LAWN TENNIS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1004, 3 October 1912, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS.

The local Tennis Club’s courts were officially opened yesterday affernoon by His Worship the Mayor (A. J. Gibbs, Esq.) There was a lair attendance of members. The Mayor expressed pleasure at being privileged to officially open the courts. He lelt sure, however, that a much abler man could have been selected, as he was not a tennis player and really knew nothing ot the rudiments or requirements of the game. Further, he knew very littleof the position of the Club except that the secretary had informed him they were commencing the season with a credit balance of something over £7, which was indeed a very satisfactory state of affairs. Further, he understood there was every prospect of last year’s membership of 30 odd being doubled. He expressed the hope that the weather and other conditions during the coming season would be favourable and that a number of outside matches would be played. In inter-club matches he hoped to see Foxtou victorious sometimes. He said sometimes because it the .Club won every time there would be nothing to strive for and it was necessary in all walks of life to strive otherwise we would fall into an indolent state and lag behind. Mr Gibbs said had it been a cricket or football club’s opening he would have felt more at home, but without wishing to “court” the antagonism ot exponents ot other games and thus cause a “racket” he believed that tenuis held the advantage over other pastimes, He had been told that in tennis there were “advantages in” and “advantages out.” One of the advantages ot the game was that it could be played by two and he had been told that some of the most enjoyable games were those in which there was no third person present. He called upon Mrs Stewart to drive the first ball across the nets and then declared the courts open. Alter the opening ceremony a very tasty afternoon tea was served to those present by the lady members of the Club, and much enjoyed, and the courts were tally occupied by players during the rest of the alternoon.

The Mayor has signified his intention of presenting a trophy for competition during the coming season under conditions to be decided upon by the committee, but the conditions to be such that every member will have a chance of winning same.