CORONATION TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 132, 1 December 1936, Page 11

CORONATION TOUR

SCHOOL CRICKETERS

INVITATION TO TEAM

There is a possibility of New Zealand being represented in England next year by two cricket teams. The arrangements for one have been completed, this being New Zealand's official representative team going to England in the ordinary course of international cricket tours. It only requires a proposal from overseas to be taken up enthusiastically at this end for a New Zealand boys' cricket team to visit England in Coronation year. A cablegram has been received from Major F. Ney, secretary to the Canadian National Educational Council, asking if a boys' cricket team could be sent to England at Coronation time, and stating that"all arrangements regarding accommodation in England would be looked after there. The request was sent to Mr. F. Mibier, headmaster of the Waitaki Boys' High School, and the matter is now being placed before the principals and staffs of the various secondary schools by Mr.' W. A. Armour, president of the New Zealand Secondary Schools' Association, and Mr. J. N. Millard, honorary secretary of the New Zealand Secondary School Principals' Association. It is understood that the New Zealand boys would play a match with _ a Canadian boys' team which will be in England, as well as with schools' teams in England, and, of course, with Australian and South African boys' teams should they be there. PROPOSAL DISCUSSED. Major Ney is a splendid organiser, with influential backing in both Canada and England. His idea is the fraternisation on the sporting fields at Home of Dominion secondary school teams. Mr. Milner has discussed the matter of the proposed tour with Mr. Arthur Donnelly (of the New Zealand Cricket Council), Mr. Denis Blundell (Cambridge cricket Blue), and Mr. F. W. Gilligan (headmaster of the Wanganui Collegiate School). The New Zealand Cricket Council, it is stated, is not in a position to render any financial assistance. Mr. Blundell considers that an effort should be made to send the team, and Mr. Gilligan is of the opinion that a representative team from New Zealand schools should be able to hold its own with the great English public schools, and considers that the standard of cricket in New Zealand schools is higher than in Canadian schools. "The first thing to do is to see whether a really good side is available," remarked Mr. Denis Blundell when approached by a "Post" representative regarding the proposal. "It would be of no use having twelve batsmen or twelve bowlers. The side must be well balanced, as the standard over there will probably be quite high. The team should be chosen just as if it were for the playing of a match here. I think, too, that the M.C.C. should be communicated with as soon as possible with a view to a match at Lord's. Major Ney will see that the team gets due prominence, but for that prominence to be of the kind we desire the team must be a really good one." It is understood that the amount of fares to and from England would have to be found at this end, and inquiries are being made as to what can be done in this direction. Mr. J. N. Millard. principal of the Hutt Valley Hifih School, is inviting those interested to forward suggestions for the personnel of a selection committee and any particulars of outstanding cricketers in the schools.