CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12606, 9 March 1903, Page 8

CRICKET.

DINNER AT THE CLUB TO LORD HAWKE'S TEAM. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, March 6. The tour of the English cricket team in New Zealand has just been brought to a conclusion witli a most enjoyable function at the "Wellington Club, where some 60 members and their friends, with the English cricketers, met at dinner. Though the function was of a semi-private nature, the members of the club will no doubt forgive me for briefly referring to an occasion that was somewhat unique. Representatives of the great universities, men who had travelled all over the Empire, men renowned _in the field of sport, who had shot their nine tigers in India and their five lions before breakfast in Africa (but would themselves bo tho last to tell it to you), met in the best of good fellowship with the representatives of the Empire " beyond tho seas," and the gathering was such a one as could take place only on British soil. The speeches were of the briefest, but also of the happiest. Dr Collins proposed the health of the English team, and Mr Warner responded in a capital after-dinner speech, remarking that the name of Collins was not unknown in the world of sport, for Di Collins himself had played half-liack on the football field for England; while Ills nephew, Arthur Collins, bad made tho highest score in cricket on record—spine 6CO odd. Young Englishmeh, said Mr Warner, used to go down to his college simply to see him and to write their names in his Latin grammar; and he must have known that same Latin grammar pretty for news lmd just come to hand that he had passed fourth at Woolich. Mr AVarner emphasised the necessity of obtaining good coaches if we in Now Zealand wish onr cricket to flourish, and where the roaches would do the best work, as he added, was at the colleges. He particularly referred to Reese as a fine cricketer, and mentioned that that player would shortly bo going to England. If he stayed long enough there lie hoped he would be found playing for Middlesex. Mr Warner mentioned also that he had that evening received a telegram from Mr Scddon congratulating them on their success, and (stating that he felt sure New Zealand cricket would benefit by their visit, and wishing thorn lion voyage. In reference to the encomiums that had been passed upon himself, Mr Warner mentioned that they should have seen h : m batting at Wanganui, where ho had readied the high-water mark of inefficiency.—(Laughter.) They bed a fine public school there, too, and many of the college boys had come to see him bat.— . (More laughter, and a jocular remark from Mr Whatman: " Never mind, Warner, they saw me bat.") In conclusion, the English captain thanked the New Zcalanders for their hospitality, and said he honed in throe or four years' time anolh»r English team would be found visiting New Zealand.—(Cheers.) He concluded by proposing the health of the members of the Wellington Club, to which Mr H. D. Hell responded in a vcrv lumpy speech. At 10 o'clock, just before the Sydney steamer east off, a large crowd assembled on the wharf and loudly cheered the ■ English team. Mr Warner, at tho request of tho crowd, mado another brief speech from the upper deck, thanking the people of _ Now Zealand for tlmir splendid hospitality, the memory of which, ho said, would no doubt help to cheer them through manv a long day's fielding in Australia. With this somewhat happy remark, -which was received with shouts of laughter, tho ship's bugle blew, the Mokoia glided out into the darkness, and ainid a renewed outburst of cheering we saw the last of tho English team of 1903.