LAWN TENNIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 153, 15 November 1912, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS.

PARK CLUB. The Park Tennis Club was formally opened yesterday afternoon. There was an attendance of over forty members, besides visitors. In the unavoidable absence of the president (Mr. R. Cock), Mr. T. C. List (vice-president) declared the season' open. In doing so, he mentioned that the president had signified his indention of offering a trophy to the value of one guinea, to be competed for as the committee desired, whilst Dr. Leatliam had kindly donated a guinea to the funds of the club. The speaker congratulated the committee on the improvement effected to the grounds since J las't season, and mentioned particularly the services in this respect of the lion, secretary (Mr. Fred Tribe) and the custodian (Mr. Rouse). The grounds were a credit to the club, an improvement to the Park, and a gain to the localitv. Before the work was taken in hand that portion of the Park was cumbered with weeds, blackberry, furze and fern, and was an eyesore to the neighborhood. The committee would like to lay down an asphalt court at the bottom end of the club's grounds for winter, play, but they had as much at present' as. they could manage in maintaining properly the present courts. The executive had guaranteed the club's overdraft at the Bank, and lie hoped members would accord them, every assistance in their' power. One way they could help was in getting new members, and another way was in not neglecting the social side—observing the niceties and courtesies associated vvith the game, not monopolising the courts, attending to strangers—and he hoped, now that New Plymouth was setting out to attract tourists, to see a good many of them visiting the grounds—helping learners, and refraining from anything approaching boisterousness or horsc play in the course of play. By showing such unselfishness and consideration, the success of the club in its most essential feature and the- enjoyment of members in the season he had pleasure in then declaring open, would be assured. Mr. List concluded by offering a trophy to the croquet section for competition. (Applause.) Play was then proceeded with, and a very enjoyable afternoon spent. The enjoyment was not a little enhanced by the capital refreshments provided and dispensed by the ladies. During the afternoon photographs were taken of the courts, with the players thereon. These are to be included in the illustrated literature the New Plymouth Tourist Association is having circulated throughout the Dominion.