PEN PICTURES

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1938, Page 6

PEN PICTURES

(Bv Arthur Mailey). ML BROWN Test cricket and two tours of England have converted Billy Brown from a suburbn lad to a man-about-town. Today the adjectives serene, debouair, and nonchalant may be applied to him. ' The transformation of Brown .did not occur accidentally. After.the air of a fresh existence, . Bill that.it was -so plesant that he muskjbe on the right track., : So the development continued. . < . Just before the selection -of the last team for England, Brown was hot his usual self, and many thought he would miss selection. More Than Bradman ■ ' - - UDuring that period he, laboured tinder; a lot of misaapprehensions. He was new to Queensland cricket, and he found the standard lower than he. was accustomed to. - However, the Australian selectors wisely selected him for England, and he showed his appreciation by scoring more runs in Test matches than his illustrious captain’ Bradman. Whatever headway Bill Brown has made in his outlook on life is. mainly due to keen observation, ' and commonHp is well-balanced, self-p’ossessed, but hot blase. He .is inclined to lie. influenced by,current .happenings, but he is sufficiently, adaptable,, and broad- ' minded to alter his tactxces in batting and outdoor everyday life,... ~ . He has twinkling, squirrel-like qyeSft similar to those. of.“ Derby” Collins, that King of Night ,-Qwls. . \

Which reminds me . thgt is .like Herby. in many ways, less of a Bohemian, of course. A ; .. - * > Herby used to : cry. when he heard good music,' whereas Bill, is-.- inclined to laugh; but, inwall Brown., is a. suburban edition of the colourful and somewhat casual Collins.^

Bill Brown, is graceful dancer.

His interpretation of qthe Lambeth Walk is perfect. He must, have studied it coming to and from,the A-‘Qyal” while Hutton was batting—Lambeth adjoins- kennington -,Oval> A-fastidious dresser, croons a little, and plucks a steel guitar, hut, apart from these -failings, is a likeabi'e and amusing fellow. •- -