SPEECHES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1328, 4 January 1912, Page 6

SPEECHES.

''.-.' \;- - " ~ -LOCALE-OF NEXT CONTEST. WHAT BROOKES SAYS. ' (By TeleEraph-Press Association.) - Christchurch, January .'!.. Thecompeting teams in the Davis Cup were entertained at Coker's Hotel at dinner by.the Lawn Tennis Association to-night. Mr. Wm. Goss (president of tho Canterbury Lawn Tennis .Association) presided. An apology was received for the absence, of his Excellency the Governor, who Had left. Christchurch in response -to an urgeut. call to Wellington on political business. - - A number of- toasts were honoured, these including."The American' Team," "The Australian and New .Zealand Teams," "The Donor of the Cup," and "Liiwn Tennis." Mr. Hicks, secretory'of the Australasian Association, in the course of an interview, safd that (he matches were well contested, but the play did not approach that shown in .Melbourne io 1008. ■ In his opinion, M'Loughlin played easilv (he best (both.in singles and doubles) .for the challengers. Lamed made a serious mistake in not placing M'Loughlin in tho first round of the singles, seeing that he (Larned) was unfit physically for such a strenuous contest as Dayis Cup matches always produce. Ho paid a high tribute to the magnificent performance of (he Australian representatives, especially to . that master of court craft, .Norman Brookes. He addeil that he was in a position to state where the next contest, for the Davis Cup would be played, but ho personally considered that there were onlv two places in Australia or New Zealand where it should bo played—namely, Melbourne or Sydney. As to what nations would challenge for the next contest, he was not at present in a position to prognosticate. Entries would have to reach him not later than the first Monday in March next. South Africa had challenged for the contest just concluded, and he said that lie would not bo astonished if ho received another challenge from the samo quarter for' the next contest. England was also another likely competitor, and he hoped that America would again be n starter. As the representative of the Australasian Association, ho -would like Io publicly n.vpress Ms council's sympathy with Larncd at the uiifnrlunabv circumslance .which -finite precluded' hiiii from showing llw form, fur'which lie is noted, and therefore minimised (he chances of his (cum lilting' the cup.'

BROOKES ON THE PLAY. (Bj TeltcraDh -Press Association.] Christchurch; .human- 3. . Interviewed,'' Mr.' Norman Brookes sii.l: "I think that: tin: piny generally was well lip to tho standard' of Davis Cup contests". Personally, I think I pluvod as well as ever I plnvcil, anil, in tliu* doubles, possibly better, and so -lid Dunlop. I also lliink that .M'l.oughlin played better this time than he' played ■in the previous contest by. n RfKul bit. Larncd. of course, must: have btfii suffering from some trouble, and wo cnulil not judge of his [day. Beals -Wright had not <|itilc .the r-iuno vim as-he (lisplaved in his previous match agaiiir-t mo 'in inns. Still, he was very resourceful; and should certainly be in the next tram. Heath. I think, surpas.-ed expectations. .Personally, 1 I bought he had a very lair rliauee-of lioldinp his own." The court? • "1 think the court . wa.s excellent. But for the terrible weather whichwe have had, it would have been an line a. court as.ever I have played on. "Tho arrangements generally were all that coiild be wished for. The umpiring was excellent—better, I think, than I have had ill aiiv other Davis' Cup match. It would'have been botlor if a tarpaulin had been obtained at least a fortnight ago,.for then the court could hnve been protected at the first, sign of rain. "It is a great credit' to'.America to have sent'Aiich a team, and,- personally, I -am sorry, for their sakes, that they were not successful.' although', naturally, I feel verv delighted that we have won." Mr. Brookes added that, the next Davis Cup contest would be played in _ Melbourne, probably, at the end of, November, if a challenge -was forthcoming.

LARNED .TACITURN. Mr. W. A. Lamed, ea ptnin of the American team, was anything but 'communicative. "I can't tell you anything you don't know," he declared. "If I could I would, but .if I said anything, it, could only be repeating what has already been said and written." What did you think of tho, play generally? suggested the interviewer." ' "Well," replied Mi'. Lamed. : with a shrug, "I have seen better.in Davis Clip contests, nnd-I have.-seen worse." When does your party return?, was the next question. "To-morrow night," he replied. "We are leaving by boat for the north. -So good-bye." The attendance was surprisingly good. The 1500 half-crown seats were almost filled, whilst there was very little fallingoft" in the reserved seats at Ts. Gd.; but tho five shilling stand was only half full. However,-an attendance.'-of. over 3000 on a : noii:holiday speaks well for the interest taken in tennis by the Christchurch public; SYDNEY PRESS COMMENT. TRIUMPH I'OK AUSTRALASIA. B j Telegraph—Press Aeaociatlon-Conrrisht (Rcc. January 3, 10.30 aim.) Sydney, January 3. The, "Herald," after paying a tributo to all the Australian players, says:—"To Brcokcs especial thanks is .-due. Through his skill and close study we' have gained and kept the Davis Cup. He revealed possibilities hithertu unthbught of;- and s.hown;his'countrymen an examnle of what doubles play may be like.' Ho has the rare gifts of brain, hand, and eye, and an • unflagging■ resolution to succeed." , The "Daily Telegraph" says:—"The victory is wholly a triumnh for Australian tennis, since the successful pkyers ail belgng to the Commonwealth. It is only called.Australasian, because Wilding was associated in tho former contests," ' LONDON COMMENT. By Telesraph-PresJ Associafion-Copyrilrlit (Rcc. January 3, 9.50 p.m.) London. Jjiiuiarv n. The '.'Westminster -Gaiotte" states that Brookes's victory might have been anticipated, but it fails to understand Larned's defeat.