OBICEET.

Auckland v. Thames.

This cricket match, played to-day at Parawai, in which the best men of Auckland and Thames were picked to do battle for their respective towns, demonstrated the fact that here very little interest is taken in the grand old English game by the large majority of the public. Volunteering has almost attained a zenith of popularity among the Thames public, and it is a sight on parade days to see the members of the fair sex, gorgeously arrayed, vying with each other who shall attract the notice of their bold defenders as they march in close column along the main sti'eets of the town, iiveryone, young an old, of both sexes and every nationality, take the advantage offered to admire the resplendent uuiforrns of the Scottish Battalion with their glittering buttons and spiked helmets, or of the more unimposing, but certainly more comfortable, dress of the iNaval Brigade. &.t the monthly Church parades, the various churches at which " the military " attend are crowded, and special sermons are preached by the various ecclesiastics in charge. What a different feeling exists as regards the uoble and health-giving g'lice of cricket! The public, ever on the alert for amusement, fail to give any encouragement to the handlers of the willow and the leather, and through the trifling interest taken by them in the game, cause a feeling of disinterest and disgust even in those who are enamoured of the sport. During the past season —for the season is rapidly drawing to a close—so little interest or encouragement has been given the cricketing fraternity that to day's match is the first of the season —if we except the first scratch match played on the opening of the cricket term, some four months ago. On that occasion, it will be remembered, very few took advantage to testify their desire for a continuation of the sport commenced, and what little desire they then evinced gradually decreased, until we very much question if the subject of cricket is ever broached except by the few lovers of the game who are not to be deterred from any want of appreciation on the part of the public, from endulging in this manly pastime. Some few years ago it was the boast of the Thames that we had the best eleven in the J^orth Island, but we are sadly aware of the fact that we are almost worse represented in the cricket field than any community north of Cook's Straits. This downfall from the apex of superiority to the lowest abyss of inferiority may now be traoed to the departure of many men invaluable in the cricket field, but we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that had public feeling manifested itself more in favour of cricket, we should even now be able to boast of, at any rate, a first-class team. It is now too late in the season to commence for this year, but we trust that next season will find plenty to come forward and give their assistance to our endeavor to renovate the energies and raise the standard of excellence obtained at present among Thames cricketers.

The Auckland team, consisting of Messrs Mumford (captain), C. E. MeCormick, A. McCormick, Bowden, F. Porch, N. Porch, Lankham, senr., Lankham, junr., and Curtis, left the former empire city at 6.30 last evening by the p.s. Enterprise, and after a tedious journey of 9| hours, arrived at the wharf at 4 a.m. They at once proceeded to the Empire Hotel, where beds had been provided for them. A start was made for the cricket ground at 10 a.m., most of the Thames team walking out. The local team was as follows :-Messrs Lawless, Steadman, Gray, Harrison, Webber, Weston, Turner, Buttle, Stafford, Spencer, and Smith. The thanks of the local team are due to Mr Stafford, who, at considerable inconvenience to himself, rode from Te Aroha in order to take part in the match on behalf of the Thames Cricket Club. The match did not appear to excite much interest, and only a small number of the public were present. The weather was beautiful for the match, although a high wind wss blowing at the time.

The ground was in very good order, and the recent rain and the exertions of the cricketers in rolling it, made it possible to pitch a good wicket.