LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 395, 2 January 1909, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

(Br Inter-Clot.) Tennis players from all parts of Now Zealand gathered at Nelson for the twentythird .annual Championship ' Meeting,' but there was a certain absence of those who are looked upon as "top-notchers." Only one of the; representative team .who visited New South Wales m 1003 was present, ' namely Peacock, and ho was in nothing lilco form. His stand'against Wilding was not nearly so good as that'made by the Wellington junior player Watkins. When such players as Dickie, Wallace, Swanston, Cox, Laishley, and Grossman do not put in an appearance at a New . Year Meeting, the situation leaves something to-bo desired. .as played in Nelson, is entirely of tho. garden party order—the grounds - are beautiful) the tea dainty, ladies' ■ .dresses charming, but the tennis—well, that is quite a secondary consideration. Only five Nelson, players entered in the New. Zealand Championships, so that tho benefit derived by the looal. players from'having the' meeting held there is nil. ' ' The New; Zealand . Association must be convinced that- it is quite time tba't;an alteration in the allotting of their annual ohampionpiorisbips should be made, and only the four ohief; centres, or possibly some town whore .tenuis is in; such a flourishing way that they could guarantee a fair amoimt of local entries, should bo granted the Chftmpipnship_ Meeting. To do away with all championship tournaments during tho period of the New Zealand. Championships would be-keenly 1 resented by tW; Provincial 'Associations at first, but, if one breads the writing on tho wall: aright, it must : come to pass. , Anyway tho . governing body can be ; relied upon to do what is ■ best in. the general interest. The Brbok courts ( Nelson, are an ideal spot i, for a tennis gathering.-. The six grass courts are in very good condition, arid a comfortable grandstand—seating some three'. hundred people—runs along; the, first three., courts. Tents 'have .been erected under, the trees,' where the weary may rest in the shade, and a delightful little brook runs through .the lower portion of the grounds where players who are "wanted" aTe usually found. There is no hurry or bustle at a Nelson meeting. A genial official looks into the .tea -tent and says"Miss So-and-so, would you mind playing on No. 8 court, when, you - have finished your tea, but don't hurry." .- A. . F. Wilding never , fails to attract a crowd when he goes'on' to the court,-whether it is a single, double, or combined,'and his masterly strokes bring forth' exolafflations of admiration from, spectators who are, however, \ever. ready to applaud a good shot made by his perspiring opponent. , / ~ - ■•• i ; Miss Kathleen ; Braithwaite,' of ; Hastings, is a player who has not yet been seen much in tournament;tennis,; but bids fair to;make a name.- She; has . a .fine, .free - back-hand drive, and gets pace into her forehand shots. This, combined with r an ability,to voTleyrafld cxoellont staying powers, 1 provides her with most things needful to; become"; a player. ; • W Miss who achieved distinction last Easter, .by-defeating-.Miss Nunneley, ..is not playing up to form, and will have to do ■ much; better; ! before; she, can. put up: such another performance. :5 ; \ .- ' ; The Wellington ; Handicap tournament starts to-day. at Day's Bay, and will attract most' of'.the players who have to spend their holidays.at home. • \