ROUND THE GROUND

Evening Star, Issue 18560, 16 February 1924, Page 11

ROUND THE GROUND

AT CARISBRROK. [By We Two.] No. 11. Standing by the pavilion, doubtless musing over old times, is Adam rjlen. There are few left now _ who remember Adam in action for Albion and Otago, but he was a fine bowler, and his representative record stands at 18 wickets for 17.6 each (including three for 16 against the first Australian Eleven in ! 78)._ It is over half a oentury ago (in 1872)_ since he first represented Otago, and his interest ui tho grand old game is as keen as ever.. He accompanied the veterans to Christchurch last Christmas, but left the playing to the “Youngsters” of sixty or so. Next we meet Billy Parker, one of the best Handlers Otago ever produced, and one of those rareties —a good skipper. He cantainod Grange for many years, and led the Otago team on several occasions. Ho once took eight wickets for 15 against Southland (this was in 1893), and in all ho accounted for 61 rep. batsmen for 700 nms. Billy could bat at times, too; one of his blest innings being his 54 not out against Canterbury in 1885. _ This was really tho means of Otago minmng the match by two wickets. . And talking of bowlers, here a Arthur Fisher singing the praises of our presontseason batsmen. What a great left-hander Arthur was, to be sure; and a rattling good bat. too. Ho mentions the New South Wales team, and wo mention his great performance against the Cornstalks in 1895-96, when he took six for S 3 rad throe for 42. Ho performed weß m the test match that season also, playing a fine innings of 52 not out. Fred Peake hero watching tho gamo, thougli ho has long ago given it up for bowls. Fred played cricket in Victoria, and was also nn exponent of the Victorian gam© ot football ~ Next a greeting from W. Thomson, tho porralar president of the Dunedin Bowling Cliih, and an admirer of all clean sport. Alex. Steel, last year’s president of the 0.8. C., is also having a look at the <jame. It’s a [fine thing to know that men prominent in ono sport can appreciate the fine points of another. _ Another prominent business and public man in J. London has been attracted to the ground bv the good showing of our boys. 'C. W. Rattray, one of Otago s good skipper" of the past, greets us. Fourteen times did C.W. represent the province, and he did a lot for cricket in those days. He is now a keen golfer. Jack Beaker oo7vk?s up to us with tho inevitable funny story. Jade la widely known as a singer of comic songs and a teller of unny yarns. But he used to play a good game of cricket when he was younger, being a fast bowler first in South Otago and then for the Privateers (Dunedin). Jack lias a son who has gone in for athletics with a good deal of success. The mention of Privateers brings to mind Dan Claffey, whose life’s innings dosed a few days ago. Dan was a good cricketer, and was a member of the Privateers and the Dunedin Clubs. "Wo have nn idea that he also played for the old Wanderers, Dan represented Otago _on two occasions, but did not do anything remarkable. It was as a footballer that he was beat known, being Kaikorai’s fullback for many seasons and representing Otago against" Canterbury and Southland in 1890. He was a great kick, and we recall one mighty punt of Ms on the Dale, which larded the ball on the top •of the grand stand amongst the spectators who were seated there in those days. Oldtimers will lenm with_ regret of Dans death after a lingering illness. Len, Gassy, the tell Dunedin fast bowler, is looking oh. ’Tis a pity Lends leg keeps him out of rep. cricket; hurt he tells us that it won’t staind the Strain of a three days’ match. Tho long fellow is one of our keen cricketers, ana deserves all the success ithalt has come Ms way. It is good to sen the ladies taking a.n Interest in cricket. Ptune folk hint thait If you mention “ducks” and “halt tricks” to the fair sex their minds fly to millinery. This is not tho case with all. Amongst those really interested in the game arc the two Misses Raittray, who stick to Uieir position in the grand stand from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Other Indies there nno in the pavilion dispensing tea, amongst them the presidents wife, Mrs Alex. 'Martin. Mrs -Martin has always come forward to help, aqd her presence will be missed whan she leaves to join her husband in Wellington. Alex, himself will bo very much missed; lie could always Ibe located by that joyous laugh Of Ms, and, once Mooted, one could bask in his gonial presence. No more optimistic supporter could 'ho found, and his “Oh. well, never mind 1 ; our chaps did well,” always reconciled one to defeat. Wo feci sure his spirit at amynato js amongst tho little bunch of stalwarts in the pavilion during ‘the New South Wales match.

Crosby Morris Is another who always sees some good in our side (too many are over-anxious (to condemn in this liitllo community of ours), and when Otago was battling so valiantly against Wellington his smile was a lhaippy one indeed. The high price of wool is forgotten for the moment, and his desires are for high scores for Otago batsmen. A much-respected president of the 0.0. A. -was he, and, though ho was never a prominent flayer at that game, he as -a member of ihe Pirates Club represented Otago at football. We shake hands with George Macdonald, Who has been associated with, sport and volunteering nil this long life. Coming from Australia, ho played cricket, with Opoho, being a round-ana Ibowßor with a bit of pace. George served a, long time on the O.R.F.U. Committee, and was once president. Near by are three more prominent Rugby officials in (Harry Harris, Donald Stuart, and Vic. Camniagh, Hurry Harris claims a quarter of a century's connection with the Rugby Union, in eleven years of which ho was president. He’s atu old Union Cil/uib man and a rep. Cricket, rowing, and howls claimed him in turn during summer seasons, and he’s now one of St. Hilda’s star bowlers. Donald Stuart is telling a funny story, and ob wo greet him ho is wearing a Stuart tartan smile. Donald by bad book just missed a place in tho famous AH Black team which showed up the BnjgiHah teams on their own ground,, and deprived Sootkiud of a wbeen Ihfuwbces. In the match Old Boys v. Present Boys of tho High School recently Donald wielded Hie willow to some effect. But bo plays yo ancient game of bowls now, and shines in tournaments. “Dick” Gawnagb, “daddy of the Southern,” (has teen a fixture on thq Rugby Union for over twenty years, rising to president. His after- dinner-—and after anything else—speeches are gems. His cricketing was done for tho Dunedin Club, and be afterwards took to' umpiring. Now he has taken to bowls. While a member of the Caver-sham Fire Brigade Vic. was nearly docapi tailed by a clothes lino while dashing across his back yard in response to a night call. When ho oamo to it was to Loam tllialt inis brigade had made a brilliant “save” without Bite help.

Dr Fitzgerald Is hero, and delighted at Otago’s form. The doctor was very disappointed alt being prevented from playing in tftio recent Veterans’ match.

“ People Trill get 31 flit inconvenient times,’’ he said. To mark his appreciation' of Otago’s great effort! against Wellington, he sent along a donation to the association, accompanied by the following adaptation of a famous poem, t “Oh, ’t/was fine to see; oh, ’twos great to do; and in the years to come well tell how the hoys came through.” Arthur Phape is sitting in the stand, and wo ask him what he thinks of this latest “ Otagoism.” He says the batting Is as smooth andi beautiful ns the latest Ohanism. We pass on to avoid argumenit on the suhjeot. Doug. _ Brewer is near by. Wo don’t remember iiim playing cricket, hut, he wos a prominent member of the Otago Rowing Club for many years, and president of the Rowing Association. We greet H. R. Law and B. R. Stock, and, judging by the keenness displayed! by them in the on the sward, one would imagine certain insurance companies had nsks in connection with the game. Ned Hamel says “Hello!” Ned is 'president of the Umpires’ Association this year, and is always ready to help along cricket. Brother Jack is also studying the game, and perhaps discussing with his friend Bob Wardrop the posftiona of the field in relation to “ pins ” in a game otf “Chinaman," of which they are 'both expert players at the O.T. Club. Bob was a heady bowler in his cricketing days, and always ready to spring a trap on yon. We next have a chat with Bill Strong, a prominent Pirate in his younger days. -Bill was a hustling forward who represented Otago on many occasions. He was also an enthusiastio Volunteer, and holds the rank of colonel. As an O.R.F.U. Ground Committeeman ho is pleased with the praises bestowed upon wicket and turf by the visitors. Jimmy Croxford is looking on. One of our best wicket-keepers was Jim, even when “Aunt ,’Saiues” were much more numerous and much better than they are at present. _ A useful bat, too, as witness the occasion in 1891 when he and Jim Baker won tho match against Canterbury. Otago wanted 26 to win, and the pair got them amidst the wridest excitement, and were carried off shoulder high. “Croxy” played with Albion, and afterwards, with Dunedin. Among the ‘‘keepers’’ in tho 90's were A. S. Rains, Bill Hayrion, Frank Williams, Jim Croxford/ Harry Lear, and Torn Austin—any one of these would be welcome at present. In chatting with the Wellington players we ask about Alf. Clark, and they tell us ho is still living in the Empire City, though long ago dropped out of cricket, Alf was one of the most stylish bats that over played in Now Zealand. His lato cut and off drive were perfect. His 41 and 64 against Canterbury in 1893 was a fine double in all the circumstances. We see Guss Hamann, and greet "him with a hearty shake. Gus is a heavy-weight now, but was a tall, lithe youth when he played for tiro Wellington Club. Ha lives “ down south ” now, but has never lost tho cricket microbe. Over yonder is Tom Downes, a good fastish bowler for Grange when pace hadn't developed to such an extent as it has since. Tom's great achievement was his taking ten wickets for 20 against tho New Zealand team in 1898. Charlie Payne is here, too, and the old Mornington tvundler is looking ns young as ever. Wo recollect onr-tfay Charles was “sneaking” runs as usual, and Dunedin’s mid-on (“Zander” Maclean) became annoyed, so when Charlie capered around next time, covering his stumps with his body in approved style, Zander let fly at his fifth rib. “ I think that’ll settle that little game,” said the lengthy Zander—-and it did. Brother Bill Maclean is not at tho match, being still located in Christchurch ; but all we old Dunedinites remember him with kindly feelings. Over-anxiety to do well for his club was his only fault, and this spoiled his hatting. He was a most useful lefthand bowler. “Zander” was a hitter, and tho first member of the D.C.C. to register a century. Another record is that which Frank Blakely put up .(Frank is hero, of course). Playing against a Carishrook team, he hit a ball, and before it was returned, they (Scobie M'Kenzio was his partner) had run 13 for it. Hughio Stalker (who joined tho Great Majority a few years ago) was skipper of the Dunedin team on this occasion, and a good skipper and a fine wicket-keeper he was. Talking with Stan Brice, tho Wellington veteran, he asks about Harry Guntliorpe. Aleo Downes is by, and says "Do you remember ‘ Gunny ’ trying to play Jones when the Australians were, hero in 1896?” We do. Facing the “Adelaide express,” Harry lilted his bat in Iris accustomed style when the howler began his run, but before he got it down again tho ball had passed through his stumps, and gone smack up against the fence. It was in this match that Arthur Fisher put up such a fine bowling performance (six for 39 and five for 39) that the Aussies won by only 17 runs, and Fisher was invited to go to Melbourne with a view to being selected for the Australian XL Harold Low—popularly known as "Took," and a brother of Otago’s erstwhile champion sprinter —is also present. Jock was ono of the original members, and the first treasurer of the Dunedin Club, and he and George Simeon were the first life members. He was also related to the lato T. S. Graham, for many years tho popular president of the D.C.C. Talking of the Dunedin Club, we recall the flourishing days of long ago, and regret that it is now having a bit of a struggle for its existence. However, there are many old members w’ho would doubtless come to its aid if they but knew, just as the Carisbrook supporters have rallied round and pushed that club right to tho top again. Mention of the Dunedin would not be complete without a reference to “ Old Bill Skitch,” one the hardest workers it ever had. Stories about Bill are many and varied. There is one connected with tho memorable match Otago v. Melbourne, in which Warwick Armstrong got a point on to Gillie Wilson, arid deprived our boys of a well-deserved win. “Skitchy ” umpired in that match, and in tho course of it Hughie Trumblo bowled a ball which just grazed tho leg slump, and the bail, after a sort of shudder, dropped off. Wicket-keeper Ross appealed, and Bill Skitch said “Not out.” Later Ross asked Skitchy about the jlecision, and he replied: " Tho hall did not hit the stump, hut went so close that the concussion knocked the bail off.” The Aussies reckon that umpire had an eagle eye. Nevertheless, Bill was a good umpire, and officiated in many important matches. When tho Otago team were north this season “Skitchy'’ paid them much attention, Tho boys say he looked as fit and well as ho did years ago. Ho plays bowts, and is, of course, an enthusiast.

When there is a good game of cricket at Carisbrook you can be sure to see the Rev. Russell taking a keen interest in the proceedings, and wo notice him sitting there jotting down the runs on the scoring card. It is mentioned to us that it would be nice to see an up-to-date scoring board at Carisbrook. Gillie Wilson whispers that wo might have one shortly, as in a chat with a supporter tho latter indicated that one might possibly be presented to tho association. This is good news, as it would be a great help to the public. Ted Webster is here. Ho was an enthusiastic cricketer at the High School years ago, and also captained tho school fifteen at football. He has never lost his interest in the boys or in sport. (To ho continued.)