OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 99, 23 October 1935, Page 13

OBITUARY

MR. ERNEST E. UPHAM

OUTSTANDING CRICKETER

The old school of cricket in Wellington has lost another of its best-known members by the death of Mr. Ernest F/ | Upham, which occurred this morning. Ernie Upham, as he was affectionately regarded in cricket circles, had a host of admirers when he was serving the game as one of the finest bowlers ever ! produced here, his long arid consistent record of performance accounted for his achieving the rare1 distinction in New. Zealand of completing in senior club and representative, cricket a bag of over 1000 wickets. Not only was he a great medium-fast bowler, but he was also a splendid slip, fieldsman and quite a useful run-getter. As a Wellingtpn, Noj-th Island, and New Zealand representative he played on many fields in New JJsaland, and he also represented New Zealand in Australia. His passing will be deeply regretted by all who knew- him .as-a cricketer and by ■ the many who also regarded him highly in other walks of life. Over 45 years ago he joined the staff of Messrs. Bell, Gully, and Izard (now Messrs. Bell, Gully, Mackenzie, and Evans), and he had been with the firm ever since,- though in. recent months his health had been failing.

!.' It was in the 1892-93 season that the late Mr. Upham first appeared as a Wellington cricket representative, and he continued' as such for close on twenty years, in which time he built up a remarkable record as a bowler. In the first match ever played between Otago and .Wellington (in January, 1893) he took in one innings six wickets for 37 runs, and that was but the forerunner of many similarly outstanding performances in representative cricket. In the 1893-94 season he repreIsented the North Island against New South Wales (J. Davis's second team to visit New Zealand); in 1896-97 he was a New Zealand representative against both the Australian , and Queensland teams to visit this country in that season; 'in 1898-99 he was a member of the first ttew Zealand team to go to Australia; in 1899 he played for a New Zealand, thirteen against an Otago thirteen; and subsequently lie appeared for New Zealand against' the following teams visiting this country:— Melbourne ■ C.C. (1899-1900), Lord Hawke's English team - (1902-03), M. A. Noble's Australian team ■ (1904-05), and E..G. Wynya'rd's English team. (1906-07). In club cricket he was associated mainly with Midland, though he had also played .for North-. •

. The late Mr. Upham, who was born in Auckland 63 years ago, is survived fay. a : widow and two sons (Messrs. Cyril and Frank: Upham, of Wellington). Other relatives include -Miss Winifred Upham (a sister), and MiHarry F. Upham (a brother), both of 'Wellington.