LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1079, 18 March 1911, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

(Bx Side-line.)

Tournament Fixtures. Otago Easter Tournament, at Dunedin, April 14, 15, 17. Entries close April 4. Rdtorua Easter Tournament, at Rotorua, April 15, 17, 18. Canterbury Easter Tournament, at Christchurch, April 14, 15, 17, 18, Last Saturday's Wash-Up. Owing to the decision of tlio Match Committee this week to declare the season finished, with regard to inter-club fixtures, last Saturday became the last day of play. Should the remaining matches have been played, tho positions of the teams would not, in nil probability, have been altered. Clubs generally are now eager, owing to tho lateness of the season, to finish off their own handicaps and championships, some of which, by tho way, aro barely begun : The day's play provided some thoroughgoing contests, that between Petono and Brougham Hill I being particularly interesting. Parkinson, though not unbeaten during tho season, has nevertheless proved a very solid proposition; his defeat of Sampson was full of merit. In tho first set "four all" was called, but ParkinMil took the next two games and set, only one aco being scored against him. The next set went gaiho and game until "four all" was called, when Parkinson won on his service. Then each player look a lame on his service, the set ending G—s in 'favour of Parkinson'. In tho latter stages of the match Sampson was compelled to keep to his back line, and Parkinson's driving was very effective. Duncan finished nil unbeaten record for this season, and also (the writer undcritandM, Inst season.,as well, by completely d'cmblislilhg' , 'L!iwreiice. ,! 'l)iUl(!an took the first three' game in the set with only two aces against him. Then Lav.renco took two—tho second a love game—after which tho games went on service, Duncan winning fi—4. Til© next set was a runaway affair, Duncan finishing at G—o. Austiu had not much trouble with Veen (last week, by a typographical error, confused with Kean), who has lost much of tho sting that was ill his play when in Wellington before. llarriner by no means had it all his own way with Andrews, and was lucky to win his two sets straight. The doubles Aid not make any alteration in the result, and that may somewhat explain the reversal of form in tho first match, Petono going down G—s in the first set, and G—2 in the second. Tho play, however, was fairly even, tho record of aces being 74 to G2 in favour of Brougham Hill. . TT Trinity won from Victoria College II fairly easily, Crewes adding to his record by an easy win from Fair. Loughnan won his match —tho only ono for (ho team—taking a three-set 90 from Correll, and he also was associated in tho only other set'won by his side. Brougham Hill II won fairly comfortably from Victoria College I. Townsend took a good match from Parker. Though Parker took the first set at G—l, the play was very even, and the result of the succeeding set about places the relative strength of tho men, viz., G—s, G—s, in favour of Townsend. Duncan beat Barton, playing a solid game. Taylor took the second match for the College, beating Kean, whom ho wore out at G—4, G—s. Tho doubles went to Brougham Jlill, but the whole play was very even, and tho day finished with a dispartiy of only six games between the sides. The men's C urado match, Brougham Hill I v. Kilbirnie, resulted in a big ' balance of games in favour of Brougham Hill. Worboys won his match from Butcher after somo very hard play. AYorboys nicks up and anticipates with great accuracy, and no doubt has more experience than Butcher. But, on present progress, tho last-named player will mako the better player of five years hence. Mitchell and Stringer did well in defeating ; Dawson and Jack. „ Petone had a very close game with Victoria College, being just four games to the good. i Tho Ladies' Matches.

The Indies' matches were brought to a satisfactory end by the straight-out win by Khandallah over Johnsonvillc. There is little doubt that tho best team has won, although the figures show there is very little to choosc between them. The figures for the final round are:—

Inter-Unjversity Contest. Tho Easter inter-University contest at Auckland promises to be a big thing in all-round matters, both "brawn and brains" being represented—in ninny instances happily in the same person. Victoria College is sending a good quartet in Clcghorn, Smith, Parker, and Taylor, for the singles and doubles. Indies' events and combined matches are also beinu contested. Duncan would probably be playing tennis if ho had not been running, and M'Doirnll, the College secretary for tennis, may be competing with him. Tho Retort Courteous. . Tho Sydney "Referee," commenting on the place wliero the Davis Cup is to bo played, says:—Now, as to tho placo to play. New Zealand, of course; but Wellington was chosen last year, and if that wero a choice 011 the merits it would, 110 doubt, bo repeated. Since last year, however, the commiteeo of eight who ehoso Wellington, have all been defeated, and a new committee appointed, so there is small doubt of dissatisfaction with last year's choice of the locus for the Davis Cup. The main thing, however, is that there is to-day a new Committee of Management, and there is very little doubt: that Chrislchurch will be chosen, not because it is where Wilding lives, but because it is tho best place, and will give the best gate. Not Defeated. The present writer has spoken lo two delegates who were present at a memorablo meeting,'and knows it to bo a fact that the coipmitfee of eight were not. defeated. As a matter of tact, they would

not offer themselves for re-election, although closely pressed to do ,so at the meeting above-mentioned, being heartily disgusted with the way in which their oll'orts had l>eeii received. They may even bo said to hnve resigned before th< annual meeting. It is plain that someone lias got' to the oar of "Austral," and very plain that lie has been mftinformed. There is at present in Australia a gentleman who was present at. that meeting. ] refer to Mr. F. M. D. Fisher, who will, 110 doubt, hi able, if asked by "Austral," to throw tome light on the matter.

To claim that Hie committee were defeated is to infer that its action wa,s not approved either by the association or the tennis public. It is quite open to "Austral" to make conic inquiry, and to find out for himself that, when a voto of no-confidence was proposed last year, it was thrown out by a large majority. That committee was composed of repre63irtativo players and enthusiasts, and could not lie replaced, only a scratch committee being prepared to carry on tho association's work. Should tho. ship of tennis affairs be wrecked it will not havo been thrown away by those men, but by the secessionists. The writer has Iwen wont to look to, the "Referee" for accuracy, but in this' case cannot compliment "Austral" on Ma way of employing hearsay. Chosen on Its Merits. Wellington was chosen on its merits. Gosgraphically it is liest situated, which means that it would provide the host gate, and, further, it is tile headquarters of tennis in New Zealand. That this is true will surely bo evident to anyone who knows and understands. In tho first place, tho Wellington Association has tho largest playing membership of the wholo of New Zealand. In the second, it must surely be peon that, barring tho threo southern bodios—Canterbury, Otago, and Southland-every player wiio wished to witness the Davis Cup would havo to spend two moro days in travelling (I© and from) if the match were played ill Christchuroli, and not in Wellington. Would this not alToot tho gate?

If a referendum of all the players in New Zealand were taken ou the question the writer lias no doubt that Wellington would be chosen as the centre in which the final of tho nest Davis Cup match should be played.

Matclics. Sets. Games. 4-5 O tt 0 tC o 'to Khandallnh 2 2 0 S 4 68 55 St. John's .... 2 1 1 ■ 1 5 G5 59 Johusonvillo 2 0 2 3 !) 54 <3