BADMINTON AT SOUTHSEA

It may interest our readers, especially those who have resided in India, to know that Badminton has been firmly established in Southsea, and has become one of the most popular of all the winter amusements in that bright and fashionable seaside resort. To those unacquainted with the game, it may not be out of place to state that it was originally introduced and played in India about the year 1872, where it very soon became such a favourite as to entirely supersede croquet, which until then had full sway. From the fact of there being very few suitable buildings in which to play the game, Badminton at that time did not take root in England: but it was considered by those who played it in India to be just the game to afford active and healthy exercise and amusement to members of both sexes during the winter months In this country, when out-of-door exercise is so often impossible. Accordingly, in 1888, attempts were made in different parts of England to introduce it as a winter game. At Southsea, in the autumn of 1888 the matter was taken in hand by Major-Gen. Rowland Wallace and Deputy Surgeon-Gen. Byng Giraud. The club which now plays under the title of the United Services Badminton Club was then formed, and with such success that this winter some five clubs have been playing regularly, and others would doubtless have been formed had rooms been found suitable to hold them. The United Services Club hold their meetings in the very fine Pavilion of the South Parade Pier Company, which is admirably adapted for the purpose, affording ample room for two full-sized courts: and on Friday, the 11th inst., they gave a most enjoyable ‘at home’ to some 200 of their friends, on the occasion of a set of matches with the Caledonian Club, Southsea. Six events, as below, were contested, and resulted in the United Services winning four and the Caledonian two. For the winners, Miss Giraud’s play was much admired; her service was very effective; and her ‘butterfly’ returns contributed largely to the success of her side. Major Reid is a very strong and effective player, and received valuable assistance from Col. Ridgeway. For the Caledonians it would be difficult to say which of the three ladies played best where all played so well. Miss Cockburn’s service appeared to puzzle her opponents considerably. Capt. Murray and Capt. Talbot were both in good form, though the latter, owing to having only recently returned from leave, was not in such good practice as he might have been. Results...

We are not aware that a competition at this, or any other cognate game has ever been carried out successfully by gaslight. Ed.

BADMINTON BY GASLIGHT. - Referring to the editor’s note in The Field of March 28 at the end of the notice of Badminton, I beg to say that in Bombay, where this game is played a great deal, it is always carried on by a top gaslight, which, though not as good as daylight, acts fairly well. In Bombay itself the game was never played by daylight, but formed an occupation for the dark Indian evenings, from say 5.30 to 7.30. - AN OLD BOMBAY RESIDENT