LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 25, 21 December 1910, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS.

(By

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELL! NGTON, Saturday. A great deal of surprise was occasioned when players realised that the inter-club competitions were not being proceeded with on Saturday, as no notice to that effect was issued by the Association during the week. The writer had spoken to dozens of players, and not once had there been any suggestion of suspension. As a matter of fact, fixtures have lieen drawn and published for the Saturdays starting from 28th January, and as the matches postponed last Saturday owing to the wretched weather must be played first, the dates for the remainder of the season will consequently have to be revised and published again. In any case, there was hardly sufficient reason for not playing the matches on Saturday, a decision all the more extraordinary on account of the reticence of the match committee, as a great many players were not aware of the further postponement until they turned out on their courts, and apart from other considerations, it was one of the best days of the year. Private advices received in Wellington on Friday from S. N. Doust, the Australian crack player, make it appear extremely doubtful that the proposed Visit of an Australian representative team will eventuate. Indeed, he states that owing to the very short space of time existing in which the various associations have to make the arrangements, the team will not be coming, nor any of the individual players excepting 11. A. Parker, who. despite his residence in Australia, regularly attends the New Zealand championship. The news has caused great disappointment in tennis circles here, and will detract from the immense amount of interest that otherwise would have been taken in_lhe Blenheim carnival. The following teams are now leading in the various competitions, which • land adjourned until the 28th January: MEN’S COMPETITIONS. “V Grade. Thorndon. “B" Grade. Petone. *’C” Grade. Brougham Hill and Khanda liah. *D” Grade. Johnsonville. LADIES’ COMPETITIONS. **B Grade. Petone. “ Grade. Khandallah and St. John’s. The *A’’ Grade has l>een completed for the season. Thorndon being the winning tea m. MISCELLANEOLS. Tin Thorndon Club will be well represented at the Tennis Carnival in Blenheim. the following players intending to compete: —Mrs. Marchbanks, Misses Nunnelly, Butterworth. Simpson, Messrs, •peacock. Fisher. Smythe, and Didsbury. Hutt ladies defeated Thorndon in a return match played on the Suburban Club’s courts on Monday week. A very enjoyable afternoon was spent by the town players, who returned well satislied with the outing and the day’s 'tennis. several times Wellington provincial champion, will be Brougham 44 ill’s sole representative in the New Zealand championships. Brown will occupy a similar role for Wellington, as Salmond cannot go across to Blenheim. H. W. is reported to be pairing with H. A. Parker, should the ’latter come over from Sydney, and a pretty warm proposition it would be. The same pair created a sensation in the tennis world in New Zealand by defeating A. F. Wilding and F. M. B. Fisher in the final of the Taranaki Championship Doubles two seasons ago. There is a likelihood, however, of Parker playing with his old (lartner Quill. PROG KAM ME OF TOC BN AM ENTS. Tennis players throughout New Zealand will have some difficulty in selecting the tournaments on which to bestow their patronage during the ( hi istmas and New •Year holidays, whilst players in the Wellington Province also have the choice of three or four additional meetings about Anniversary Day (22nd January). A detailed list of the many tournaments authorised is subjoined:-—

ROMULUS.)

CHAMPIONSHIPS. New Zealand, at Blenheim, December 26, 27, and 28. Entries close December 19. Marlborough, at Blenheim, December 29, 30, 31, and January 2. Entries close December 19. Hawke’s Bay. at Napier, December 31, January 2 and 3. Entries close December 24. Rangitikei, at Marton, December 26 and South Canterbury, at Ashburton, December 26. 27 and 28. Entries close December 19. Southland at Invercargill, December 26, 27, and 28. Wellington Provincial, at Masterton. January 21, 23, and 24. Entries close Friday, January 13. with Mr. A. R. Sclanders lion, secretary, Masterton L.T.C. Taranaki, at New Plymouth, January 26, 27, and 28. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS (Open). Hastings, December 26, 27 and 28. Entries close December 21. Pahiatua, January 2 and 3. Entries close December 28. Dannevirke, January 21, 23 and 24. HANDICAPS. Auckland, at Auckland, December 24, 26 and 27. Wellington, at Day’s Bay, December 26 and 27. Entries close December 19 4 Monday). Hastings, at Hastings, December 26, 27, and 28. Entries close December 21. Rangitikei. at Marton, December 26 and 27. South Canterbury, at Ashburton, December 26, 27. and 28. Entries close December 17. Southland, at Invereargill, December 26, 27, and 28. Hawke’s Bay, at Napier, December 31. January 2 and 3.' Entries close December 24. Pahiatua. at Pahiatua, January 2 and 3. Entries close December 28. Masterton, at Masterton, January 21, 23, and 24. Entries elose January 13. Dannevirke, at Dannevirke, January 21, 23, and 24. Taranaki, at New Plymouth. January 26, 27, and 28. FIRST ROUNDS COMPLETED. In addition to the ladies’ senior championship, which has been completed, and the men’s ditto, which is practically over excepting for a couple of postponed matches, the following tables show the positions of the various teams in three of the remaining competitions, the first rounds of which ended a fortnight ago: —

Miscellaneous.

G. A. Hurley joins the contingent of local players (A. G. Austin, Duncan, Cornell, and Ward) making the journey to Hastings at Christmas for that club’s open championship tournament. The veteran Brougham Hill player was present at the 1907 Hastings meeting, along

(with Lewis, 'Jones, and D. M. Kean (pre sent secretary of the Association), but did not take |>art. The proposal of the Lawn Tennis Association (England )\ to institute annual matches between England and America; irrespective of Davis Cup contests, has been referred to the International Match Committee. - • ' In the Public Schools Championships, concluded on Monday week, Petone and Kilbirnie were the winners of the senior and junior grades respectively. The championship singles were won bv the undeimentioned players, who all showed good form. Jones and Miss Curtis in particular giving promise of great ability: — SENIOR. Boys’ Singles.—Jones (Clyde Quay). Gills’ Singles.—Miss N. Curtis (Petone) . JUNIOR. Boys’ Singles.—Hicks (Clyde Quay). Girls’ Singles.—Miss M. Rigg (Kilbirnie) . Mr D. M. Kean, lion, secretary of the W.P.L.T.A., and his predecessor in that office'. Mr T. H. Jones, are lioth going over to Blenheim to witness the New Zealand championships. Both of these players have lieen closely connected with the management of the last three tournaments in Wellington, and the former’s absence in particular will be keenly felt, as he is the present executive officer of the Association.