CORONATION TOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23055, 4 December 1936, Page 14

CORONATION TOUR

SCHOOL CRICKETERS INVITATION TO TEAM There is a possibility of New Zealand beirtg represented in England next year by two cricket teams. The arrangements for New Zealand's official representative team going to England in the ordinary course of international cricket tours have been completed, and it only requires a proposal from overseas to be taken up enthusiastically at this end for a New Zealand boys' cricket team to visit England in Coronation year. A cablegram has been received from Major F. Ney, secretary to the Canadian National Educational Council, asking if a boys' cricket team could be. sent to England at Coronation time, and stating that all arrangements regarding accommodation in England would be looked after there. The request was sent to Mr F. Milner, headmaster of the Waitaki Boys' High School, and the matter is now being placed before the principals and staffs of the various secondary schools by Mr W. A. Armour, president of the New Zealand Secondary Schools' Association, and Mr J. N. Millard, honorary secretary of the New Zealand Secondary School Principals' Association.

It is understood that the New Zealand boys would play a match with a Canadian boys' team which will be in England, as well as with school teams in England, and, of course, with Australian and South African boys' teams should they be there. Major Ney is an excellent organiser, with influential backing in both Canada and England. His idea is the fraternisation on the sporting fields at Home of dominion secondary school teams. Mr Milner has discussed the matter of the proposed tour with Mr Arthur Donnelly (of the New Zealand Cricket Council), Mr Denis Blundell (Cambridge cricket blue), and Mr F. W. Gilligan (headmaster of the Wanganui Collegiate School). The New Zealand Cricket Council, it is stated, is not in a position to render any financial assistance. Mr Blundell considers that an effort should be made to send the team, and Mr Gilligan is of the opinion that a representative team from New Zealand schools should be able to hold its own with the great English public schools, and considers that the standard of cricket in New Zealand schools is higher than in Canadian schools. DUNEDIN SCHOOLS APPROACHED The headmasters of Dunedin secondary schools have received a circular informing them of the proposal, and asking them to suggest means of enabling the tour to be made. The names of possible members of the team are also submitted. The rector of the Otago Boys' High School (Mr H. P. Kidson) stated last night that, although he was not in favour of such tours on ordinary occasions, he approved of the suggested tour because of the special circumstances. A visit to England in the Coronation year would be of great educational value to the boys. t Though we have not yet had time to consider the proposal," he said, " we shall do our best from this end."

"The first thing to do is to see whether a really good side is available," remarked Mr Denis Blundell when approached in Wellington regarding the proposal. "It would be of no use having 12 batsmen or 12 bowlers. The side must be well balanced, as the standard over there will probably be high. The team should be chosen just as if it were for the playing of a match here. I think, too, that the M.C.C. should be communicated with as soon as possible with a view to a match at Lord's. Major Ney will see that the team gets due prominence, but for that prominence to be of the kind we desire the team must be a really good one."

It is understood that the amount of fares to and from England would have to be found at this end, and,inquiries are being made as to what can be done in this direction.