GEORGE GIFFEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2561, 6 May 1903, Page 54

GEORGE GIFFEN.

On Friday evening, April 24, the veteran cricketer of South Australia, who is etiil active on tlie first-class playing fields, was tendered a social by his comrades in ihe General Post Office and the West Adelaide Club (says "Recorder") George Giffen is now 44 years of age, and in regard to length of service with bat and ball, as well as to the worth of his play, he will ever be known aa the W. G. Grace of Australia. Hi« complete return to form in the season concluded three weeks ago -was one of the most gratifying features of the South Australian cricket year, and it was to recognise his itndomitable pluck and perseverance that his friends wished to do him honour. Practically, so long as the team of this State has been accepted on oven terms with those of England, New South Wales, and. Victoria, Giffen has been a prominent figure, and it is not too much to say that he has won matches against each of the three sides named by his own batting and bowling. A summary of his remarkable performances, which includes every first-class match in which he has p'.aycd, is here attached: — Geoege Giffen in First-Class Cricket, battixg.

BOWLING. O. M. R W. Avg. Aue'iahsn XL's in England .. .. 4.813.2 1.641 9.PHO 532 IS 58 Interstate .. 2,360.1 718 7,536 330 22.9S Combined A/ustral.an Teams 273.5 89 749 40 18.72 Test Matches, Australian 768.1 247 1,783 70 25.47 S.A. v England 531 122 1,472 58 25.37 Against America 143.5 29 408 14 29 14 Smokers v. Non-Smokers 7 2 18 — —

Grand totals 3,496 2 3,248 21,903 1,044 20.03

Owing to the prevalence of tcarlet fev^r iv Ashburtou it has br^en decided to kr-c-p the local school closed for another fortnight.

At a meeting of the Captain Cook Memorial Committee, held at Gisborne, it waa statted that the subscriptions now amourted to £500, without the Government subsidy of pound for pound. It was decided to acquire five acres on Kaiti Hill, overlooking Cook's landing place, extending to the beach. The total of the school children's contributions is £192 6s. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the children throughout the colony, special reference being made to the Native scholars, who had shown a keen interest in the movement and contributed mdst liberally. The form the memorial will take was discussed, and the matter was deferred.

Inn. A.O. Kuns. ii.S. Avg. Liistrphan XL's in England .. .. 268 16 5,806 [merstate .. .. 90 4 3,762 Combined Australian Teams . .. 13 2 200 Feat Matches, Australia 30 — FSO 3. A. v. England .. 16 2 679 Against Anierif" .. 10 — 406 Smokers v. XonSinoker3 .... 2 — 21 180 23.03 271 43.74 67 26.30 161 25.33 203 45.50 1,0 40.60 15 10.56 Giand totals .. 42) 24 11,814 271 29.17