, very strong this season. I noticed a good number of new members. There were a large number of lady members present, though not much play was indulged in by them. I shall have a little to say next week about the play of these.