CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 248, 18 October 1924, Page 57 (Supplement)

CRICKET.

Cricket might be mad*' livelier for the spectators if we reverted to the conditions that existed befoTe the institution of boundaries, declares a correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian." When W. G. Grace first played at Lords four was allowed if the ball struck the pavilion railings, but every other hit tlad to be run out. It was not the exhausting effect of this upon the batsmen but an accident to a spectator which led to the framing of the boundary rule. When the ball was hit among the crowd,"as often happened in those days, folk opened out to let it pass, but generally closed up again immediately, and the fieldsmen had great difficulty in getting through them. Once A. N. Hornby, with characteristic energy, scattered the public right and left in his quest for the leather, and an old gentleman was thrown down and hurt. This being brought to the notice of the M.C.C., they instituted the boundary and other clubs speedily followed suit. Commenting on the proposed visit of a West Indies team to New Zealand, the Sydney "Referee" says such a tour would be a most interesting one. The prime mover is H. B. G. Austin, who is well known in England. He has been in correspondence with the New Zealand Cricket Council on the subject, and, if everything goes well, the team will spend 12 or 14 weeks in the Dominion. It is expected that Austin will lead the side, and Harragin will be vice-captain, and that possibly as many as 18 men will make the trip. Reports concerning the project have reached mc from both New Zealand and the West Indies, and although they are far from agreeing on many points—correspondence was in progress between the two colonies at the time—it is certain that the scheme will be taken up with enthusiasm in both centres.

game for a time. With the natural increase of our city each year, new enthusiasts come into the sport, augmented by southern and overseas j boating men, who quickly realise the ! great many natural advantages we are endowed with. Certainly we suffer from several drawbacks which many smaller ports have overcome,, the greatest need being one or more boat harbours, where reasonable protection is assured from the heavy gales which come along about every three years, which have frequently wrought sad havoc not only to our small craft but to our finest yachts also. That the matter of a boat harbour is now receiving the serioue attention of the chairman and members of the Harbour Board we are quite cure, and the fact that citizens of Auckland who choose to take their recreation afloat are entitled to the came consideration as our brother sportsmen ashore receive is now being realised by the powers that be, and we predict a decided improvement in boating conditibns here at no distant date. Of course, each boating centre can hardly expect a boat harbour outside their front door, but one off St. Mary's Bay and another off Parnell will be necessary. At the present time the area inside the eastern wall affords protection to a large number of valuable craft, and if the Harbour authorities would not fill in any more of it this would answer all requirements for Pome years to come in this direction. Several schemes have been put forward from time to time for converting the shallow area off Ponsonby into a boat harbour, and, with several important works now pending , , it does appear that I those who have bo consistently advoI cated the merits of the famous "Area 1A" in this locality will have their reward in a properly laid out and fully protected boat harbour,

The Power Boat Association will schedule about the same fixtures as last year, but seems in a fair way to increase the interest taken in club events. For one thing, each first prize in the cruising races will be augmented by five cases of benzine, two cases going to the second and ODe to the third boat. This is in addition to the usual prizes. It is also proposed to hold a rather novel event for these waters, although quite usual in the United States. This will be a reliability test in the form of a race which may be from off the club house to Omiha Bay via the outside of Waiheke, a distance of some 36 miles. A permanent caretaker has been appointed at the club house who will take up his residence this week. Mr. T. Burgess, ■who is an old North Shore yachtsman, should prove just the right man for this position, and members are to be congratulated on securing his services. One or two lockers are still vacant and it is advisable to make early application for the same. Thanks to the energy of the new Rear Commodore, Mr. H. R, Jenkins, and a band of willing helpers, the exterior of the club house lias been painted during the past few weeks. The fact that the area outside the Power Boat Association's landing and in the near-by boat shed's has silted up to a great extent, as mentioned in these columns three weeks ago, has received the prompt attention of the Harbour Board, and a start will be made next week to dredge the area to give a minimum depth of three feet at low water. Owners of moorings have been notified that these are to be lifted during the carrying out of dredging operations. His Excellency Lord Jellicoe is expected to pay hia farewell visit to Auckland at tie end of this month, when several functions will be held in his honour, including a presentation by the combined yacht clubs of a silver model of the Iron Duke.