RETURN OF LADY TENNIS PLAYERS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 506, 13 May 1909, Page 6

RETURN OF LADY TENNIS PLAYERS.

WELCOME BY THE MAYOR.. •, ', The victorious ladies'-, tonnis team, sent over to Australia, by the-Tennis Association, returned to Wellington by the Moana yesterday, and at noon was welcomed by his Worship the Mayor (Drl: A. K. Newman) in tho Mayor's room at', the Town Hall.' Tlio members of the team 'and their friends were introduced to his' Worship. by Mr. Goldie, secretary. of. tlio New Zoaiaud Lawn -Tennis Association. ■ Among ; thoso present was. Mr. •' H. ..A... Cook,: vice-president of the Auckland Association. ... : . •• -. ■ . ;• rTlie Mayor, in welcoming * the team, said that it had been the'fashion, in the past to ! welcome footballers and cricketers, • and' he did not see why this custom: should'not bo' extended: to ■ the tennis players after thosplendid'performance they had put up. Ho thought it was very creditable.for the team' to have won the - interstate championship. 1 since that' Showed a great degree of general l excellence. He wished, especially to "congratulate Miss' Powdrell on her victory,' When they considered the high'state which tennis had; reached in Australia, and how Brookes had gone Home and won the world's championships. 1 it seemed to him that- tho : lady who could beat all Australia: was do-'' serving of-beirig sent Home; As, Mayor of the'city, he was looking into' the-matter of-, the oity reserves, and'he did' not sob why : the young men and womon who played' tennis should not'have grounds set aside for them. It was becoming the fashion in - other towns to provide gronnds for golf, croquet, and all sports that were healthy. 1 In the past, they'lwd, been apt to side-track the ladies in:the matter of sports,• but he. thought they, should also, receive' consideration and 'encouragement, and to this end' he would endeavour, during tho year, to find' some' grounds which might be Set apart for tennis, in conclusion, he congratulated tho' team, and Miss Powurell especially, on the results of the tour, and ho hoped that the tonnis enthusiasts' would rally, round th«' lady champion, and see' about sending her Home, to compoto in wider tennis' circles. ' On behalf of tho association, Mr. H. M. Gore briefly' thanked the Mayor for his welcome;. ' .. On a speech from the ladles being ! asked for. Misb Nunneley said that the team had had' a ■ right' royal time in' Australia, , and thov wero very gratoful. to tho association for sending.them. The Sydney clubs bad treated them splendidly, and sho, hoped that when a return visit, was paid, they would be able to reciprocate. Sho wished, also, to thank Mr. Goldie very,much for tho elforts ho had . made to bring about this trip. ' , Mr. Goldio, in replying, said ho felt very proud' of the victory >tho- ladies had had. Tboy had ''repeated the. performance of the men's team in 1904. Wlicn tho 1904 team was sent. over, there was very little hopo of its winning, but it had won; - and now' tho ladies had repeated that victory. ■ Speaking as an ex-Victorian tennis player Mr. Blair eulogised the ladies for their victory, which ho thought was a very fine, one,: considering the, high standard which ha' know their opponents reached. Mr. F. ,M. B. Fisher, in congratulating' tho ladies on their win, said that in tho past a very high standard of play had", been 1 set by Miss Nunncloy. It was duo to Miss i'on-droU's persistence in pursuing this standard, and finally passing, it, that New: Zealand tonnis had attained the high degree at which it now stood. He oxtended. his heartiest congratulations to tho'members of the team, and a vote of thanks to the ' Mayor for welcoming them on behalf of tho citizens. (Applause.; • , The gathoring concluded with three cheers for tho team. : '