LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 57

LAWN TENNIS.

BY RiCQUET. Tl'e following table show= the remarkable strides lawn tennis has made in New Zea- ; and during the pa=t fhe years, under the auspices of the New Zealand Association: —

Since 1907 a number of clubs ha\e affiliated, bringing ,he total number of affiliated members playing tennis in New Zealand to over 6000. Besides the above, there are hundreds of players who do not belong to affiliated clubs, but simply play on private courts. It is evident thar perfect condition, in additioi? to tennis ability, is required to attain success in the New Zealand championships In the meeting at New Plymouth during Christmas, Fisher played 125 games in a day, Swainson 121, Parker 118, Peacock 110, with many others running into high figures, and these were all in champion events. There will be four representatives from Lawrence at the Kaster tournament — viz., iiiss Jeffrey, Messra isorrie, Clarke, and Moore. Corrigan has given up tournament play, and goes in more for the quieter game of bowls.

i The Lawrence Club tournaments are w.ell I nigh complete. Miss Jeffrey plays Miss j Martin in the final of Ladies' 'Singles, ' and has a tremendous handicap to make up, owing 20 and her opponent receiving 15 out of a game of 30 points. In the Gentlemen's Singles R. C Moore (owe 18) plays D. Corrigan (owe 40) in the final, in a g a nie of 50 points. The Otago Club held a. very interesting function on Saturday, which took the form of a combined Yankee tournament with sealed handicaps. The entries were large, and the games wore played in three sections, the sectional winners playing of? for first prize. Some very interesting matches were witnessed. The winners turned up in Jackson and Miss Barron, who beat Preston and Miss Sim in the final by 1 point. Jardine and Miss Mackerras played most consistently throughout the afternoon, likewise did i Monkman and Miss O. Royse. Mrs Bar- | clay, who has not played for over two j yeers, and was then next to Mi9s Campbell the best lady payer in Otago, was partnered by Bauchop, and although she ! felt somewhat strange with the racquet, I showed some glimpses of her old form. Tlie club tournament is progressing steadily, and tber fl is a good deal of speculation as to whe will be the uHimate winners in the handicap events. A very successful moonlight concert was held op the Balmacewen Courts on Friday last. The night was perfect, being entirely free from wind. The moon was at her best, and everything passed off well. The funds of the club will be much benefited by the resulc of the concert. Pearce. of Temuka. will be partnered by h<s friend M'Caskill at the Easter tournament. This is a groat pity, as Pearce with a partner about his own standard should have a big chance in the Championship Doubles. He will take a lot of beating in the single events. From present indications, the coming Easter tournament will eclipse all previous toxirnaments held under the auspices of the Otago Tennis Association. An exchange states that the rule as to foot-f.iults which has been in force for the pas* few years ha-s failed io give the satisfaction which was hoped for when it was adopted ; in fact, it appears to be less of a success than that which ;t; t superseded. It is that part which refers to the running or walking start which has caused most trouble. It is frequently difficult to decide whether the service jn this posture is fair or not. and line umpires usually give the server the benefit of the doubt. When there are no line umpires the server invariably gives him«elf the benefit of the doubt, while many are quite unconscious of breaking the rule. It is the difficulty of discriminating between the permitted lifting of one foot while in the act of 'serving and the lifting the foot so as to get it moving start which has caused most of the trouble. To remedy this, a motion — which has been shelved in the meantime — is on the tapis to enforce the server placing both feet firmly on the ground behind the base line before seriing. This, if passed, will get o\er the difficulty to a large extent.

1902. 1907. Inc se. • o < 3 We]lington Canterbury Dtago Auckland Faranaki iawke's Bay tfarlborougli iVesi. Coast •Celf on « I * I "I ~% 9 ~% a ~% i oSo S 5 S 14 671 29 1578 15 907 8 434 15 1020 7 586 9 402 25 836 16 434 S 534 13 677 5 143 5 185 10 474 5 2-39 4 203 9 401 5 198 2 45 5 300 '.i 255 — — 5 200 5 200 2 70 3 100 1 30 Tota 1 ? 52 2544 111 5586 62 30i2