LUCKY SCHOOLBOYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 71, 24 March 1928, Page 11

LUCKY SCHOOLBOYS.

VISITED BY REP. CRICKETERS.

GREAT DAY AT GLADSTONE ROAD

An unusual and inspiring incident at the Gladstone Road School, Mount Albert, yesterday, was a visit by four of the New Zealand cricket team, and before the visit was over "events shaped themselves into a great day for the boys of the school. The visitors ware F. T. Badcock, H. M. McGirr and C. S. Dempster, of Wellington, and R. Read, of Christchurch, who had come along at the request of Mr. A. J. ■ Williamson. The last-named is keenly interested in the improvement of the boys' cricket in Auckland, and his request to the Wellington players to come along and have a talk with the boys was instantly and cordially acceded to.

After a chat with the Btaff the visitors stepped out to the school ground, where the children were ranked up round the nets, with the lads of the school eleven in front. McGirr made himself instantly popular with the youngsters by shaking hands all round, and his example was followed by the other three as they were introduced to the assemblage by the headmaster.

Taking their coats off, the New Zealand cricketers went to the nets, Dempster batting to the bowling of- McGirr and Read, while Badcock joined issue by explaining to the boys the technique of the bowling as it was sent down and the batting strokes as played by Dempster. At the same time McGirr also explained to" the boys the grips used for the various bowling effects, illustrating his talk by stating what had been taught him by various international players during the New Zealand team's recent tour of England. Badcock also contributed a general talk to the boys on the ethics of playing for the side and sinking the desire for averages.

The day was a memorable one for the boy cricketers of Gladstone Road School, and they will always have a soft spot in their hearts for the New Zealand representatives who visited them and for Wellington cricket sportsmanship.