Play on the Lawns

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 189, 31 October 1927, Page 11

Play on the Lawns

TENNIS CLUBS OPEN SATURDAY’S CEREMONIES Lawn tennis, with an emphasis on the "lawn," began in Auckland on Saturday, several grass clubs throwing their courts open for play. The weather was fine though a trifle gusty. Most of the play was raw, as might have been expected, and even those players who had been on the hard courts all the winter found grass play very different. Remuera Club At Remuera the president, Mr. R. Angus, extended a welcome to the many visitors. He said the courts had never been in better condition. An extension of the present lease of the grounds had been completed for another 21 years. Last season the club had won the A and B grade competitions, but this year it hoped to win three. Young members were being encouraged, and four promising ones \vould be coached by Mrs. Hodges at the club’s expense. Progressive tennis was played during the afternoon, and trophies were presented to the winners, Mrs. J. Macintosh and L. Manning. Onehunga Club At the opening of the Onehunga Lawn Tennis Club, the president, Mr. M. Robb, said that this was the first occasion for many years on which the opening ceremony had not been performed by Mr. G. L. Taylor. Mr. Robb also paid a tribute to the work of Air. George Fleming and of the grounds committee, to whom the excellence of the courts was due. He especially urged the younger members to make full use of the volley-board, with a view to improving their game. The club intended to enter four teams in the inter-club competitions this season—an A and a B team and two C teams. Airs. Robb then hit the first ball and the courts were officially declared open. Vauxhall Club The Mayor of Devonport, Air. E. Aldridge, officially opened the Vauxhall Tennis Club’s courts under ideal conditions. There were about 100 members present. Airs. Aldridge, the Mayoress, put the first ball over the net. When thanking the AXayo.r and Alayoress for their attendance, the club president. Air. J. R. Turnbull, congratulated the club on possessing six courts this year instead of three, as formerly. Mr. J. Hislop, a member of the Devonport Borough Council, presented Airs. Newman and Air. F. W. Barker with miniatures of the cup, which he gave to the club for competition last season, and which was won by them. A club tournament was commenced during the afternoon.

Takapuna Club A large assemblage of visitors and members attended the opening of the Takapuna Tennis Club held on Saturday afternoon. To these a welcome was given by the president, Mr. Colegrove. He especially welcomed the Mayor and Alayoress of Takapuna, M.r. and Mrs. Williamson, who had joined the club as active members. He expressed the hope that the forthcoming season would be one of the most successful in the history of the club. The splendid part such clubs played in the promotion of the health of the people was commented upon by Air. Williamson in reply. He congratulated members on the splendid order of its courts. During the afternoon the trophies won in the 1926-27 season were presented by the president. The winners were:— Women’s Handicap Doubles: Alesdames Sullivan and Becroft. Alen’s championship singles: R. B. Parker. Aren’s handicap singles: L. Symoncls. Alena Handicap doubles: W. Taylor and L. W. Whittaker. Auckland Club The Auckland Club opened its season on Saturday afternoon and many had their first games after the winter rest. In declaring the season open, the president, Mr. J. C. Findlay, gave advice to new members and mentioned that there was still room in the club for more players. Air. E. Hickson, president of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, and Air. Swan, secretary, were present. Air. Hickson said the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association hoped to make suitable arrangements this season for a professional coach, for which there was undoubtedly a great need in Aucklai.d. Devonport Club At Devonport the president, Mr. T. Macky, in welcoming the record attendance, stated the coming season should prove an outstanding success, as more new members had joined than in any previous year. , The following prizes were presented by the president:—Ladies’ championship singles. Airs. A- F. Burnette; ladies’ handicap doubles, Mrs. A. F. Burnette and Aliss O. Stephenson; ladies’ championship doubles, Mrs. J. Hogan and Mrs. Hay; men’s championship singles, AI. Morrison; men’s championship doubles. M. Morrison and W. Harvey; combined handicap, Mrs. Neville and T. Macky. The ladies’ committee served afternoon tea in the club’s pavilion. St. Patrick’s Club Saturday was a gala day for mefnbers of the St. Patrick's Club. The new courts in Wellington .Street were officially opened by Bishop Cleary. In declaring the season open. Bishop Cleary congratulated the club on its splendid courts, and expressed the hope that they would be the source of considerable recreation and enjoyment to members. Tauranga Club The Tauranga Tennis Club* held its official opening for the season 1927-28 on Saturday in fine weather. There was a very large gathering of members and visitors. The opening ceremony was performed by the president. Air. R. A. Phelan. A tournament was held, and Mr. Renshaw and Airs. J. Johnson beat Mr. FI. P. Butts and Aliss Snodgrass in the finals by G—l. Mrs. Phelan, assisted by a number of lady friends, served a delightful

afternoon tea. The function passed off very successfully, and a very enjoyable afternoon was spent by all. Te Kawa Club The official opening of the Te Kawa Tennis Club took place on Thursday afternoon, there being a large number present. The president. Air. C. G. Hodgson, formally declared the lawns open for play, and in doiijg so, said he hoped the pastime would prove as successful this season as in former years. Airs. Hodgson was called upon to hit the first ball over the net. This was accomplished in good style, and play proceeded throughout the afternoon, some very interesting matches being played. The ladies supplied refreshments during the afternoon. New Club at Taumarunui The recently-formed lawn tennts club in connection with St. John’s Anglican Church, Te Awamutu, has for its officers the following:-—Patron, the Alayor, Air. L. G. Armstrong; president, the Rev. R. 11. Trill; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. E. E. Mizen and H. Focke; secretary, Mr. E. Taylor; treasurer, Air. H. Holt; committee. Mrs. R. H. Trill, Misses Irwin and Gifford, and Alessrs. W. Mensforth and H. A. Swarbrick; ground committee, Messrs. 11. Focke, C. A. Finch. H. Holt, PI. A. Swarbriek, E. Taylor and W. H. Davis. Subscriptions were fixed at:—Alen, £1 Is; ladies, 10s 6d; juniors, 7s Od; and children. 2s 6d. All the property of the club will be vested in the vestry. The opening of the courts will take place in the last week in November, the courts requiring a lot of work to put them in order. Papakura Methodist Club The official opening of the Papakura Methodist Tennis Club courts took place on Saturday afternoon. The Rev. W. J. Elliott, minister of the Papakura circuit, in declaring the courts open for play, specially welcomed the visitors who came in such large numbers from the Papakura and Bombay clubs. Air. W. A. Pavitt represented the Papakura Club and Mr. C. Shaw the Bombay Club. Airs. W. J. Elliott served the first ball. A social for the young people was held in the evening. Takanini Club A meeting of the Takanini Tennis Club was held last week, when about 2 5 members and intending members attended. It was decided that the club apply to the school committee for accommodation, pending the procuring of its own grounds. A series of entertainments are under consideration for tiie raising of funds. Otahuhu Club In ideal weather on Saturday, the Otahuhu Tennis Club, held the progressive tournament, which had to be postponed on the opening day. There was a fair sprinkling of visitors present from neighbouring clubs, and some very interesting play eventuated. In the ladies’ section, Aliss C. Ryburn of Otahuhu Club, won with the possible, and in the men’s section play proved very even, no less than three cards being handed in with the possible number of games registered. The winner finally proved to be Mr. O. R. Alontgomery, of the home club, with the least number of games scored against him.