LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1693, 8 March 1913, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

« . [By Footfault.]

LAST WORD BY C. P. DIXON. A Genial Farewell Message. Here is C. 1\ Dixon's farewell message to Australasia ou the evo of tho departure of the British Isles lawn 'tennis team from Fromantic, it is..encouraging and worthy ot the fiuo sport who delivered .."I have been asked to say a few words before bidding farewell to this country, and to, 'tho many friends and good sportsmen we have met. We havo all had a thoroughly enjoyable time since the day wo landed to. the day oi'.our departure, in every place we have visited we have been treated with the utmoyt kindness aiid consideration,, and have received hospitality from all hands. We have thoroughly; appreciated;, all this, and I now take 'the opportunity, oil behalf Of the British Isles teaiu, of thanking everyone who has contributed in any way to making our stay.such,an enjoyable one. As for. tlio country itself, anil I. of course, include New Zealand in tho iterm, it has boeii, n revelation to us. "Now about tho tennis. We have had some great matches, .and the winning of tho. Davis Cup naturally buoyed us up. I think .Australasia has a great future in the game, and I feel confident that she, will take a prominent position, in Davis Cup matches of tho future. A country ichat has produced a Norman Brookes can rear others of the sanio type, and. with tho, game being played at mo.st of the public schools, tho budding youngsters, starting young, will have every opportunity' of developing to the full any talent they may possess for the game. ~ "Another point I would urge is the need foil more of your interstate matches and tournaments. It is a long way, I know, for .players..to. travel from here, say, to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, or New Zealand, for-only perhaps-a week's tennis, but isn't it woi'th it? Tho experience would be. invaluable, and I am sure the present standard of play could hardly fail to bo improved. Well, we have to say good-by?,. though wo lmte to have to say it, fon you have made our stay, so liapny that we should like to prolong it indefinitely, but.wc sincerely hone that we shall soon .see yon all again. We wish you all the liest of luck and happiness. Many thanks for all you have done ior us. Wo shall never forgst the kind friends , ci:id good-hearted sportsmen we have met in Australasia."

Wellington Club Contests. Tho following nre tile results of some of tho tournament games played at tho Wellington Club recently•' lien's Singles Championship—F. Eller defeated B. .Ward, G—3, G' —1; H. Brown defeated Cohuiib, 6—4, 6—4. Men's Doubles Handicap—Eller and Ward (scr.) defeated Kirkcaldio and Columb (15), 70—04; Brown and Pernio (owo 5) defeated Cronibie and I?owe (35). 70— 63; Gr.ant and Boddingtoii (20) defeated Ciradie and Rout (25), 70 62. Ladies' Singles, Championship—Miss Cock defeated Miss Grev, 6—3, 6—3. . Ladies' Doubles Handicap—Miss . Van Staveren and Mrs. Grady (5) defeated Misses Gannaway and Smallbnne (35),. 60 —52; Misses Francis and Kirker beat Miss Batten aiid Evans (35), 60—57; Misses Mtiir nntl Veilch (35) defeated Mrs. Pernio and Miss Cock (owe 5), GO —54. ; Misses Webb and Grey (25) defeated Misses Allninn and Pierard (35), 60—55. Combined Handicap—Miss. Travel's and Brown (owe. 25) defeated Grant and Mrs. Goldie (scr.), 62—60. Tho jfuial in this event will l>e fought out between Miss Hindmarsh rind Cronibie and the winners of the match between Miss Travel's and Brown v. Mrs. Pernio and Ward. The most notable win in the jnen's singles was that of Eller over Ward. Eller has not been in practice of late, but in spite of that he appears to be in exceedingly good form and his win was a tiptop performance. The men's handicap doubles have produced some elo,?e contests: ICirkealdie and Columb nut up a frood fight against Eller and Ward, but the latter combination was too strong. Brown and Pernio "'•oral t/w tough a proposition for Cronibie and Rowe, and wiped off their heavy handicap in good style. Brown took'possession .at the net and had matters mostly his own way. Brougham Hill Championships, The brougham Hill Club championships ar<_\ offering some surprises this season mid tho young players.are coming to the front. Lii'st Saturday L. Butcher, who had previously defeated Corell (a creditable win), met J..A. B. Howe in the third round, and not only scored a victory, but did so in the most decisive fashion, winning: in two straight sets, the score being G—3, 6—o. Butcher, who at times is erratic. , was _on his game and his driving and placing wore something to watch. Certainly, on the day's form, the older plaver was not in it. Butcher is nuw in the final. The. top half of the draw is not far advanced, but hero E. Reeves will have to be reckoned with. and. if some of the older players .do not carefully look to their laurels, the honours will go to one of tlie.se two promising players. The final of the men's doubles will no doubt lie fought out between the Howe Bros, and Messrs. Veen,and Edwards. . In the combined event Miss Davis and J. A. B. Howe, have, by defeating Miss Williams and Hurley, reached the semifinal and will in all probability have to contest tli'o victory with Mrs. W. E. Howe and H. V. Howe. It should be ii close contest and it is difficult to pick the winner. In the ladies' singles Mrs. I. Slovens secured a good win by defeating Mrs. W. E. Howe, 6—3, G—3. She showed veranco and judgment, worthy of a more experienced player. She now meets Miss Davis (the club's champion) and though there should be little doubt as lo the result, tho match ought to be nn interestin<r one. _ ■ The ladies' doubles . championship has been won bv Misses Davis and Archer, who defeated last year's champions. Miss Morgan and Mrs. W. E. Howe, 6—4. 6—3. The former pair were right on ton nf their form and made few mHaltes. They arc ; to be congratulated on their win. A Pleasant Afternoon. ; On Friday February 28, the Wellinglon Club ladies entertained a team from tho Thorndon Club. No trouble was spared on the part of the hostesses to make tho afternoon a success and the visitors voted the gathering an excellent one. A progressive tournament of some eight rounds was played. Tho winners we're; Mrs. Marehbanks, 1; and Miss Brandoll, 2.