80 NOT OUT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 84, 7 January 1928, Page 8

80 NOT OUT

VETERAN CRICKET UMPIRE MR. W. R. BOCK'S BIRTHDAY A pleasant function took place in the Basin Reserve pavilion during the luncheon hour in the match between the Otago and Wellington representative teams yesterday. It having become known that Mr. W. R. Bock, one of the umpires in the match, was celebrating his 80th birthday yesterday, the occasion was taken to wish him many happy returns of the day. " - Mr. ■ C. G. Wilson, chairman of the Management Committee of the Wellington Cricket Association, referred to the service Mr. Bock had rendered to cricket over a long period of years as player and umpire, and said it was a remarkable thing that Mr. Bock, at 80 years of age, should be found, alert of brain and keen of eye, officiating as umpire in an interprovincial match. All cricketers wished that he would be spared for many years to come to assist cricket. Mr. A. F. Wiren, vice-president of the Wellington Cricket Association, traced Mr. Bock’s lengthy connection with the game, explaining that he represented Wellington against Wanganui in 1859, when the trip to Wanganui had to be made by water. Mr. Wiren then presented Mr. Bock with a handsome birthday cake which bad been specially made for the occasion. Mr. Bock, in replying, said that though he had in his younger days engaged in other forms of sport, such as rowing'and athletics, cricket had always remained the game of his life, and ,be would continue to serve the ganje he loved as long as he was able. Mr. Bock came to Wellington from Tasmania 59 years ago, and played at different times for Old Star, Phoenix, and Britannia Clubs. During the past quarter of a century he has taken a keen interest in the Wellington Cricket Umpires’ Association, and has held the position of chairman for several years past. A well-known figure on local cricket fields, his courteous nature, genial personality, and enthusiasm for the game make him extremely popular with plajers t officials, and public Olilsfe