FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY

Evening Star, Issue 20317, 28 October 1929, Page 7

FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY

GRANGE CRICKET CLUB'S JUBILEE highly successful reunion Just fifty years ago the Grange Cricket Club was formed from a club known as tho Combinations, and on Saturday night was commenced the jubileo celebrations of a club that has throughout its existence taken a toremost part in Otago cricket, and which has produced many famous players. The opening function took_ the form of a highly successful reunion in the Embassy Salon, the president of the dub (Mr W. M. Beal) presiding over a largo gathering of past and present members, which included many of the earliest members of the club. A lengthy toast list was honoured, and a fine musical programme presented. Some interesting particulars of the club’s history were supplied by the secretary (Mr W. A. Rowland), which showed that the team used to meet in the Grange Hotel, corner of Hanover and Leith streets. Some of tho original members were:—Laurie, Pritchford, Myers, Findlay, Booth, Darling (2), Dowdle, Jepson. The first match on record played by tho Grange was against Cumberland on the Oval. Grange won by 20 runs. Laurie 16, Findlay 12. Andy Grieve was the first member of the Grange to represent Otago. He scored 36 _in the first match, Otago v. Australia. Some players in 1883: Harraway, Dowdle, Murray, Leask, Turnbull (2), Grieve, Espie (2), Coxhead, Walker, Kroon, M'Farlane, Muir, Laurie. Some players in 1884: Murray, Turnbull (3). Espie (2), Grieve, Dowdle, Carson, Harraway, Walker, Haydon, Stokes (2), Hutchison, M'Farlane. In 1895 Baker, Johnston, and Downes represented Otago v. New South Wales. In 1896 Downes represented New Zealand v. New South Wales. Baker also represented New Zealand. Grange members who have represented Otago: A. Turnbull, P. Turnbull, A. Grieve, W. Johnston, W. Parker, H. Harraway, C. Frith, H. Fish, C. Fergusson, T. Downes, A. Downes, E. Currie, E. Brown, W. Best, C. E. Beal, W. M. Beal, A. Dawes, W. Haydon, W. Carson, A. Restieaux, J. Kenny, J. Baker, Ji Graham, W. Henderson, A. M‘Beth, R. Bell, A. W. Alloo, H. C. Alloc. R. Cherry. A. Keast, A. Eckhokl, B. Eckhoff, P. M'Gregor, J M'Mullan, A. Galland, S. Elmes, A. Knight, C. S. Chadwick, A. Boyd. The Grange Club has won the Senior Shield in the following seasons;—lßßß- - 1889-90. 1890-91, 1892-93, 1895-96, 1907-03, 1911-12. 1912-13, 1913-14, 1919-20, 1922-23, 1923-24, 1924-25. The following gentlemen_ have been president of tho club since 1890: —R. G. Stone, 1890-92; W. Elder, 1892-96; A. C. Hanlon, 1896-1913; C. Brnndell, 1913-16; W. Best, 1916-17; C. H. Wilson, 1917-22; A. Restieaux, 1922-24; O, E. Briggs, 1924-25; W. M. Beal, 1925-30, the following have acted as hon. secretary since 1889;—F. Currie, 1389-91; W. Findlay, 1891-92 : W. Haydon, 1892-93; A. Restieaux, 1894-98; J. Downes, 1898-1903; H.' G. Robinson, 1903-04 > C. S. Chadwick, 1904-05; G. Crosbie, 1905-06; C. Fergusson, 190607; C. S. Chadwick, 1907-08; G. E. Wright, 1908-09; C. S. Chadwick, 190910; A. Restieaux, 1910-12; V. Courtis. 1912-13: R. Bell. 1913-14; W. A. Rowland,, 1914-30. The following are life members of the club :—W. Parker, W. Johnston, A. Dawes, W. Carson, W. Findlay, W. Best. A. Downes, A. Restieaux, G. A. Nelson, H. R. Wright. G. Crosbie, W. A. Rowland, C. S. Chadwick.

The Chairman congratulated the very old members in turning out in such large numbers, and also the present members. He extended a very hearty welcome to Mr Andy Grieve and Mr W. Dowdle, whom, he believed, were the two oldest members alive to-day, with the exception of Mr Laurie, who nnfortnnatelv was unable to be present that evening. CRICKET ASSOCIATION. “The Otago Cricket was proposed by the mayor (Mr R. S. Black) and after referring to his associations with the game in the early days he said that the Otago Cricket Association w.as formed in 1876, Mr J. 0. Eva being chiefly responsible for the association’s formation. Ho was the first president, others who filled the presidency being J S. Webb. J. P. Maitland" M. Cohen, J. P Spring, Dr Coughtrey, James Wilson, James Smith, A. C. Hanlon. C. W. Rattray, C. R. Smith, J. J. Clark, J. Hope, C. Morris, A. Martin, L. J. Joel, C. Todd, and G. A. Wycherley. Secretaries of the association had been H. Rose. F. Fulton, J. C. W. Morrison, W. Shelton, F. Horne, W. J. Moore, J. Smyth. A. M'Donald, W. Maclean. F. C. Biggins, C. R. Smith. D. Thomson, and E, S. Wilson. Before the association was established a' great deal had been done for cricket by the Dunedin Cricket Club, which had spent over £6,000 on the Oval prior to 18S0. Since then the ground had been filled in with tin cans and gallon tanks, but to-day the Oval was a. ground to be proud of, and for this credit was duo to Mr D. Tannock, superintendent of reserves. The Dunedin, Carisbrook, and Albion were the first three clubs affiliated to the association, the Lawrence Club affiliating in 1878. Finance had always been one of tho associations difficulties, but it was wonderful how in the early days the visits of English and Australian teams were financed, and Otago sent teams on tour as far hack as 1864, while an English team played in Dunedin in 1864, so evidently the players of that date were willing to put their hands in their _ pockets. Otago’s first match was against Southland, and the score of 222 in that match stood as Otago’s highest score for thirty years. Until very recently Otago was handicapped for the want of grounds, but with Logan Park and the Oval cricketers should have sufficient areas for some time to come. In Carisbrook they had the finest cricket ground in the dominion Otago had produced many famous cricketers, amongst whom the best in the early period were E. T. Collinson, Paramour, T. H. Cooke, H. M‘Neill, T. L.. Austin, W. J. Crawshaw, A. Cargill, W. E. Downes, J. M. Harris, J. Spring, J. M'Farlane, C. and W. Frith, F. Harper, W, Henley, J. Hope, C. C. Kettle, W. Morrison. W. Parker, C. W. Rattray, and W. D, Murison. Later came Alex Dones, Arthur Fisher, Jim Baker, Bill Johnston, Jack Hope, H. Boddington, A. G. Raines, Alf Clarke, F. Clayton, G. Austin, H. G. Siedeherg, J. Coxford, C. Broad, J. Burt, E. Currie, A. J. Raines, A. Eckhold, B. Eckhoff, A. Geddes, H Graham. C. E. Howder. A. Kinvig, J. C. Lawton, F. C. Licrgins, R. D. Spraggon, W. W-'bh. R. Wilkie, G. Cummirms, and F. Wi'b'nms. Following them came C. G. Wilson. W. Maokersev, J. Shenhend, T. M'Fr”lane, A. W. \lloo R. C. Torrance. R Worker. J, M'MnTnn, Gnllard, G. Dickinson, Condliffe, R. Chernis, C. Chadwick, W. Douglas. A. Knight. R Cherry, R C. Blunt, and T Carlton. In Arthur Fisher and Alex Downes Otago had probably the .best pair of bowlers seen in New Zealand.

Mr G. A. Wycherley, president of tho Otago Cricket Association, replied to the toast, expressing pleasure at seeing the old-timers present in force. The present-day cricketers owed a great deal to them, for they had been worthy pioneers in big cricket, and had made history which was still familiar to the cricketing community of the dominion. Unfortunately, when the Cricket Association was spoken of, finance was always a prominent subject. It had been a very big hurdle during his twenty-one years’ connection with the association, but they had weathered the storm before and would do so again, though the association was at present in a bad way financially. He expressed the opinion that they were in ior a gpocl season, referring to tho opportunity of boosting the game that would be afforded by the visit of the' English team. Ho congratulated the Grange Club on tho attainment of its fiftieth birthday, but though it was fifty years old it showed no signs of stiffening joints or loss of keenness. His impression always had been that the Grange Club was one of the most virile be had ever come into contact with. Mr W. Mackersy also responded, adding his congratulations on the club’s attainment of its jubilee. Ho urged the young players to play not only for their own interests, but for the good of the game, and for the building up of Otago cricket. “ GRANGE CLUB.” “ Grange Cricket Club ” was proposed by Mr A. Martin, who congratulated the chib not only on attaining fifty years of life, but also for what it had done for cricket in Otago during those fifty years. When he came to Dunedin Jim Baker and Bill Johnston were great men in Otago cricket, being the province’s opening batsmen; and the best of Otago’s bowlers were that wonderful pair, Arthur Fishe l- and Alex. Downes. He congratulated Downes. Johnston, and Baker, as members of the Grange Club, on the success they had achieved in the game; and after them came other notable players, including Galland, Knight, and M'Mullan, who were still playing. The last named he considered an ideal man to lead Otago. During the fifty years’ existence of the Grange Club its members had played the game of cricket, on and off. the field. Members of the club had taken their part in the work of the association, and the club bad cause to be proud of its great record. Season after season Grange had won the championship, and although the winning of championships was not the only object in the game it behoved each cricketer to aspire to a place in his club’s first eleven, and ultimately to strive for representative honours. Season after season Grange had had a good representation in the provincial team, and he trusted the club would continue to prosper during the next fifty years. ‘‘The attainment of its jubilee is a splendid record for any sporting body,” said Mr Beal, in replying to the toast. It went to show the grit, determination, and fine sporting spirit of the men who had established the club. Old members would recall the earlier financial difficulties, for more than once they had had to put their hands into their pockets to pay for material with which to play. Nevertheless, these difficulties had been got over, and the good efforts of the Grange pioneers were now bearing fruit. There was a fine lot of young players coming on, and with proper tuition Grange should soon have a very fine team. The club had produced some of the foremost players in Otago, A. Grieve being the first to represent the province. Fifteen or sixteen years from the inception of the club it had three representatives in the provincial team against New South Wales—Downes, Baker,- and Johnston —and a year later it had a New Zealand representative in Alex. Downes, which was a very high honour in those days. Other fine players followed, and among present-day members was M'Mullan, who, he thought, was one of tho finest cricketers in New Zealand. Grange had been very consistent shield winners, achieving premiership honours on thirteen occasions. It had also won the fielding cup several times, which went to show that the club had the combination of fielding, batting, and bowling. The Grange players did not learn their cricket on the best of grounds. They used to nlay on what was now the site of Greig’s factory, and a few years later they played matches on the North Ground, which was no billiard table. Ho thought, however, there would be a fine ground there in the near future. The club was controlled by a fine lot of young play ers, at the head of whom was the secretary (Mr W. A. Rowland). In Mr Rowland Grange had one of the finest cricket secretaries in New Zealand, his record as secretary beiup- a matter of sixteen years. Another very good secretary had been Mr Gns Restieaux, who had act'd for six years. Present-day teams had very bright prospects, and each week the club now fielded six teams, among which were many playo’T of promise. “Absent Members” was proposed by Mr A. Restieaux, who said that among them he had to specially mention Percy Turnbull, who was at ono time the champion bowler on the North Ground. Billy Parker, their old captain, could not be present. It was astonishing how many ,of these old-timers could relate incidents concerning matches that had taken place thirty years ago. There were other old members who would have liked to ho present, among them being Billy Findlay, (who was secretary of tho Grange Club for many years, and was one of the best). “OLD-TIMERS.”

“ Club Old-timers” was in the bands of Mr 0. Stevens, who said that some of the old players were still actively associated with the club. Mr Gus Restieaux attended all the meetings and was still umpiring. The old timers included two great New Zealand players in Alex. Downes and Jim Baker, and another old-timer who was still an active cricketer was Charles Chadwick, who seemed to get younger dav by day. The old players had left Grange a ‘heritage which the present players would do their best to carry on. (Applause.) Mr Alex. Downes said that he had joined the Grange in 1886, and had played with the club until 1916. Only those who were playing at the time knew what had to be done by members of the club in order to play at tho North Ground at all. _ They played on a matting ■wicket, which the members used to roll with bars of iron. They had got together and built a pavilion, and it was also tho efforts of members themselves that had resulted in a turf wicket being laid down. He recounted a match that had taken place against Oamaru in 1886. Oamaru made 44, and as there were such players as W. Carson and A. Grieve in the Granre side it was thought that it would not be difficult to pass that total. Billy Parker, tho Grange captain, told Hewitt, the Oamaru captain, at lunch that they would draw stumns as soon as tho runs were knocked off. Grange nrnde 22j Downes being top scorer with 5! Mr Downes also detai'ed the famous incident when he brought about T. W. Reese’s dismissal by a run out in a Canterbury-Otago match before the ball had been bowled, a happening that gave rise to much discussion at tho time. Mr W. Henderson said that ho had seen thirty-two years 5 service with

Grange, and had come after the majority of the notable old-timers, tie assured the young players that cricket now was a paradise to what it was in the old days, especially where the wickets were concerned. When he started playing with the Grange things were on the improve, but at the North Ground the grass was still being cut with a scythe. Prior to his joining Grange he had played with the Hosebud, a club which played on a ground near where the Exhibition was held. This club included the Wilkies and the Moores, and the Carlton, which also played on this ground, had Siedeberg anti Austin, the Crusaders including L. Cameron, another well-known old cricketer. It might be said that many of Grange’s players practically learnt their cricket on the roads. Mr A. Hestieaux said lie was satisfied that it was the keenness ol mam of the old players that had brought them such success, and he instanced the case of Alex. Downes, who us-xl regularly to place a piece of paper on the wicket and bowl at it lor an hour and a-half. That was how he was able to bowl with such length and accuracy. Ho referred to early trials ol strength between Grange and Carisbrook, and said he had always held that if a team could not play cricket on Carisbrook it could not play at all. “ My first recollection of the Grange Club was on the Museum Reserve,” said Mr J. Raker, who referred to the fact that the boys of the neighbourhood used to play there with kerosene tins for wickets, and when the Grange players arrived on the scene these were displaced by proper wickets, so that the men could get in some practice His cricketing career had commenced at the same time as did that of Johnston, Downes, Parker, Restieaux, and Robertson, the last-named being auothei Grange player who had subsequently won New Zealand honours. Grange had always had a good captain in \V Parker, and he did not think a finer captain had ever stepped on to a cricket field in Otago. The greatest worker the Grange Club had had was Mr Restieaux. Mr A. Grieve, the oldest member present, and Mr W. Johnston also responded to the toast. OTHER TOASTS. “ Sister Clubs” was proposed by Mr A. Gal land, and m the course of his reply Mr G. Austin (Carisbrook ) said that tie remembered the match against, a New Zealand Eleven in which J’om Downes liaci taken ton wickets tor Otago, and he also remcmbei d a match uetween Carisbrook and Grange in which Alex. Donnes had nu been ton well and had put himself in last. But Downes made 119! Others who replied were Messrs R. C. Torrance (Dunedin), W. Brinsley, jun. (Old Boysi, Dowling (Christian Brothers), and G. Pickard (Albion). Mr W. Brown replied on behalf of the Otago Rugby Union. Other toasts honoured were: “Umpires’ Association,” proposed by Mr C. S. Chadwick, reply by Mr J. S. Douglas, and ‘ Press and Performers,” proposed by Mr W. A. Rowland. A lino musical and elocutionary programme was given during the evening, items being rendered by the following—Messrs D. Sharp, A. Fogarty, H. Russell, R. Bryant, C. Gibbons, and S. Jeffs. Mr D. Sharp was the accompanist. CHURCH PARADE A church parade was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral last night, a large number of present and past members, as well as representatives of other clubs, attending. The service was of an impressive nature, the sermon being preached by Bishop Richards, who is the patron of the Grange Club. He took as his text 1 Corinthians, xiii., 13; “Quit yourselves like men; be strong.” The preacher stated that St. Paul often used things in everyday life to illustrate his meaning, and-had used the courts of law, the racecourse, and in this case the army. Christians were an army fighting against evil, and to he successful they had to act like men He had once asked a young man what lie thought manliness was, and the re ply was, “ Courage, strength, and abil ity to fight.” But, said the preacher, .these qualities were possessed by game cocks and bulldogs, and there was something more in Ho went on to refer to three qualities ol manliness —singleness of purpose, coinage, and self-control. Ho thought that his remarks were appropriate, in view of the fact that a body of men was presort from the Grange Cricket C’nh, which was at present celebratine .ts inbilee. Sport was a fine thing, and the British were a sporting nation In cricket the qualities he had referred to, as well as unselfishness and many others, were necessary, and they were so important that “ play the game ” had become a common expression applied to everyday life.