LAWN TENNIS OPENS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 183, 24 October 1927, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS OPENS

CITY AND SUBURBAN CLUBS SATURDAY’S RESULTS In dull weather many of the city and suburban hard-court clubs opened the season on Saturday. Varsity Club The serving of the traditional first ball at the University Club was undertaken by Professor J. P. Grossman, the president. In a brief speech, he said that the college had taken a not inglorious part in the University tennis tournament. Sport was an important part of college life. He exhorted players to practise steadily, not only by playing friendly games, but by steadily trying to remedy their own faults. Students ; should do their duty by the college, and ! H the opportunity were given them, i should play for Varsity rather than for ! other clubs. i Half-hour games were played by a j big attendance of members for the rej mainder of the afternoon. Campbell Park Club i The Campbell Park Club held a successful opening at which 200 members were present. The president. Mr. Val Barfoot, welcomed the visitors. He referred to the splendid progress the club had made. Improvements to grounds and pavilion had been supervised by Mr. Skip worth,

to whom the club owed a great debt of gratitude. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. T. K. Sidey, the author of the summer time scheme. Birkenhead and Northcote At the opening of the Birkenhead and Northcote Club on Saturday, the Mayor of Northcote, Mr. A. E. Greenslade, congratulated the club upon the enterprise of its members in converting an erstwhile tidal waste into one of the best and largest tennis grounds in the province. The erection of the commodious pavilion bad been accomplished in addition which showed a happy com) of business acumen and community spirit. The club had been fortunate in having such energetic officials in the past, particularly those holding the post of secretary. In this capacity Mr. R. J. Corbett and Mr. John F. Potter, who succeeded him, with Air.* Johnston as treasurer, had rendered yeoman service, and had set a standard for the present officials to maintain. He assured the club that its work had merited the sympathetic support of the borough council. The president, Air. L. S. Maxwell, said that the club had suffered some losses and some gains in membership. Aliss Mackay served the first ball of the season. Birkenhead Methodist The courts of the Alethodist Tennis Club, Zion Hill, Birkenhead, were opened by the Deputy-Mayor, Mr. A. Hadfield, on Saturday afternoon. There was a large attendance of members, and the day was a most successful and enjoyable one.

SUBURBAN TENNIS

OFFICIAL OPENINGS

PAPATOETOE CLUB The courts of the Papatoetoe Tennis Club presented a decidedly gay appearance on Saturday, on the occasion of the official opening of the grounds for the year. In his usual happy strain Air. P. AI. Waters, president, welcomed the visitors. He mentioned the valuable assistance rendered to the club by Air. H. Bryant, a life member, who was always anxious and willing to do his share of the necessary work. Air. Waters referred to the increased membership of the club and the necessity of soon acquiring more playing areas. He then called on Airs. Waters to play the first ball of the season, then declaring the courts open for the 1927-28 season. Representatives of the executive of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association attended, and Air. Hickson, president, mentioned that eight suburban clubs had expressed their intention of competing in the inter-club competition, and displayed a beautiful trophy, the gift of Mr. A. Kohn, which it is intended should be the prize. The executive party consisted of Air. E. Hickson, president: Air. IT. G. Thompson, vice-president; Air. L. Swann, secretary; Alessrs. E. Tonks, IT. Thompson, jnr., and Alesdames E. Tonks. and L. Swann. Afternoon tea was supplied by the ladies of the club and members of the croquet and bowling clubs were the guests. The cricket club was also entertained.

Over lOt) players competed in the progressive tournament, with which the function opened. The winners wero Airs. Grierson, Papatoetoe, and Air. T. Ross, East Tamaki Clubs. Representatives were present from Alount Albert, Howick, Papakura, Manurewa, Clevedon, East Tamaki, Alangere East. Alangere Central and Otahulni. At a committee meeting of the Papatoetoe Tennis Club, held on Saturday, it was decided that the club enter one team in the C grade Auckland Association competition, and one team in each grade, A and B, in the outer suburban inter-club competitions. Pakuranga Club The courts of the Pakuranga Tennis Club were officially opened for the season on Saturday. The president, Mr. George Bell, called on All's. Jamieson, the wife of a former president, to play the first ball, after which the courts were declared open. • . The playing area was in very good condition, having been renovated, and from present appearances the club can look forward to a very successful season. There was a fair number of visitors present from sister clubs. A progressive tournament was won by Aliss F. Roberts and Air. J. C. Litten.-

Mangere East Club Alangere East Tennis Club was officially opened on Saturday, in the presence of a large number of mem- • bers. , , ! Air. House, president of the club, ; welcomed the visitors. The opening ceremony included the unfurling of the club’s pennant on the new flagpole erected in the sports ground. This ceremony was carried out by Airs, j House. During the afternoon, a visit was ; paid by Air. E. Hickson, president, and .

: Air. L. Swann, secretary,* of the Auck- ; land Lawn Tennis Association. 1 The early part of the afternoon’s play was taken lip with a progressive ! tournament, and after a series of • interesting games Aliss D. Brown, ' Alangere East, and Air. O. Alontgomery. Otahuhu Club. were declared the victors. The members of the bowling and croquet clubs were the guests of the tennis club at afternoon tea. In appreciation of many kindnesses extended to the croquet club, the members presented to the tennis club a beautiful inlaid Indian brass bowl, of Benares ware, to be competed for as the committee shall decide. The only condition laid down by the donors is that the trophy cannot be won outright.