CRICKET.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1163, 15 June 1894, Page 27

CRICKET.

PRESENTATION TO MR A. ASHBOLT. A very pleasant feature of the Wellington Cricket Association's annual " social " on Friday night was a presentation, on the occasion of his silver wedding, to Mr Alfred Ashbolt, who has acted in the capacity of umpire for many years past. Tho Chairman, Mr J. Duthie, M.H.R., in making tho presentation, said that for many years Mr Ashbolt had filled a position which usually gained for the person holding it more kicks than halfpence, and in which ho had tho eyes of the whole crickoting world upon him, watching with every disposition to find fault with his decisions. Mr Ashbolt had faithfully discharged his duties and every year had more and more added to the confidence and respect of cricketers. (Applause.) Mr Ashbolt arrived in Wellington in 1881, and played for tho Phoenix Club until 1884. From that time ho had umpired for Association cup matches without fail for nine years, and also all foreign matches except the first match with New South Wales. In that capacity he had gained the confidence and esteem of the Association, and although the presentation was not of great value, still it was an expression of the hearty goodwill and confidence of tho Association. (Applauso.) There was also an address, which was not yet illuminated, but would be eventually, anr 1 which read as follows : " Wellington, mo Bth, 1894. —To Alfred Ashbolt, Esq., Wellington. Dear Sir,—On behalf of the cricketers of Wellington, wo, the undersigned, bog to offer you our hearty congratulations on the celebration of your silver wedding, and trust that Mrs Ashbolt and yourself will be spared to see many more years of happiness and health. We also ask you to accept the accompanying small' token of tho regard in which you are held by the cricketers of the Empire City, who feci it is a very small recognition of tho invaluable services you have rendered to our noble pastime, not only by your impartial umpiring and assistance in the selection of representative teams, but also in the management and superintendence of the ground.—We aie, dear Sir, Yours very sincerely, C. S. Cross ; Ernest F. Upiiam, Secretary Wellington Cricket Association ; F. E. Brittain, Hon Treasurer Association; A. C. Taylor, Hon Secretary Midland Cricket Club ; Charles W. Stevens, Hon Secretary Phosnix Cricket Club; H. F. Gibbons, Hon Secretary Wellington Cricket Club ; R. E. Hayes, Hon Secretary Rival Cricket Club."

The other portion of tho presentation consisted of a very handsome silver tea and coffee service, bearing the following inscription: "Presented by Wellington Cricketers to Alfred A«hbolt on his Silver Wedding, 1804." The applauso and musical honours which greeted the presentation having subsided, Mr Ashbolt replied, saying that when he took up the duties of umpire in Wellington some nine years ago he little dreamt ho should give satisfaction, let alone be made tho recipient of such a testimonial as they had so generously presented to him that evening. Ho could assure them that the time he had spent on the Basin Reserve and the work ho had done there had been a pure labour of love, and he was sure he had derived as much enjoyment from the games played as any of the players. He was delighted at the position Wellington occupied at the present time in the cricket world, and with such a number of promising " colts" coming on, he felt sure they would be able to hold their own in the coming years. On behalf of his wife and himself he thanked them most heartily for their handsome gift—a gift that would be one of his most treasured possessions, and which he hoped would be an incentive to his sons, that when the day came for them to lay aside the bat and ball they would take up the far more pleasant pastime of umpiring; and his only hope was that they would derive as much pleasure from it as he had done. He could not sit down without thanking all senior players in Wellington for their great kindness to him during the past nine years. No doubt decisions had been at times given that had appeared doubtful, but he had never heard a murmur from a single player, be he bowler or batsman, against those decisions. He thanked them one and all for their magnificent gift. (Loud applause.) WELLINGTON CRICKET ASSOCIATION. The annual social gathering of the Wellington Cricket Association was held at the Occidental Hotel on Friday. Mr J. Duthie, M.H.R., vice-president, occupied the chair, and there were about 60 present. A good supply of refreshments was provided by Mrs Moeller, and a very pleasant evening was spent by all. Letters of apology at being unable to be present were read from Mr H. D. Bell, M.H.R. (president), and Messrs Gibbons and Bates. The toasts of "Tho Queen" and "The Governor" having been duly honoured, the Chairman presented the following trophies:— The Lerin Shield to Mr R. Blacklock, captain of the Midland Cricket Club, winners of the Senior Championship ; certificate to Mr Mcßain, of the Star Club, winners of the Second-class Championship ; Mr K. W. Bethune, of the Wellington third, cup presented by the late Mr Dixon to the winners of the Third-class Championship ; Mr C. S. Cross, trophy presented by Messrs Jenncss and Co. for best average in Senior Cup matches, which he Anns outright, bat presented by Messrs Duthie and Co. for the best average in Senior Cup contests, and Cameron and Christie's bat for the highest score in Senior Cup matches; Mr C. A. Benbow, bat presented by Mr Worth for the best bowling average in Senior Cup matches; Mr Henry Page, bat presented by Cameron and Christie for the highest individual score

in second-class matches ; Mr G. L. Judd, bat presented by Messrs Cameron and Cristie for the highest individual score in third-class matches. The following toast list was gone through during the evening: —" House of Representatives/' proposed by Mr C. S. Cross, and replied to by the Chairman ; " President of the Wellington Cricket Association and Vice-Presidents," proposed by Mr 11. Blacklock, |and replied to by the Chairman; " Kindred Sports," proposed by Mr A. R. Meek, and responded to by Messrs W. T. Wynyard and N. L. Gurr ; " The Winners of the Shield," proposed by Mr C. S. Cross and responded to by Mr R. Blacklock, captain of the Midland Cricket Ciub; "The Secretary and Treasurer," proposed by Mr Pearson and responded to by Messrs E. F. Upham and P. J. Brittain; " The Givers of Trophies," proposed by Mr Brittain and replied to by the Chairman and Mr Rash; " The Ladies," proposed by Mr Niven and responded to by Mr Holdship; "Mr Ashbolt, jun.," proposed by Mr Bock and duly responded to by Mr Frank Ashbolt; " The Press," proposed by Mr C. L. Hoffmann and responded to by Messrs F. K. Reeves (New Zealand Times) and W. Coffey (Evening Post). A varied programme of vocal and instrumental music was provided, the performers being Messrs T. H. Coltman, Niven, C. A. Benbow, A. R. Holdship, Lash, C. L. Hoffmann, W. T. Wynyard, S. Dyer and E. F. Upham. The proceedings concluded with the customary compliment to the chairman. MIDLAND CLUB. The Midland Cricket Club's averages for the past season are as follow : First Eleven—Batting.

THE PHCENIX CLUB. A sijecial general meeting- of the Phoenix Club was held at the Occidental Hotel la.°t Wednesday to receive the annual report and balance-sheet, and for the presentation of trophies won during the season. There were about thirty members present. Mr Benbow presided. Apologies for nonattendance were received from Mr Duncan, who was unavoidably absent owing to business engagements, and from Mr E. B. Williams. The report and balance - sheet were adopted, on the motion of the chairman. Mr Benbow distributed the trophies as follows:—The Cock trophy, awarded to the member who has rendered the best all-round service to the Clnb during the season, won by Mr E. C. Niven ; senior batting average, Mr Gully's trophy, Mr G. E. Burton; senior bowling average, Mr Gully's trophy, Mr C. A. Benbow • junior batting average, Messrs W. and G. Turnbull's cup, Mr S. Roberts; junior bowling average, Mr G. T. Millward; third batting average, Mr C. Midlane; third bowling average, Mr C. E. Stevens. The following toasts were proposed and suitably acknowledged : dents," proposed by Mr Webb, and acknowledged by Mr C, W. Benbow; " The Captain," proposed by Mr Mclntyre, and responded to by Mr Ogier; "The Donors of Trophies," proposed by Mr G. E. Burton ; " The Winners of Trophies," proposed by Mr C. W. Mullins; "The Chairman," proposed by Mr Webb, and responded to by Mr Benbow; "The Press." During the evening Mr P. Mclntyre was, on the motion of Mr Webb, elected a life member for his past services to the Club. Songs were contributed by Messrs R. Angus, G, Bush, W. B. Montgomery, E. C.

Niven, G. Millward, H. Lee, Hueston, S Roberts and G. Warren. Special mention was made of the Athletic Park Company, and members were urgently requested to take up shares and assist in the floating of the Company.

». to a •r-l a ■+-> si o Inning i Mate to Q Q • H r-i a > 6 fc -+3 -*J 03 CO O O 0 H < Y< a a R. V. Blacklock ... 14 3 64* 88 302 27-4 W. T. Wynyar d ... 16 3 73 78 303 233 A. Blacklock 16 2 45 70 297 212 A. B. Williams 14 3 62* 69 188 171 E. F. Upham 15 1 43 51 194 13*8 F. Lash ... 14 — 21 37 180 12-7 W. Salmon 6 — 38 49 82 136 S. J. Tnckcr 14 1 39 41 154 11-8 E. Fitzsimona 11 1 28 39 103 103 S. Nicholls 4 1 10 14 22 73 W. McGirr 11 1 31 31 62 62 D. Drummond 10 3 15 15 35 5 A. Smith ... o — 4 4 4 6 * Signifies not out. BOWLING , Balls. Mdns. . Rns. Wkts. Avr. E. F. Upham 1476 i 51 534 60 8'9 E. Fitzsimona 1305 t to 551 50 11 I). Drummond 158 2 83 8 103 W. McGirr 464 11 244 12 20*3 S. J. Tucker 98 1 42 2 21 W.T.Wynyard 96 Second El 2 m i Batting. m EVE IN— ■n to DO _fl bo o . 1 no .2 a d . -P a £ 9 o 3 CM O 3 O o in In in 3 r—( 9 i 6 «H 4J 09 CO o o a a o << W. P. Salmon n 5 16 25 75 12-5 J. Smith ... 6 1 37 48 62 124 W. Roberts 8 — 40 46 80 10 K. H. Tucker 10 2 26 26 68 8*4 W. Brittland 9 — 31 31 75 8'3 S. Hickson... 12 1 29* 29 80 7*3 R. Smith ... 4 — 12 14 23 5'6 G. L. Cole... 11 1 12* 16 53 5*3 A.Smith ... 8 — 7 13 28 35 Swiney 5 — 7 8 15 3 H. Taylor ... 6 — 6 6 18 3 A. R. Wakelin 3 — 8 8 10 3-3 A. Merlet ... 3 — 5 9 9 3 C. A. Wyatt 11 3 5* 5 23 29 A. C. Taylor W. Hutchings 7 2 4* 6 12 2'4 4 — 4 4 5 12 *; Signifies not out. BOWLING . Balls. Mdns . Rns. Wkts. Avr. S. Hickson ... 21 3 0 3 -o J. Smith 398 15 124 29 4'2 W. P. Salmon 103 2 41 6 6'8 G. L. Cole ... 156 4 60 7 8'5 Swiney 270 5* 94 10 94 C. A. Wyatt... 889 31 286 30 9-5 A. C. Taylor... 472 16 179 17 10.5