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Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 26, 31 January 1934, Page 14

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WHY HE DID NOT "DECLARE." In the telegraphed message covering the remarks by Mr. E. E. Luttrell, manager of the Canterbury Plunkot Shield team, replying to Auckland criticism in the Christchurch "Star" of Thursday, January 11, it was stated that M. L. Page, the Southern captain, refused to make any remarks upon the subject. The following from the "New Zealand Sportsman" (Wellington), of January 27, will therefore be interesting to Aueklanders, if not actually illuminating:— "Not a Question of Sportsmanship.— L. Page replies to Auckland criticism. — Aucklunders are making a big fuss be-' cause M. L. Page did not close and give Auckland a couple of hours to get 100 odd against Canterbury in the recent Shield game in Auckland. Page told 'Over' that he could not see anything sporting from the Canterbury point of view in virtually giving Auckland an outright win. Auckland had plenty of batting and were able to score quickly, whilst Canterbury had not the sort of bowling to moderate the speed of scoring. If Merritt had been in the Canterbury team, Page would have given a declaration a go. Under the circumstances, common-sense dictated the procedure adopted. Aucklanders have said quite a lot on the matter, but they have not explained why the Auckland bowlers bowled so wide of the stumps before the tea adjournment."

Yet Canterbury people have been told by Auckland officials that the amenities were observed throughout the match, and that the game was played in "a very fine spirit," a term which brought down biting sarcasm in an editorial appearing in the "Press" (January 15), which is an opposition Christchurch newspaper to that in which the criticism originally appeared (much on the same lines of the "•Auckland Star" Sports Edition frontpage article of January 20).

KING'S OLD BOYS V. PIAKO. As one of the fixtures arranged by the Auckland Cricket Association to encourage country cricket, King's Old Boys played the Fiako Cricket Association's representatives at Matamata on Monday, and although rain fell there was some cricket in the afternoon. Scores :— King's Old Hoys.—First innings : Lewis c Annear. b Roberts. S4 ; McMillan, Ibw, b Roberts 15; McCarthy, retired, 49: Pearson, c Eastwood, b Griffiths 2; Jackson, c Annear, b Brooke 34; Caughey, c Hughes, h Eastwood, 92; Thompson, c Gibson, b Eastwood 21; Andrews, st Carroll, b Roberts. 0 ; McArthur, c Gibson, b Roberts, 21; Smith, b Roberts. 0; Morpeth, not out, 0; extras, 10; total 325. Bowling: A. Hughes none for 18, Bartleet none for 53. Kenny none for 36, Roberts five for 102, Griffiths one for 28, Brooks' One for 39, Eastwood two for 42. Piako.—First innings : Beaver, b Lewis, 13; Eastwood, c .Tackson, b McArthur, 2; Carroll, b Andrews. 3; Kenny, b Lewis, 5; Roberts, b Thompson, 6; Annear, c Lewis, I) Pearson, 2; Bartleet, st Smith, b. Pearson, 23; Brooks, not rtut, 29; Gibson, c McCarthy, b Caughey. 0; Griffiths, b Fearson, 0; Hughes, c Thompson, b Pearson, 13 : extras, 5 ; total, 101. Bowling: McArthur one for 7. Andrews one for 7, Lewis two for 5, Thompson one for 15, Pearson four for 28, McMillan none for 14, Caughey one for 11, McCarthy none for 9. Piako. — Second innings: Beaver, b Caughey, 0; Eastwood, b Thompson, 9; Brooks, c Pearson', b Caughey, 0; Bartleet. b Thompson, 34; Carroll, c McMillan, b Thompson. 16; Roberts, b Andrews, 3; Annear, b Thompson, 0 ; Whelan, not out, 21 ; Hughes, c Fearson, b Lewis, 21; extras, 6; total for eight wickets. 110. Bowling: Caughey two for 0, McCarthy none for 2. Morpeth none for 4, Andrews one for 25, Lewis one for 22, McArthur none for 1, Thompson four for 11, Pearson none for 39.