LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 710, 15 October 1903, Page 14

LAWN TENNIS.

At the annual general meeting of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association a motion that it be a recommendation .to the management committee that Miss Nunneley be required to play only in the final of the ladies’ championship singles was rejected by 16 votes to 2. The effect of this resolution is that Miss Nunneley will play all through the contest, in accordance with her own expressed wish. The feeling of the meeting was that the bulk of the lady players had of late improved sufficiently in play to afford reasonable prospect of good games being played by some of the ladies against Miss Nunneley. Certainly it is high time some other lady was forthcoming who is able to tackle the redoubtable lady champion on even terms, but I am afraid most of them seem to lose heart before the game starts and play much below form.

It is the intention of the Eden and Epsom Lawn Tennis Club to officially open the courts for the season next Saturday, weather permitting. This is earlier than usual, but the lawns are in excellent condition, and a good season is being looked forward to.

’ The annual general meeting of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Club was held last week. Mr Thomas Jackson was in the chair. There was a large attendance, fully half of the club members being present. The report and balance-sheet showed that after having spent £l5 on improving the courts,the club have the large credit balance of £3O 15s 6d to commence the seasan with. This strong financial position is largely due to the untiring efforts of Messrs) Palethorpe, Pullen and E. B. Vaile. The following office bearers were elected :—President, Mr Thos. Jackson : vice-presidents, Dr. Parkes, Messrs' R. H. Abbott, B. Kent, A. B. J. Irvine and A. Myers ; committee, Messrs Coates, Wylie, Halliwell and Keesing ; ladies’ committee, Mrs Coates, Mrs Palethorpe and Misw Picken ; secretary, Mr H. G. Palethorpe (care of Thos. Cook and Son) ; treasurer, Mr F. J. Pullen ; ground superintendent, Mr E. B. Vaile. The prizes for last season’s tournament were presented. It was decided to open the lawns on October 24. About ten new members were elected. The meeting terminated with votes of thanks to the secretary and treasurer.

The New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association has appointed the following officers for the season :—Patron, His Excellency the Governor ; president, Mr R. M. Simpson (Wellington) ; vice-presidents, as nominated by the various l associations; secretary and treasurer, Mr G. N. Goldie ; delegate to English Association, Viscount Horncastle ; auditor, Mr G. Mackin ; management committee, Messrs Freeman, Parker, Young, Sloman, Fraser, Jones and Laishley ; Appeal Council, Messrs Red ward, Young, H. M. Gore, Parker and Freeman.

The Dohertys have just published a book on lawn tennis, entitled “R. F. and H. L. Doherty on Lawn Tennis,” which promises to be excellent reading and full of useful hints an the game. The first chapter deals with the strokes and the correct positions of the player in making same, the distance from the ground at which the ball should be struck, body swing, etc. Hints on service, smashing at the net, and volleying are then dealt with. Then follows the art of lobbing and following up to the net. Chapters are also included on training, practising, and match playing, and there is also a chapter on hints to beginners. The remainder ofthe volume is given up to reminiscences of the Dohertys, to an account of ladies play by Miss Lowther, and discussions by G. W. Hillyard on “ Grass Courts,” and by Eustace Miles on “ Tennis as, Compared with Other Games.