THE CANTERBURY TEAM IN VICTORIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5586, 20 January 1879, Page 5

THE CANTERBURY TEAM IN VICTORIA.

The sarcasm of the following letter, which is from a recent number of the Otago Daily Times, is excellent, polished, and severe, especially the last. It is impossible to regret, however, that later news ha> taken most of the point out of it. On the other hano) those who are fond of theword “genteel” will appreciate the exalted spirit of local jealousy which animates the letter. Strangely constituted people may regret that nothing can take this point out of it. The “ good form ” of straining facts to suit generous theories is highly commendable. It will be a constant source of grief for Canterbury people that this writer, who signs himself “ Canterbury,” did not acquire his form in their part of the country:— “ Sir, —It is well known in Canterbury that the crashing defeat of the Australian Eleven last year has never ceased to rankle. It was explained away with much circumstance. The ground, the weather, anything was the cause, rather than the brilliancy of Canterbury cricket. Christchurch said nothing. It was not for her to boast. She quietly awaited their return, in the full assurance that, flushed as they were with their English triumphs, they would he eager to wash out their disgrace —if they could. I need not refer to the thrill of surprise and disappointment that ran through the length and breadth of the land at their dastardly cowardice in not daring to call at Christchurch. But Canterbury declined to be ignored. The action she took was prompt and decisive. With that native modesty that has ever marked her, and with a calm resolve to wear no laurels not honestly her own, she determined to send a team to Melbourne. IVue, not a word was said about playing the Australian Eleven, but it would just happen that the men would be there, and if they were desirous to try conclusions again, why, it would not be for Canterbury to decline. Would you believe it, sir, just as they get there—just as they electrify the cricketing world by the great Ballarat match—the Australian Eleven is disbanded ! Of course it ia merely a coincidence, but its significance will not be lost on the British public, and, in common with all New Zealand, I await with interest the comment of the London Times thereon.

“ It is with pardonable pride that I refer to Canterbury as eaentially genteel. It stamps everything she does. I’m not sure that her wool isn’t of a genteeler quality than anybody olse’s. Of course, in planning the great Victorian campaign she acted on the very genteelest principles. The team were to go strictly as gentlemen. No dirty gate-money was to be touched. Victoria was to be treated to high-class cricket pure and undefiled. The glory of victory and the tumultuous applause of the maddened throng was gain enough for Canterbury. Yet, Sir, such is the malignity of * Melbourne, that nob 20 people attended the second day’s play! Could the force of envy and spite go further? To win the match under such circumstances would have been absurd, and in allowing the local men so easy a victory they treated Melbourne with the contemptuous indifference it deserves. That this accounts for the result of the match is patent to everybody who knows the calibre of the men, and I shall not be at all surprised if they refuse to win a single game in Melbourne, unless indeed they play fiord Harris’ team, an event considered not at all unlikely in well-informed circles in Canterbury. If it does come off, I venture to predict one of the most remarkable games in the annals of cricket.—l am., &c., W “CANTERBURY”