TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 823, 23 February 1903, Page 3

TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS,

The local tennis championship mectin was brought to a close last Saturday i the local Club’s courts. Mrs Watso > succeeded in defeating Miss F. McCredi by 7—5, o—3, and thus won the ladies champion cup outright. Mrs Watsor who is an expert at the game, won with bit in reserve, we would say from watch iue her play, and Miss McCredie, who i: only playing hor second year, deserve: great credit for the way she stuck to he; opponent. With more experience and ir a year or two’s time we quite expect tc see Miss McCredie give Mrs Watson all she can do to retain the title of lady champion. In the final for the men’s championship, Mr Barlow was a good deal too good for Mr Watson. Barlow was in great form, and was making every post a winning-post, finally winning by 6—i, 6—i, 6—i. Watson was outclassed ; but we expected to see him make a better show than he did. Barlow’s play throughout the games has been consistent, and we do not think we have ever seen him play a more even game than he did in the iinal. He practically never made a mistake, and was placing the balls weil and was always on the spot for till the return.-.. His service was very good, and proved pretty well untakeable.

Watson’s play was disappointing, and we have seen him play much better. He was, however, slightly handicapped by having a bad wrist. We congratulate both winners on their victories, and are quite sure that the ■ best players won. At the conclusion of the games, Mr G. Grant, the President of the Club, presented the cups to the winners —Mrs Watson and Mr Barlow. These cups have now been won outright, this year’s winners having won lor three years running.

Thoro was a large attendance of members and their friends during tho afternoon ! and tho courts were looking very gay with tho ladies, who were attired in lovely costumes. The afternoon was perfect, for, though tho sun was warm, tho grounds wero shady and tho cool breeze was refreshing. After tho tournament was over games wero playod on the various courts, tho most interesting of which was a challongo match by Fisher against Barlow, which resulted in an easy win for Barlow by three sots to nil. Barlow, who was taking

things very easy after his tournament game with Watson, won 18 games to tho Doctor’s 5. Aftornoon tea, which was much appreciated, was given by Miss Wallis and Bliss Blason. Tho club wish to thank umpires and linemen for their services. We can only say we did not hear a single comment on any of the decisions.

The anthorities at Koepang, the Dutch settlement in tho Timor Sea, are making a bold effort to capture the north-west pearling trade of Australia.

Great difficult is being experienced in obtaining laborers in tho Eketabuna district just now.

Tho drought in Western British New Guinea has broken up, although tho January rainfall was much below previous records.

_ Denniston is to be lighted up by electricity, the Westport Coal Company being engaged in placing a dynamo in position for tho purpose.

An interesting service, commemorative of the first religious gathering in Australia, 115 years ago, was held on February 1, at Circular Quay, Sydney. The Manawatu Daily Times says : Years ago, when Pahiatua was a bush swamp, somebody operating on behalf of the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, now Prime Minister of England, purchased an estate in the locality. This estate has, under good management, been worked and improved until to-day it is ono of the finest in tho district. Now some politican has got his eye on Naboth’s vineyard, and has communicated with tho boss, and asked him to havo the estato resumed. The boss may or may not be going to make himself and this colony ridiculous, but this is his ambiguous reply : “Ro Balfour estate. Decision has been arrived at ; sent on to owners.—E. J. Seddon.” If the Prime Minister of New Zealand were not going to grab the Prime Minister of England’s holding there would bo no necessity to “ communicato with tho owners.” Tho assumption, therefore, is that Mr Balfour's ewe lamb and its pasture will shortly be appropriated, and another bloated absentee capitalist will bo prevented from “ sending his sovereigns out of the country.” A Grand Assortment of Gent’s Tics in the Latest Styles, direct from the manufacturer. Best value in Gisborne.—C. ROSIE AND GO, C. ROSIE AND CO, for Best Value in Towels, Sheeting, Calico, Lace Curtains, etc,, all direct from the manufacturer.'