The Ensign. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1911. SCHOOL CRICKET.

Mataura Ensign, 1 November 1911, Page 4

The Ensign. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1911. SCHOOL CRICKET.

As long as dispositions differ in men and those smaller editions of their elders, schoolboys, there will be varying) views as to which game is best, though, after all, it is much a question of time and season. It is not always the case that the footballer, even in the juvenile stage, from which, however, the matured player has to emerge, is a disciple of "Willow, the king," while the reverse also applies. Southland has gained well-merited distinction by reason of her footballers' prowess, and there is no reason why her young men should not be equally as prominent in cricket. Locally a very great deal could be done by the Council in the matter of arranging for more extensive and suitable playing spaces for the cricketers as well as other sports bodies, and it is to be hoped that the claims of this deserving section of the community which were overlooked when the town was young will not remain so much longer. The cricket season is at hand despito days which seem loath to add themselves to those drearier ones to which they rightly belong and the players are up and doing. It is, however, more especially our object to direct public attention in connection with cricket to that nursery of players, the public school. It is from the ranks of these boys that the future batsmen and bowlers of the district and province will be drawn, and it is the duty of all lovers of a manly sport which is bound up in the traditions of the nation's pastimes to help it along each in his own way, however small. To this end we have received a suggestion from a gentleman who desires to contribute towards prizes for schoolboy players. His idea is that prizes bo given, say, for the best bowler, field, batsman and wicket-keeper, to be obtained from a fund subscribed by admirers of the game whom it is expected w r ould willingly contribute perhaps 5s or more each. As the scheme is in its genesis, he suggests that it be applied first to the Gore school and if response is made other primary education institutions could come in. No doubt the teachers, who have the well-being of the boys at heart (and this in their play as well as their work) would receive and superintend the administration of the fund, and we commend the idea to the parents and friends of the schoolboys, whose enthusiasm in the mttter will certain If Reed no spur. There are many calls on the generosity of the public, it is recognised; and the one advocated is not the least deserving of the consideration of the cult of the sound mind in a healthy body.