A VETERAN UMPIRE

Evening Post, Volume 105, Issue 4, 6 January 1928, Page 8

A VETERAN UMPIRE

ME. BOCK STILL IN HARNESS Mr. W. K. Bock, whose long and outstanding connection with cricket in Wellington has made him one of the best-known umpires in the city, was, during the luncheon adjournment in the Otago-Wellington tnatch to-day, presented with a birthday cake to celebrate his 80th birthday, which occurs to-day. Eulogistic . reference to Mr. Bock's connection with the game was made by Mr. C. J. Wilson and Mr. A. F. Wyren, president and vice-president respectively of the Wellington Cricket Association. Mr. Bock replied in suitable terms. Mr. Bock has every right to be termed a veteran of the game, for he isstill in harness, and to-day was out at the Basin Reserve umpiring-the repre-

sentative match between Wellington and Otago. Mr. Bock came to Wellington from Hobart, Tasmania, 59 years ago, and except for a period of five years immediately following his marriage, has been actively connected with Wellington and Dominion cricket all that time. He first played the game in Tasmania, and since his residence in Wellington has played for the Star, Phoenix, and Britannia, three clubs which are now defunct. For the past twenty-five years Mr. Bock has been actively connected with the Wellington Cricket Umpires' Association, of which he is now chairman.