A CRICKET VETERAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19838, 7 January 1928, Page 10

A CRICKET VETERAN.

UMPIRE AT EIGHTY YEARS,

THE RECORD OF MR. W. R. BOCK.

[By TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. J WELLINGTON, Friday.

Mr. W. R. Bock, whose long and outstanding connection with cricket in Wellington has made hiin one of the bestknown umpires in the cwy, was, during the luncheon adjournment in the OtagoWellington match to-day, presented with a birthday cake to celebrate his 80th birthday, which occurred to-day. Eulogistic reference to Mr. Bock's connection with the game was made by Mr. 0. J. Wilson and Mr. A. F. Wyren, president and vice-president respectively of the Wellington Cricket Association. Mr. Bock aas every right to be termed a veteran of the game, for he is still in harness and to-day was out at the Basin Reserve umpiring the representative match between Wellington and Otago. Mr. Bock came to Wellington from Hobart, Tasmania, 59 years ago, and except for a period of five years immediately following his marriage, has been actively connected with Wellington and Dominion cricket all that time. He first played the game in Tasmania and since his residence in Wellington has played for the Star, Phoenix and Britannia Clubs, which are now defunct. For the past 25 years Mr. Bock has been actively connected with the Wellington Cricket Umpires' Association, of which he is now chairman.