TENNIS.

Shannon News, 12 November 1929, Page 4

TENNIS.

Tournament Dates. The following applications for tournament dates have been approved by the New Zealand Lawn Tenuis Association: —

Marlborough championships and handicaps, at Blenheim, December 25th, 20, 27th. North Otago championships and handicaps at Blenheim, December 25, 26, 27.

Southland championships and handicaps, at Invercargill, December 25, 26, 27.

Mid-Canterbury Sub - Association championships and handicaps, at Ashburton, December 26, 27, 28. Auckland championships and handicaps, at Auckland, December 26, 27, 28.

Auckland handicaps, at Auckland DecemDer 28, etc. Canterbury chamjnonships and handicaps, at Christehurch, December 2(3, 27, 28. Poverty. Bay and East Coast championships and handicaps, at Gisborne, December 26, 27, 28, 30. South Canterbury championships and handicaps, at Timaru, January 1,2, 3. Wanganui-North Island championships, at Wanganui, January 1,2, 3, 4. Etiquette of the Game.

Tennis is a game and a great game, but m in everything, there is a right and a wrong way to play it. It has its etiquette which applies equally to all players, good, bad, and indifferent. The majority of players have good tenuis manners, but others either consciously or unconsciously offend by ignoring several small but important details. At this early stage in the season, a recapitulation of some of these points will not be amiss:— Punctuality at the beginning of a rnateh, alacrity in changing over and general briskness of movement all tell in the long run. Then, when returning balls to the server, it is not at all a bald plan to see how straight they can be returned —under the net for preference. Eemember the curses you mutter under ycur breath because your opponent always seems to make you go as far as possible to retrievo a ball which should have conic straight to you.

Check Your Score. Try keeping the score yourself always. There have been occasions when a dispute has arisen towards the end of a game which would never .have arisen had the score been kept by ali players from the first stroke. On 9 does not mean to call the score, but get into the habit of automatieally keeping it_ yourself. Just like bridge one can play tennis to score. Yo'itopponent is serving and the score is 35—40. At this stag.* ■ you are justified in trying a daring shot. If you don't know the score, you may adopt the wrong tactics. Returning a "Fault."

A very bad habit to get into, and in my opinion a most unfair one is that of hitting a first service which is obviously a fault back into play. Doubt less it is good range finding- practice for the next shot, but' is not tennis. It unsteadies the server —he thinks the service is right, chases it and plays it, only to have "fault" ihen called to him with nc word of apology. Then another falls near to where the firsc appeared to have fallen., and he does not worry only to find it returned to him, and he loses the point because he has. got used, to faults Vicing hit at, or to him. He never knows whore he is. Also lie has to check himself in the' delivery of his second service, hecau'sethe offender may have .moved inv.r. from'his position, and may apparently not be ready for the sjcon-d delivery which would be his own fault anyway If a bail is clor,e to the line and then is no umpire there is some justifu atk>'. for hitting it, but in the majority o; cases, such is not the case. If a player touches the net, or does not get up to a short one, and does not hit it on the first bounce, the onus h. on him to announce -that fact immediately. It is obvioii3 after rending the above that most of these little points are dealt with in the correct manner by the majority of tennis playera, who are unselfish, thoughtful players, but there is a minority who d not apparently think about littl >' things The moral of this discourse iof course: "Do as vou would be dcu by." ' .

MAOEI TENNIS CLUB AT OTAKI

A meeting of those interested in the formation of a Maori Lawn Tenni? Club was held in the College elassrom on Tuesday. There was a. large attendance of old and young. It was decided to form a club, and to take the name of Eaukawa as indicative that the Club was an Otaki one. The name Tainui was also suggested, as being the canoe in which the ancestors of the local people arrived at these shores. That name, however, was rejected as it also involves other tribes such as the Waikato people. The following officersMverc elected: — Patron, Sir Maui Pomare; president, Mr. W. H. Wills; vice-presidents, Messrs Heraa To Ao, Kupa Hawea, Pairoroku Rikihana, Are Katcre-tc-ra, Rev. G. K. Mo'ir and Rev. Father Riordan; club captain and secretary, Mr. P. P. Tahiwi; treasurer, Mr. W. H. Wills; committee of management, Messrs E. Morse, H. Tahiwi,'M. John son, Rehua Heperi, Mrs. W. H. Wills and Miss Evans.

The question of auditor, and affiliation to a parent body was held over for the next meeting. 'Subscriptions were fixed at 10s for men and 5s for ladies. All playing members are required to pay their subscriptions by the first Saturday in (December. It was decided to the courts on

Saturday, November 9ih. In addition to the local Maori people- a huge number of visitors have been invited to attend, and a good gathering is anticipated. Twenty men members and eleven lady members have already joined, and it is confidently expected a strong club will eventuate.