LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1378, 2 March 1912, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

CBl 'FOOTFADLT.'T

A SHORT-SIGHTED PROPOSAL. April 5, 6, and B.—Wanganui Championship and Handicap Tournament, at Wanganui. What? Only in the Four Big Centres I At the quarterly meeting of the Council of !ho New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, held last Tuesday, a motion was put forward to the effect that New Zealand championships should, as far as possible, ho held only in tho four principal cities. If this should come into effect, then alas, for the country clubs, and those least-considered of people—tho players who constitute the meeting. It is the unanimous opinion of the best players that the country clubs provide the best courts, and that they cater very liberally for the enjoyment and comfort of the participators in the tournaments. As many players make these tournaments their annual holiday, it is natural that they should desire to play where most pleasure is afforded. Are they not, then, entitled to the first consideration? Without them the meeting would prove a failure, and should not perfect courts be of paramount importance? , It would be regrettable, indeed, if such excellent courts as those at Dannevirko, Hastings, Mastcrton, and New Plymouth should bo deprived of the honour of having important issues decided upon them. However, if this resolution should be passed, something should certainly be done in the way of providing better courts and entertainment for .those who enter. Well Done, Bt. John's Ladles I Last Saturday proved a day favourable to good tennis, and most interest centred in the match between St. John s and Brougham Hill teams in the Ladies Pennant Grade, all the senior matches having been completed. Victory went to St. John's, and thus proclaimed them winners of the Pennant. They deserved their win, as they have played consistently all through the season. For the losing team, Miss Pearson played well, winning her single 7—fi, after her opponent had a lead of 4—l. Partnered bv Miss Bowley, she also scored a good win in the doubles. She is n player of some promise, and should bo heard of in the future. Coming to Mere Men. In the men's competition, Oriental and St. John's had a close contest, the rubbers being oven, victory going to the former team by 5 games. In defeating Brougham Hill, Pctono B had not a very strenuous time, as two of tho rubbers went to them bv default. Johnsonvillo wero beaten by Trinity Church, who won by 9 games, the rubbers being even. Opening of New Kelburne Court. For the past three or four months, the courts at Kelburne have been in course of construction, and on Saturday they wero formally declared open by the club president, Mr. A. L. Herdman, M.P. In the course of his remarks, Mr. Herdman pointed out that such a club in a rapidlygrowing suburb, such as Kelburne, had become a necessity, and the circumstances under which ths club had started augured well for its success. ' After some interesting games, afternoon tea was served bv the ladies. The club has already a full membership, and as the courts are in a sheltered position and the appointments are good, members have every opportunity of improving their play and making this new club one much heard of in the tennis arena. Lowor Hutt Club. P. W. Jackson, who is a player with a good style, carried off the Lower Hutt Tennis Club Singles Championship on Saturday last, after two very strenuous matches. He defeated G. W. Callender in the final, tho score being G—4, i—8, G—2. Tho contest was close and very exciting, both players giving a splendid exhibition. The final of the Ladies Handicap Doubles resulted in a win for Misses Hunifrey and Matthews (5), who defeated Mrs. Rose and Miss Callender (owe 10) GO— •IG. As the latter pair only gained one point of the handicap, the performance of the winners was a very creditable one.

Brougham Hill Club. Iu the Men's Championship Singles, under the auspices of the Brougham Hill Club, n mutch which attracted some attention was that between E. Kceves and Hawkins. Although the latter 'player, following his usual sporting style, undoubtedly plavcd somewhat to his youthful opponent." Reeves put up a good fight, and mado a very fair exhibition. The fact that the score was G—t, G—2 goes to show that Beeves is a player worthy of coaching. So America has Challenged, The doubt as to whether America would challenge for the Davis Cup this year has been set at rest by the receipt of the challenge from the United States by the secretary of the Tennis Association at Sydney. The challenge is in accordance with "tlio vote of the National Tennis Association on February 9, which left it to the executive to decide whether a team could be secured. There will probably be some difficulty in this matter, and as neither Lamed nor Beals Wright will be available, it will certainly be a hard matter to put in the field a team formidable enough to wrest the coveted cup from the present holders. England's challenge, is already in, and her team—probablv the best she can send -will consist of A. W. Meyers, C. F. Oxon, A. C. Beamish, and F. G. Lowe. It is to bo hoped that France will also challenge, and, by participating, make the contest one of broader'interest.

Wilding at Monte Carlo. A. F. 'Wilding has just succeeded in securing tho Monto Carlo championship. He hod a clos-e contest with M. Decugis in the first two sets—the score being 9—ll, 7—s—but he evidently carried off tho third set with ease, as the score showed G—l. A pronosal has been made by the New South Wales Council to change tho ball in uso by tho association. This is rather untimely, in view of tho fact that tho Victorian Association has recently adopted the ball now in uso there, and that the Interstate match is to bo played at Sydney at Easter. It would certainly he unwise to try a change and so compel the Victorian team to practise with different balls.