Lawn Tennis.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 16, 16 October 1912, Page 7

Lawn Tennis.

WELLINGTON.

(By

ROMULUS.)

Mastertoil Club. THE thirty-first annual meeting of the powerful Wairara-pa dub was held on Wednesday week, the Rev. Dean McKenna presiding. The annual report and balancesheet (which showed a credit balance of £2B 5/1) were read and adopted, the chairman congratulating the members on the increased prosperity and popularity of the club. It was decided to register the club under the Unclassified Societies Act, 1908. A new set of rules, embracing amendments and additions to the. existing rules, was received and adopted. A vote of thanks to Miss Holmes was recorded for valuable services in the past, and regret expressed at that lady severing her connection with the Masterton Lawn Tennis Club owing to leaving the district. The following officers were elected for the current season: President, Rev. Dean McKenna; vice-presidents, Messrs AV. D. Bunting and D. Caselberg; lion, secretary, Mr H. Al. Boddington; lion, treasurer, Air A. R. Sclanders; lion, auditor, Air G. C. Summcrell; management committee, Alessrs G. G. Aitken, J. BGordon. Norman James, A. L. Lowe, and S. Noble-Campbell. Tararua Club. The annual general meeting of the Tararua Club was held at Carterton (Mr H. E. Jackson’s residence) on 3rd October, and the season opened with a Combined A'ankee Tournament on Saturday week. The club’s finances had considerably improved during the previous year, the balance-sheet showing an increase of £lO To the opening balance. Officers were elected as under:—President, Air AV. C. Buchanan, ALP.; vice-presidents, Alessrs A\. IL Booth, 11. R. Bunny, T. E. Alaunsell, 11. If. Wolters and Rev. R. Young; hon. seerctury, Air C. P. Bowen:

hon. treasurer, Mr T. E. Mautvseill; hon. auditor, Mr W. C. Deller; management •oiumittee, Alessrs AV. H. Booth, Aliases Effie and G. Booth, Messrs IL E. Jackson and R. AV. Roydhouse. Clareville Tenuis and Croquet Club. The sixth annual general meeting of the above club was held on AVednesday week, Air J. At. Beechey presiding over a fair attendance of members. The an nuad report and balance-sheet, which showed a satisfactory credit balance, was adopted. The season was opened on Thursday, 10th inst. The election of officers had the following residt:—Patroness, Airs Dakin; patron, Mr AV. C. Buchanan, M.P.; vice-presidents, Alessrs J. Al. Beechey, C. Campbell, J. Gravestock, AV. Harkness, 8. A. Pull, T. J. Rathbone, T. Ray, G. Sievers; hon. secretary, Alias E. E. Priest; hon. auditor. Air O. 8. Reid; management committee, Airs Pull, Aliss Dakin. Alessrs J. AL Beechey, and J. Fisher. Tennis in Christchurch. Tennis matters in the Cathedral City are quiet as yet. \V. Sheppard, formerly of Newtown and Wellington Clubs, is still improving, as his latest performance, indicates. He reached the final of the Linwood Club’s Championship, and was just, beaten by veteran AV. Goss in a strenuous five-set match, 6-3. 10-8, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4 (29 games to 27), \V. IL Kiver has gone to Australia, ■and L. Bennington is in England—both of them for good. G. Ollivier left, by Sydney boat on Friday week en route ■to Melbourne, where he will compete in the A’ictorian Championships, and be on hand for Davis Cup if required. General Notes. The English Team (challengers for Hio Davis Cup against Australasia at Melbourne on November 28, 29, and 30) is due to arrive in Australia on October 21 (Monday next). The dales for the New Zealand tour have been fixed, anil we are to have C. P. Dixon, J. C. Parke, A. E. Beamish, and F.-G. Lowe with us

for a period of 23 days between December 18 and January 10. Tennis players in Wellington are beginning to concern themselves about the Day’s Day courts, as, owing *to the negotiations entered into by the Eastbourne Borough Council for the purchase of the Ferry Company’s Steamers, nothing definite is known as to whether the association will be successful in getting another lease. The management Committee of the W.P.L.T.A. should once more take up 'the question of securing permanent courts for the association —an urgent matter. Official openings set down for Saturday last were Hutt (whose courts are the picture of perfection this season), Muritai, Puketoa (Mitchelltown), and Tara run (Carterton). Bichvill Street, much weakened these days, holds its opening function on October 2d, while Lyall Bay has selected Labour Day (October 28) for the ceremonv.

AUCKLAND.

(By “Footfault.”) The Coming Season. During this month “energetic and capable’’ secretaries will be busy sending out notices of the opening day to members, and invitations to past patrons and friends. I was going to say players would be looking lovingly on their new racquets, but I’m afraid this will not be the ease with all, as the recent dock strikes have, somewhat upset the shipments of tennis goods. Many of the local houses have not even yet received advise as to when their goods will be arriving. On perusing the dates of tennis tournaments held during the season in the Old Country, one finds that they- start the last week in March, and go right on till the second week in October without a break. Things are very different out here, as, although tennis is flourishing, there are not yet enough players to warrant open tournaments being held in other than the chief towns. Last season was not at all pleasant from a weather point of view. Although one or two clubs opened early in October, the line spell was only temporary, ami it was well into November before any’ of the local courts were really fit to play on. Even then the weather could not be relied on for more than a few days at a stretch. Though we can scarcely expect it, there is nothing to prevent us hoping a line season, ami if by some providential miracle we should get it, it is fairly safe to say that by the end of the season the game will have improved in this country more than any previous season. The hard court is the only begetter of the true bound, and the true bound tends to produce freedom of style. Last season wet courts necessitated a cramped style. With the advent of an exhibition game by the English Davis ( up players, tennis in this city will boom more than ever. A most important rule was passed last season by the English Association which clearly defines the amateur status. It reads as follows:—“No money, cheque, order for money, or order for goods in any form shall be offered or given as a prize; and the amount actually paid for a prize shall in no case be below the advertised value of the same.” A deal of correspondence has taken place in the English papers over this new rule, and latest tiles show that at the annual meeting, which takes place in November, much interest will be taken in the voting on an alteration allowing for orders being given for prizes as heretofore. ’This season the Association has adopted a new ball made in Melbourne by the Dunlop Rubber Co. From tests given by several of our leading players during the winter months thes*’ balls caipe out with flying colours. The Dunlop Rubber Co. presented the Association with a shield, which has b<*en allotted' fo competition between teams (consisting of two players) from each town chib. This competition should prove most interesting, and should go a long way towards improving our players* standard. I hr A-*o« iation has several times discussed the <|iiestiou of securing courts of its own. Many suggestions have been made, but so far nothing has taken any definite form. \\ hat I consider the one most Miiitablr is that the Eden Cricket Club and the Association endeavour to come to some arrangement whereby courts could be laid down on the land recently acquired by the former. It in well known that the Melbourne Cricket Club have tennis and bowling greens

adjoining their cricket field, and I understand that they find it works splendidly. Why not try it here? It’s no use trying to secure space on any public reserve. The Davis Cup. In view of the coming contest for the above enp, the following article in the "I.awn Tennis and Badminton’ should be of great interest:— "It must be gratifying to the L.T.A to notp the favourable reception of the names of their team, and the general satisfaction expressed with the results of their efforts in regard to the Davis Cup tie and the subsequent tour of Australia. The British Isles may have had better teams in the past, notably when the Dohertys and Smith and Riseley were available, but these were exceptionally happy times, and not for several years has such a promising choice been made as that of the present, as C. P. Dixon, J. C. Parke, A. E. Beamish, ami F. F. Lowe are a quartet of striking possibilities. , “Since he was first chosen as international. Dixon, with his first experience of America to help him, has ripened his game considerably, and stands out as the best singles player of the day in England, and a man who, on his Davis Cup form at Folkestone, ought to have won the championship, or at least to have severely pressed the holder of the title. Of Parke it may be said that he is a better tactician and master of more strokes than was the case when he first went to America with J. G. Ritchie in 1908, he having benefited by recently enjoying more play in the top class than usual. Beamish, as he illustrated in the Davis Cup doubles with America last season, is capable of a great deal, and of late has revealed signs of eradicating his annoying tendency to complete collapses in singles, whilst he has undoubtedly strengthened his doubles game in company with Parke. Whether Lowe will be called upon for the Davis Cup tie or held in reserve for the subsequent tour is a matter for conjecture, and it is quite a debatable point as to whether Dixon, despite his doubles success of last year with Beamish, would not be well advised to leave the four-handed game at Melbourne to Parke and Beamish, and concentrate his attentions on the singles, lest in the heat of Australia he might run the risk of overtaxing himself. At present there is a concensus of opinion that Parke should' be the second string for the singles, but much depends upon the condition of our mon after the long sea journey and the form in the preliminary practice. “Unless Norman Brookes, Australia’s sole selection, has a surprise in store ami calls up one of Australia's rising players, of whom A. B. Jones may be mentioned, the probability is that he will again rely upon the assistance of A AV. Dunlop and R. W. Death. That Dunlop is still taking the game seriously is indicated by the announcement that he and Brookes contemplate a world's tour in 1914, whilst Heath is entitled to further consideration by reason of his victory over \V. A. Larned in the last challenge round, although it is common knowledge that the famous American was handicapped in this match by serious indisposition, and the result could not be. accepted as a conclusive guide to contemporary form. Were the services of A. F. Wilding available, we should not feel sanguine as to the success of the British Isles team, but, under existing conditions, they appear to have a good sporting chance, of re-capturing the trophy Brookes and Wilding won at Wimbledon in 1907. In many ways this would be a fine thing for the competition. as next year, with the contest played on this side, we should doubtless once more welcome the presence of the American players, ami look with confidence to the entry of France, and probably that of Germany, whilst it is thought that South Africa may enter the lists. With all this in prospect the game would enjoy a record’ year, and Wimbledon a record “boom,” especially if Australasia were among the challengers. "Meanwhile it behoves everyone to approach the forthcoming challenge round in a sporting spirit, and not to be prepared to shoot our team if they fail to win. On this point the "Evening Standard” has taken a line of criticism that appeals to us in quite the proper strain, ami is worthy of reproduction, as follows: —'As the forthcoming tour has wider interests than the winning of the Davis Cup, it is to be hoped that the British Isles team, composed of C. P. Dixon, A. E. Beamish, J. C. Parke and F. G. Lowe, will not be uneportingly condemned if their best efforts in this direction should fail. The tour has a sporting mission apart from the issue of the

Davis Cup tie, and the L.T.A. decided some time ago to send a team to tour through Australia in the interests of the game at large, and the criticism based on the contention that no team at all should go out unless a Davis Cup victory was a practical certainty, calls for condemnation on sporting grounds. Actually the present team is one of great possibilities. Should Australia, successfully defend the cup against it, the holders will deserve every credit, as, after all, the British Isles, with its thousands of players, will stand or fall by four of its first half-dozen, against a country of comparatively limited resources. This is no mean consideration, especially as Australasia may not have the services of A. F. Wilding, and it should not be taken for granted, in view of the ability and experience of our team, that the absence, of Gore and Roper Barrett will make all the ditierence between victory and defeat. We want no apologies for a reverse before the battle is fought, nor do we need to shed tears if we are beaten in what, after all, is a sporting match, which both sides cannot win. There is satisfaction in the fact that we are not shirking the issue.’ ” The Champion and His Business Claims. A. F. Wilding, the. champion, whose retirement from serious lawn tennis has been announced, has written to "Fry s Magazine” as follows: — "The rumour to which you refer is unfortunately very near the truth. In the strict sense of the word it is now incumbent upon me to retire from serious firstclass tennis. Those only who have experienced it are capable of understanding how much time, trouble, and energy is necessary to win or retain the lawn tennis championship. ’ Roughly speaking, players competing for highest lawn tennis honours can be placed in three categories: —The fortunate ones who have no care in the world but their favourite game. "2.—The business men who can always arrange their absence from their offices to suit them. "3.— The business men who, though they can get away fairly often, are entirely dependent on circumstances as to when and when not they can absent themselves from the more serious affairs of life. “In this latter category I unfortunately place myself. For example, it is quite conceivable that during the Wimbledom Week of next year it will be necessary for me to be up in the forest lands of Northern Sweden. If such should prove to be the ease it would be useless to return to London a few days before the challenge round is played and hope to do oneself justice. I love the game far too well ever to give it up in the broad sense of the word, and hope to go on playing as long as I can hold a recquet. Further, whenever time permits, I hope to take part in tournaments. But one point is quite clear, tennis has now to give way to business. "With regard to defending the championship next year, it is a matter which rests entirely on the particular circumstances next July. If it is possible to get the requisite time for practice and training, I will enter the lists. Bnt if; as is more likely to be the case, I am abroad and unable to spare the time to train and get in form there will be no challenge round as far as I am concerned. I am glad, Mr Editor, that you wrote to me, as it has given me the opportunity of explaining my position. It.is far more satisfactory to explain the facts now than to retire from the championship at the last moment without assigning any adequate reason. Tennis is, without doubt, one of the finest games ever played, and I confess to a fondness for it amounting almost to a passion. But it must have occurred to everyone, even the most enthusiastic of us, that there are other things in the world besides this game. "Further, these ‘other things,’ though they do not give us the same keen excitement and momentary enjoyment, aro in the long run far more lasting and tangible. For this and other reasons too obvious to enumerate, I think business should come first and tennis after. During the happy years that tennis was the most important consideration in life I formed many friendships, which I hope will always endure, and encountered practically nothing but sportsmanship in the largest ami truest seine of the word. —Yours very truly, Avtiw»ny F. WlioINfi.” Note*. We regard this as a fitting time to i-e> mind club secretaries that mu' oolumna are open for the reception of club notes, which should be brief and to the point*

and written on one side of the paper only. We have heard players complain on the score that they see nothing about their clubs in the papers, and we generally refer them to their elub secretaries, upon whom the responsibility rests. Country notes will also be welcomed, and we remind all correspondents that their communications for current issue must reach us by Monday morning’s mail. The will of the late Major Clopton Wingfield, who was credited with having invented modern lawn tennis, has been proved at £47,903. IT. L. Doherty has been showing great form at golf during the past season. He annexed the Mid-Surrey senior golf medal with a scratch score of 74. 11.11.11. the Prince of Wales is to receive instruction in lawn tennis from Tom Burke, the well-Ipiown professional.