PRINCE OF WALES’ BIRTHDAY.

Marlborough Express, Volume V, Issue 259, 12 November 1870, Page 4

PRINCE OF WALES’ BIRTHDAY.

THE CRICKET MATCH. “ And there were giants in those days.” So wrote the ancient teller of Eastern story, and who shall say that there are no giants in our day 1 Not giants like Chang, but giants in pluck, in skill, in energy and perseverance. If any so dare, let him turn to our columns, and there read of the gigantic achievements of the men of Blenheim. Yes, the men of Blenheim are giants in the power of their will.. They said “ let us have a holidayand we have had one ; no sham, but a really genuine English holiday. The cares of business were told to “ go hang,” and though the previous evening looked somewhat lowering, the lovers of cricket were nothing daunted. By the light of early dawn they were up and active, preparing for the sport of the day. When we arrived in Seymour Square, we were much pleased by the appearance of the ground. The rushes, which a few days since were growing in rank luxuriance, had been mown down, and sundry dark spots showed where the unsightly vegetation had been reduced to ashes. The greensward, thus uncovered, sparkled in emerald freshness beneath 1 the summer sun ; while the seats and tents prepared for the accommodation of the ladies, —God bless ’em—and the booths for the sale of fruit, cakes, &c., gay' with

bunting, recalled bright visions of “ many a rebeek gay,” on the now far distant village green. The band, too, wore in their proper element, the open air, and “ discoursed sweet music ” in spirit-stirring strains. The wickets were pitched, and with all convenient speed the two teams were marshalled, to take the field. The absence of Mr Godfrey Phillips, captain elect of the Twenty-two, caused a slight delay, Mr P. Rush being chosen in his stead. Then came the toss, which the Twentytwo won, and sent the Eleven to the wicket. Considering the almost total want of previous training, the Twentytwo took the field exceedingly well. They were evidently composed of the right stuff, and gave their opponents plenty of employment for their skill and energy. Among the best of their players we noticed Messrs M‘lvor, Woolley, and Marsh, the latter still hale and active in a green old age. We might name several others, did space permit; but then we should have to name them all, to avoid the charge of making undue distinctions. In this innings, Mr W. Robinson, of Spring Creek —one of the Eleven—was very near winning the honor of carrying out his bat. The Eleven then took the field, and showed in spite of their want of practice, that they knew their work. Mr Flan-1 nagan and Mr Wan don both showed some very good bowling, and Mr J. T. Robinson was a tower of strength at the wickets ; while Mr R. Maxted proved that his batting was not to be treated with indifference, by making two or three splendid hits. At 1.30 p.m. they went to lunch at Ewart’s hotel, and returning about 2.30, their innings was finished a few minutes past three. The following is the score :

It having been previously arranged that the wickets should be drawn at 5.30, it became evident that the game could not be played out that evening. Space will not permit us to say much on the second innings ; the score will show the nature of the play. ¥e might, however, remark, that Mr J. T. Robinson gallantly followed

the example of his namesake, by scoring 26 runs out of 63. In conclusion, we are happy to record the amicable feeling which prevailed on both sides; nor can we pass without notice the courteous manner in which the Eleven, as the challengers, conceded the point when any trifling dispute arose. We are also pleased to add, that we have since learned that this is likely to cause a renewal of these friendly meetings, and to awaken fresh interest in this manly and health inspiring game. By 5.45 the ground was pretty well cleared, without the aid of “stretchers,” or the other contract so gravely called for, and we among the rest retired to refresh, while the brethren of the Manchester Unity prepared for THE PROCESSION. j For the first time in the history of Blenheim, we have to record a public procession of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, clothed in the handsome regalia of their order. Upwards of 70 of the brethren mustered at their lodge-room at Ewart’s hotel, and, headed by the bancL. proceeded up Maxwell road as far as the town boundary, returning through Market street and Grove road to the Opawa bridge, and back to the lodge. A sight of such unusual gaiety attracted an unusual number of spectators, forming an appropriate finale to the pleasures of the day. THE DINNER. ' 7.45 the sounding of a gong announced the welcome news that dinner was served, and anon the savory odours of the good cheer provided by Brother Purkiss greeted our olfactory nerves. The tables were laid in James’ Assembly Room, and did great credit to the care and ability of the caterer. W. H. Eyes, Esq., M.H.R. presided; and among the visitors present we noticed the Mayor, and several leading gentlemen of the neighborhood. After ample justice had been done to the viands so plentifully provided— Mr Eyes rose and proposed “The Queen and the Royal family,” which was readily responded to with due honors, the band playing the National Anthem. Mr H. Pitt then proposed “The Army, Navy, and Volunteers.” He said the merits of British soldiers and sailors were so well known that the duty assigned to him was a light one. These gallant and useful bodies of men required no praise from him ; in fact, he considered their achievements were beyond all praise. (Cheers.) As to the Volunteers, the manner in which the movement had been sustained in the older countries of Europe was a proof of its value and popularity ; and, should the occasion ever arise, he was convinced the Volunteers of Marlborough would be as ready to distinguish themselves as any of their confreres in any part of the world. (Cheers.) The toast was drank with much enthusiasm, and replied to by Mr J. Kxsslinc, who said he felt he had a right to address them, not only as a Volunteer —for though he had not left the Volunteers, the Volunteers of Blenheim had left him—but by the mystic influence which existed in such societies as the Oddfellows, Masons, and Forresters ; he felt he had the right to address them as a brother. (Hear, hear.) He could not speak in very glowing language of the Volunteers of Blenheim, for if his memory did not deceive him, he thought that at the last parade they could only muster one volunteer and seven cadets. (Laughter.) He would not, however, dwell on this part of the subject, nor further allude to the causes of this apparent apathy. He still believed that our Volunteers would prove, should the occasion arise, a great support in the hour of need. He hoped such necessity would never occur; in fact, it would be better for the world at large, and for the cause of civilization, if such men as Napoleon and Bismarck would meet and fight out their differences at a game of cricket, as we had done to-day. There would be fewer fatherless babes, desolate homes, and widowed hearts than now. In conclusion he would thank them for the cordial manner in which the toast had been drunk, and assured them of the extreme pleasure he had in meeting them as man and man. The next toast was “ Odd Fellowship,” proposed from the Chair. In doing so, The Chairman expressed his admiration of the principles of the Order. He had once been admitted as an honorary member of that Lodge, and he could vouch that he had never divulged any secrets of the Order, for the one very excellent reason that it was quite beyond his power to do so j but this he could say, that he knew it was a society banded together for good. He should always esteem them, and remember with gratitude that they had always been kind to him. Drank with Lodge honors, the band playing “ Auld Lang Syne.” Mr John T. Robinson, in rising to acknowledge the toast, would not trouble them with a long speech, nor would he go into figures and statistics, as was his usual custom; he would confine himself to Odd Fellowship, the establishment of which was once opposed by certain Governments,, because, being a secret society, it was thought to be dangerous to the State, but such ideas were exploded in England many years ago. The Government in this part of the world, however, was always a hundred years behind the more civilised portions of society, otherwise it would have thought twice before it offered an insult to so large and influential a body of citizens as the Odd Fellows of Marlborough. (Hear, hear.) He would tell any Government who dared to insult the Odd Fellows, that they would find opposition spring up of which they never dreamed, and coming from whence they would never know. (Applause.) He thanked them for the toast in the name'of Odd Fellow-

ship, the object of which was good and nothing else but good. (Cheers.) The health of the Marlborough District was proposed by the Vice-Chairman, Mr Nixon, and replied to by Mr J, Gorrie, who said that Odd Fellowship was like a vine whose root was in Manchester, but the branches were spread all over the civilised world, under the shadow of which the sick and needy find safe and pleasant shelter; they . were established to help the orphan and the * widow. This District was one of the branches, containing lodges—the central one of which was in Blenheim—which he might compare to the leaves, the tendrils anc fruit of the vine. He regretted that such a Society should have been insulted, which he felt it had been. (Hear, hear.) The Gourlays—or, in fact, any travelling mountebank —had been allowed the use of the Provincial Hall whenever they asked for it, but we had been picked out as the first against whom the doors should be shut. The emblems he wore were those of peace and industry; there were no daggers. Odd Fellowship was uot antagonistic to Church or State ; they fostered no gunpowder plots, consequently no Government was justified in slighting them. (Cheers.) Mr P. Rush proposed “The Loyal Renwick Lodge,” which was briefly responded to by Mr D. Monro. Mr Niel Macaulay gave “ The Loyal Marlborough Lodge,” which was drank with due honor, and responded to by Mr Johnson, who gave some statistical information as to the Lodge. The number of members on the books was 123; there had joined during the year 9 persons ; 3 had joined other lodges ; and 3 had taken out clearances. The capital on 30th June last was £BO2 5s l|d, the most part of which was invested in freehold securities, and the Bank balance was about £6O. There had been little sickness during the last year, and no deaths, while the privileges of the members had been increased by providing medical aid for their wives and children. The next toast on the programme was “The Agricultural, Pastoral, and Commercial Interests,” ably represented by Mr Barleyman in a neat and telling speech, and appropriately acknowledged by Mr Sinclair. Mr Connal proposed “ The Mayor and Cor- ’ poration of Blenheim,” which was replied to by The Mayor, who expressed his gratification at this proof of the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. After briefly alluding to the progress of the town as a Municipality, and the establishment of various public bodies, he hoped next year to see theJEire Brigade on the list of toasts, as it was an organisation"of the highest importance. Had Lyttelton possessed such an institution, much loss might have been prevented. Before sitting down he proposed." The Town and Trade of Blenheim,” which, being drank with much enthusiasm, was humorously acknowledged by Mr Gorrie. Mr Kissling gave “The Press,” with "which he felt proud to couple the name of Mr Samuel Johnson, whom he eulogised as a man who did what he professed to do. Mr Johnson rose to reply amidst loud and long continued applause. He thanked them for the proud honor they conferred on him, and gratefully acknowledged his own prosperity as the best proof of the success wV>L.K his efforts as a journalist. As soon as his machinery arrived, the order for which was now in England, he purposed giving them a larger paper, but he could scarcely hope for any increased support, as the circulation of 'the Express extended from range to range, .and from the seaboard to far beyond the limits of the Province. Mr Waddy proposed “The Ladies,” in a speech both humorous and pathetic, which was ably responded to by Mr Maskell. Mr W. D. Bright proposed “Our Guests and Visitors, which was eloquently responded to by Mr Norman, of the Hand and Heart Lodge, Dunedin. Mr John T. Robinsov proposed the health of the Chairman, which was warmly received. Mr Eyes briefly acknowledged the honor, and the kind spirit in which it was conferred, After which the meeting separated, we have every reason to believe, fully satisfied with the pleasures of the day.

THE ELEVEN — FIRST INNINGS. W. Robinson, b Rush - 48 Kitchen, b Woolley 1 Flannagan, c M‘lvor, b Rush 0 J. T. Robinson, b Rush 2 H. Grimstone, 1 b w, b Rush • 0 Wandon, suicide, b Carter - 8 Tissiman, c Marsh, b Rush - 0 Rayner, b Rush • - - 6 Kissling, c Nixon, b Rush 3 Morley, b Rush 0 W. Eyes, not out - 1 Byes 4, wides 2 6 Total 75 Analysis of bowling.—P. Rush : 74 balls, 38 runs, 3 maiden overs, 6 wickets. W oolley : 30 balls, 16 runs, 1 maiden over, 1 wicket. Carter: 36 balls, 17 runs, 1 maiden over, 1 wicket. R. MTvor : 6 balls, 1 wicket. SECOND INNINGS. W. Robinson, b MTvor 15 W. Eyes, b MTvor 9 J. T. Robinson, c Rush, b Woolley 26 H. Grimstone, b MTvor 0 Flannagan, b Parker 4 Rayner, b Parker - 1 Morley, run out, b MTvor 2 Kitchen, b Woolley 1 Tissiman, b MTvor 1 Kissling, 1 b w, b Woolley 0 Wandon .... 4 Byes 6, wides 1 - - 7 Total 70 THE TWENTY-TWO—FIRST INNINGS. Mortimer, run out 0 Wratt, b Flannagan 0 MTvor, c Wandon, b Flannagan 3 Budge, b Flannagan 6 Shepherd, b Flannagan - 0 Woolley, run out • 4 W. Parker, st J.T. Robinson, b Wandon 1 Page, b Flannagan 1 Clark, b Wandon - 0 Nixon, c and b Flannagan 9 Carter, b Flannagan 1 Organ, c J. T. Robinson, b Wandon 0 P. Rush, c Morley, b Wandon 0 J. Sinclair, c Eyes, b Wandon 0 Marsh, c and b Flannagan 4 W. Tait, st J. T. Robinson, b Wandon 0 Bush, b Morley run out 5 R. Maxted, b Morley ■ 10 T. Gledhill, not out 0 Fabian, b Morley - 0 Gledhill, run out - 0 Davidson, st J. T. Robinson, bFlannaga n 0 Byes 23, wides 7, leg byes 1 31 Total 75 Analysis of bowlfng.—Flannagan 123 balls, 14 runs. 10 maiden overs, 9 wickets. Wandon : 84 balls, 12 runs, 7 maiden overs, 6 wickets. Robinson : 18 balls, 8 runs, 0 maiden overs, 0 wickets. " Morley : 18 balls, 3 runs, overs, 2 wickets. 0 maiden SECOND INNINGS. J. Nixon, run out, b Morley - R. Maxted, b Morley - 5 0 W. Parker, b Flannagan 9 Mortimer, 1 b w, b Flannagan 2 R, MTvor, run out, b Flannagan 4 G. Carter, 1 b w, b Flannagan 5 Budge, b Flannagan 3 Page, stumps drawn 5 Byes 4, wides 1 5 Total - 38