CRICKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2955, 2 November 1910, Page 60

CRICKET.

SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM'S FIXTURES. NOVEMBER. 4,5, 7, 8. —v. South Australia, at Adelaide. 11, 12, 14, 15.—v. Victoria, on M.C.C. ground. 18, 19, 21, 22.—v. New South Wales, at Sydney. 25, 26, 28, 29.—v. Queensland, at Brisbane. 30, Deoember 1. —v. Toowoomba. DECEMBER. 2,3, 5. —v. Eleven of Australia, at Brisbane. 9J 10, 12, 13.—First Test ;/ Sydney. 16, 17. —v. Newcastle and Hunter River District, at Newcastle. 21, 22.—v. Combined Universities, at Sydney. 26, 27, 28.—v. Bendigo, at Bendigo. 31, Jan. 2,3, 4.—Second Test, M.C.C. ground. JANUARY. 6,7, 9, 10.—Third Test, Adelaide. 14, 16, 17.—v. Tasmania, at Launceston. 20, 21, 23.—v. Tasmania, at Hobart. 27, 28. —v. Hamilton, at Hamilton. 31, Feb. I—v. Bullarat, at BalLarafc N FEBRTARY. 3,4, 6, 7.—v. Victoria, on M.C.C. ground. 10, 11, 13, 14.—Fourth Test, M.C.C. ground. 17, 18, 21. —v. New South Wales, at Sydney. 24, 25, 27, 28.—Fifth Test, Sydney. MARCH. 4,6, 7. —v. South Australia, at Adelaide.

SOTES BY LONG SLIP.

It is not on record that Kipling was ever a great cricketer or ever made two centuries in a match in his career, otherwise ho might not have written of the "flannelled fool at the wicket." Out in India Kipling did play some cricket on fast wickets, where the ball came along at rare pace, and took his share in the long field, racing like a terrier to save the boundaries with the temperature at 90! Possibly it was such like experiences which caused Kipling to speak of the "flannelled fool." I don't know. I only met the writer of "Plain Tales from the Hills," "Kim," etc., once, and he was not then in the humour to speak of his cricket days on the sun-baked wickets at Simla. Otherwise I had the

' question prepared. The foregoing serves to introduce the fact that there were quite a lot of Kipling's flannelled persons who were not allowed to proceed to the wiekets on Saturday by reason of the action taken bv the Otago Cricket Association in disqualifying the Grange Club for playing a man t.lie previous Saturday whose name was on the defaulters' list. The curious conclusions arrived at by the Otago Cricket Association in matters of recent legislation has created a deal of unfavourable comment in resi>cet to the wisdom and judgment of That association. Cricket in Dunodin develops slowly—so slowly, if at all, that instead of placing obstacles in the road of its development, every encouragement should bo given to its progress by the removal of restrictions which retard its growth. If the Olago Cricket Association desires to promote the host interests of the game—and the best interests are its development,—the policy of the association should tend strongly in that direction. At present too much club and personal feeling is allowed to enter into the business which comes before the committee, warping the judgment, to the distress of the game. The Carisbrook A Eleven, which has been spoken of as a strong combination, proved j | too weak in bowling to Tio'd in check the : Albion representatives, who are to be congratulated on their, victory. Carisbrook without Fisher is like "Hamlet" without the Prance. The south-end ! club missed the left-hander from th© bowl- ! ing crease more than perhaps they care to I admit. Certain, it is that Fisher would i have kept the Albion batsmen quiet, but in the absence of somo such influence, and opposed by a rather weak attack, Albion I

were able to pile on the runs with disastrous effect to* the Carisbrook bowlers. It was M'Farlane and Hiddleston who gave such a. fine exhibition on the North Ground the previous Saturday—M'Farlane all round the wicket and Hiddleston with perhaps less variety in front. A prospect of Hiddleston proving the first centurymaker of the season in, First Grade cricket was nipped in the bud by the ycung Albion- batsman making his first bad stroke, and being caught without increasing his score. I was sorry to see Hiddleston go in this fashion, for one looks to him to make a number of rune this season.

On some promising form of last season j there was just tho possibility of an aocusa- ' tion being laid against Duthie. for makingruns, particularly against bowling not over-strong. Duthie more than defied the attack to break through his defence. He hit the bowling hard and often, and banged it around crisply on, both sides of the wicket, always, however, choosing the right ball. He is a likely-looking batsman, and with good coaching should go far. Soandrett, the left-hander, from Southland, compiled 17 in a way which promises welt for future engagements; while Cumin ings surprised his best friends by compiling 30 like a tradesman, and carrying his bat. The prospect of Albion sccuving a 4-point win was brightest -when- Wilson. Barron, Siedeberg, and Godfrey were sent back to the pavilion for a triflCj but with the advent of Watson and Rutherford the rot was Checked, and all chance of the maximum points being awarded was gone. Watson, a younger brother of Harold , Watson, is a fine type of batsman, who will make his mark on local cricket fields this season. In addition to a fine variety of strokes he exercises judgment and patience—virtues denied save to the few. Despite the fact that he should have been out before reaohing double figures, Watson played a splendid and decidedly useful | innings. Rutherford, too, is deserving of praise for his fine stand. An innings of 60, with few blemishes and many bright spots, it was good to watch, and hopeful for the matches to come. The Albion fielding was fair. Scandrett took two good catches, but was unfortunate in missing an easy one, giving Watson a life which proved l expensive, and possibly robbed Albion of a 4-point victory. R. Torrance, the Dunedin bowler, whom I expect to 6ee take Fisher's place for many seasons to come at the crease for Otago, will be available to play for his club against Carisbrook A on Saturday. They are pretty keen on cricket in Auckland. Lord Hawke ■ has sent Pearson, hhet Worcestershire professional, out. They secured Frank Ward, from Lancashire, as soon as he arrived by the Cornwall, and they have Sammy Jones and Frank Shacklock to coach their college lade and schoolboys. But, even with this quartet, they were not satisfied, for they made an offer of £3 a week 'to Holland, an ex-Sun - ey man now in Dunedin. The Otago Cricket Association, however, had made him a prior offer, which he accepted. Our old friend Frank Shacklock, now a coach in Auckland, hit up 54 the other day, and was unbeaten at the finish. Another exOtago player, A. M. Howden, of North Shore, secured five wickets for 29 runs. Carl Beale, who played for Grange last oeason, is now playing for Linwood (Christchurch), to which club he should bo i more than tolerably useful. The leading members of last year's Canterbury Eleven are very eager to make another attack on the Plunket Shield at Christmas time, seeing that Auckland will not send an eleven here till late in the season. At present the cricketers will paypart of their own expenses, there will, be a share of the gate, the CCA. will be asked to grant £25 at the most to the trip, and the public will be asked to contribute the balance. Tho Dunedin public financed at short notice the last Otago team to Auckland, and there should bo no difficulty in the way of finance for the CanterburyEleven.

Youngest of a family of five sons, all ministers and all cricketer;?, the Rev. E. 0. Blamires strayed into the Basin Reservo last week and met some bowling—by no means bad bowling—in pretty and masterly style (remarked a Wellington critic). People who know good cricket when they see it have been talking about it, for the unusual attracts attention, and, ordinarily, a clergyman is supposed to wrestle with other foes than the mere turns and twists and unexpected jumps of soz of cork wrapped in red pigskin. It will be remembered that the eldest of the family (H. L. Blamires) played for the Thorndon Cricket Club five years ago, and now represents Waikato. "E. O." represented Ota<?o and North Canterbury, and while in Otago he played for the leading club— Canisbrook A. In 1906 lie liad a batting average of 58, and in the following year one of 35. These averages were achieved on rather rough wickets. His highest individual score in that period was 138 not cut, against Albion. Earlier doings with ba,t and ball occurred in Southland. On Now Year's Day, 'O4. Mr Blamires and his eldest brother donned the flannels for Bluff against Gore Blamires frcres bowled unchanged in both innings, and scored 115 nuta out of Bluff's total of 145, so" the '"white rig-out" of the cricketer and the black broadcloth of the minister evidently both equally suit the family for outdoor wear. But it is «>methin<? of an open secret that the affection of Mr Blamires for the black has rather dimmed his enthusiasm for the white, and he does not now look at cricket with the eyes with which he viewed it when a very voun? man at Wesley College, Melbourne." The fact is that his heart is almost entirely in the work of being a minister, and when in Dunedin he held special services for cricketers. On one of these occasions the Carislbrook Club—a somewhat exclusive body—showed their appreciation of their brother cricketer by furnishing a quartet party for the meeting. It is stated that a Sunday evening's service, by Mr Blamires, in which he "opens out" on cricket (as he sometimes docs) is -worth going some distance to hear.

Two interesting points arising- out of the Imperial conference held at Lord's ground. London, on June 16, 1909, were discussed at the recemt meeting of the Australian Board of Control The South Africans wished to 'have the rules regarding qualification of players altered so that no one who has represented 1 one country shall be allowed to play , with another in test matches. At present, on the consent of the the contracting parties, permission may bo given in special cases. It was decided to leave the rule as it is. as it ft*considered that, rue.rmission would only be given in

exceptional circumstances. The South Africans aleo want to .have the cycle of triangular matches increased from four to six years, and in this t'he board was also against any alteration. The Australian team which is to visit England in 1912 is supposed' to go to South Africa on the completion of its tour in England, but the South Africans wish the visit to bo postponed until latca in the season. This matter will bo discussed with the manager of tho South African team on arrival. Much that is interesting has been written concerning' Allan Hill, the great Yorkshh-o fast bowler, who was out in Australia in 1876, and who died recently, but no mention, so far a 3 I know, has been made of the fact that the accident which terminated liis career as a fast bowler occurred on tho Aston Lower Grounds Meadow, the scene of eo many of tho so-oalled All-England matches. The accident took place in 1884, when Allan Hill was playing for the AllEngland XI against a local team, 16 strong. He was batting with. Alfred Shaw, and in trying a short ran Hill ran into the wicket-keeper, who was taking the ball from tho throw-in. The collision was a violent one, and the Yorkshiremap came down with-such a crash that his collar-bone was badly broken, and he could never command his old pace. He did some coaching in the early days of the Warwickshire Cricket Club at Edigbaston.—"Brum," in the Athletic News.

Mordecai Sherwin was a coal miner out at Basford, which is \ suburb of Nottingham. With hands like iron and as capacious as a Gladstone bag, he was determined to make tome money with them. So he took a ball and threw it as hard as he could against a wall, catching it on the rebound, whatever was the angle of return. Thus he taught himself. With such preparation as this he presented himself one day on the Trent Bridge ground and saw Captain Hoklen, who was the chief constable of the county, and the honorary secretary and dictator of Notts cricket. He brought tho brusquerio and bluffness of tho stereotyped military, man ' into the peaceful game of cricket. One needed somo hea.rt to approach Captain Hc'!den, but She'rwin tackled him and r-sked for a trial as a wicketkeeper. He told the captain that ho "wur frittened o' nowb." That appealed to Captain Holden. who saw Sherwin tested. I use the word "tested" advisedly, as a ball cut open one of Sherwin's eyelids. One hand was required for his eye, and with the other he went through the practice, .kept wicket so well that he was given the berth in tho county team, and retained it for sixteen years, besides his work up at Lord's, and a heavy tour in Australia in 1886-87. when this remarkable man never failed to don his gloves in one match. —"Tityrus." P. R. Johnson, who has been able to assist Somerset of late, had an experience which is very rare in first-class cricket in August, as he scored 98 not out and 96 not out in the same match. Few players, whether amateur or professional, have had such a narrow escape from obtaining two hundreds in a match—although, in spite of his four, successes in this direction, C. B. Fry has been as near and failed. P. Randall Johnson is a native of New Zealand. In the Eton Eleven of 1897 ho afterwards entered Trinity. Cambridge, and secured his Blue in 1901—although his fast bowling probably won him his colours in conjunction with his batting. As it happened his bowling nearly won the 'Varsity match. Since giving up bowling through an injury, he has become a first-rate batsman. In view, of his achievements of 98 and 96-both not out—it is interesting to recall that in August. 1906, at Taunton, he scored 96 and 109 not out against Worcestershire. He must feel thankful that he made 164 and 131 for Somerset asjainst Middlesex at Taunton in August, 1908. When released from the Bar he is evidently a man to be feared in August.— The Athletic News.

DUNEDIN CLUB. In receiving and accepting- several _ resignations from the club at its meeting, the Durredin Cricket Club Committee discussed the matter of players' transfers generally, and fcho case of C. G. Wilson in particular. Mr T. S. Graham, who presided, moved the following resolution—" That this committee strongly resents the potion of the Otago Cricket Association in dealing with the matter of C. G. Wilson's transfer from this club to the Carts-brook Club without giving this committee reasonable opportunity of first considering the aaid player's _ application ; and. further, that this committoo considers that the granting of such transfer without any reasons having been asked by, or given to, the association is clearly con; trary to the spirit of the rule just adopted by that body, and an act of discourtesy to thus club." The mover said he wished it to be understood that the Dunedin Club had not the slightest objection to Mr Wilson withdrawing from its ranks, but it resented the precipitate manner at which this particular , case was taken in hand by the association. Mr Wilson's resignation, which contained no statement of his wishing to play elsewhere, was received late on Tuesday, and his application for a transfer (giving no reasons, however) on the Thursday afternoon. The mover considered it unreasonable to expect tho club to deal with this at such short notice. Mr Wilson had stated, verbally, that his reason for res/inning was that tho club had not elected him to office at ita annual meeting. Mr Graham wished tho position made clear, as the club's motives appeared to be misundorstod in some quarters. Mr Mackersey said he considered that' a slight had been cast upon the club by the association, whose action in this case whero a prominent, member of the association was interested —was open jt)o criticism, and that such action had a weakening effect on tho authority of the governing body. The motion was carried unanimously.

PAVILION GOSSIP.

Two ex-Otago players now in Auckland batting recently: George Cummings 47 and Georpe Mills 87. Arthur Sims, the well-known New Zealand and Canterbury representative player, ia not likely to play before Christmas. O. E. DolKng's brilliant innings for 185 not out for Adelaide University v. Adelaide was almost faultless, and included 24 fours, 5 threes, and 18 twos. " K." Ollivior ia said to bo returning to Christchurch from the West Coast. This is the player Clem Hill once punished to tbo extent of 28 runs in one over. Tho record of John T. Tyldesley, wiho heads the average in England fox tho first time this ya&r. is 51 innings,, 2265

runs, 46.22 average. He alone scored 2000 runs. Trurapetr and Charley Macartney did not assist Gordon to any * extent with the bat in the latest match against University. Read the score sheet: Trumper 1, Macartney 0. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Assoc tat ion one member offered £25 towards liquidating its liabilities, and another pfO'mised to raise a similar amount with the uEinie object. C. G. Macartney bowled well, and yet was comparatively expensive against the University (six fox 85). As batsman he did fioi get a start. In his three efforts for the club he has made 12, 31, and 0. The South African Selection Committee consists of Frank Mitchell, J. H. Sinclair, G. Allsop (secretary of the Wanderers' Club), G. S. Kempis, and T. W. Bell (acting chairman of the South African C.A.). South Australian batsmen of note arcstriking form early. C. E. Dolling, Edgar Mayne, D. R. A. Gehrs, and F. T. Hack have scored centuries, which should have a beneficial effect in the near future. Tommy "Warne receives the first Victorian testimonial match on a big scale on March 10. There is no more genuine cricketer than the popular little Carlton professional, and he certainly deserves well of the clientele. South Africa desires the visit of the Australian team to be deferred from 1912. The Imperial Conference arranged the programme, so that the Australians should play in Africa on their way back from England! end the triangular contest. John T. Hearne's record with the ball is very fine indeed—viz., 119 wickets at an average cost of i2.7i). W. C. Smith, who is next, eeoured 247 wickets at 13.5, P. R Le Couteur 72 at 16.98, F. Tarrant 134 at 16.18, and J. A. Ouffe 59 at 22.81. H. B. Lusk, the Hawke's Bay cricketer, is once •again captain of the Napier United. This ex-New Zealand representative is well towards the veteran stage, and, although he has lost much of his powers with the bat, still takes a keen interest fn the game. The Board of Control, in appointing Clem Hill captain of Australia, did what was generally anticipated in the absence of M. A. Noble from representative cricket. The Selection Committee is similar to th» tof 1909 viz., C. Hill, F. A. Iredale, and P. A. M'Alister. K. L. Hutchings scored 1654 runs at an average of 41.55, P. F. "Warner 1646 at 41.15, D. C. Collins 443 at 40.27, F. A. Tarrant 1425 at 36.55, P. R. Le Couteur 566 at 29.78, C. B. Llewellyn 1232 at 29.33, F. Pearson 1114 at 27.17, A. E. Belf 1296 at 23.56, and J. A. Cuffe 477 at 12.89.

Warwick Armstrong was the only centurion of the first round in Melbourne, and ihe got 133 not out against South Melbourne in flawless style in even time. In his new capacity as ground secretary of the Melbourne C.C., Warwick is in the fortunate po sitonof beng able to get decent practice at this time of year. The Transvaal Union made a gross profit of £4163 from the matches of the M.C.C. English team, out of which it paid £982 to the South African Cricket Association, being 15 per cent, of profits on Transvaal matches, and 25 per cent, of profits on the two test matches, as laid down in the rules of the South African C.A. Mx W. L. Murdoch is still in Melbourne, and looking well, though under doctor's orders for some slight derangement of the heart. The popular " Billy " states that the dearth of bowlers is the one big yell right through the cricket world, and ho properly ascribes it to the elaborate preparation of the wicket in these modern days. The Board of Control has decided that tho sum of £25 per match, as in the«f>ast, shall be paid to each Australian player in the test matches, in addition to railway fares, etc., and 12s per day for hotel expenses. It is very liberal treatment, and showa that the Board of Control is not inclined to underrate the sacrifices made by players in theso great matches. The other afternoon M. A. Noble was esked if he were going to play against the South Africans, and his reply was, " No; thero are lots of young and promising players ooming on." All the f.ame, if. say, the Australians are doing badly in the tests, one would not be surprised if the great player were to come forth and help to " stem the tide of adversity." The South Australian Selection Committee position of being able to get decent practice for the match against Victoria:—Backman, a. C. Campbell, I* W. Chamberlain. N. F. Claxton, J. N-. Crawford. C. E. Dolling, Down. D. R. A. Gohrs, W. A. Beyer, C. Hill. L. R Hill. S. Hill. L. E. Howard, E. R Mavn». Moyle, A. H. Prettv, 11. B. Recs. W. J.'Whitty, and A. Wright. In the opinion of J. H. Broad? who arrived from England early in the weak under engagement to coach the Hawke's Bay cricketers, cricket is at a very low ebb in England at the present time. The youngsters are a very- poor lot from a cricketing standpoint, and the qld ones easily lead. He points out that the deeds of Tlydcsley. Sharp, Butt, Mason,. Jessop, Warner, and others confirm this opinion. Two veteran cricketers who died recently left vastly different estates behind them. Mr William Nicholson, of gin-distilling fame, a good batsman and wicket-keeper in his time, and a prominent supporter of the M.C.C, died at the age of 85 years, leaving £621,145. Sir Lyttelton Holycake Bayk-y, for many years judge of the High Cour? of Bombay, who was captain of the Eton College eleven so long ago as 1841, died at the age of 83 vears, leaving £1225. In the annual report of the Transvaal Cricket Union, the visit of the South African team to Australia is touched upon in the :"o!lowing terms: " After a great deal of correspondence and negotiation with the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket, the South Afrcan Cricket Association has decided to send a team to Australia this season. Your Board has guaranteed to the S.A.C.A. a sum of £2OOO towards the total guarantee of £SOOO required by that body. The quidnuncs were set chattering at JBatli when George Cox %vas given "run out" when "stumped" off a no-ball by E. P. Paul. The umpire who signalled his dismissal, Dench, ' hesitated . not a moment, thcugh both captains questioned the verdict. It w*vs stated on the ground that the M.C.C. had decided that such a verdict was to be given under the circumstances, but by whom tmch an instruction has been issued, or who has received it. does not seem quite clear. The decision is, in our opinion, entirely contrarv to the plain reading of the rules of cricket, and we hold that view m spite of all criticism to the contrary. We hope that the M.C.C. will see the advisability of giving a judgment on a vexed point which has twice arisen this season. Whenever the intricate consequences of new interpretations of the no-ball rule are fullv considered, some regard should be naid to the impossibility of an umpire watching the bowler's foot and action at the same time. If he has hereafter also to determine for what purpose a ball is thrown, and ■whether tho striker has left his ground beforo the delivery of the ball, his task may Vaoome inU>l*TAMa. Ai. the Oval em V?eA-nvs-

day last an. umpire failed to notice thai Huish, when batting to Smith, drew away from the wicket to decline the ball. The fact was obvious to everybody else, including the wicket-keeper and the bowler (though the latter was committed to the delivery), but the umpire, on the ball going to the boundary, signalled a 4. He was probably too intent on the crease to notice anything else.—The Field (August 27, 1910). Everything -appears to point to Australia being represented by a great batting and fielding eide. That is the general .impression, and when you scan the list of leading batsmen in each State, you will agree that it is based on solid ground. But I am far more optimistic regarding the bowling of Australia than most writers on the game, who (remarks " Not Out"), to judge by the comments one reads, are net hopeful. Time will answer this question. Australia will be far better served, in fast bowling than South Africa. And when the teams are pitted against one another one has a feeling that in the matter of variety the Australians will lose nothing in a comparison with the bowlers of South Africa, always provided that the teams be selected with the thoroughness needed for test matches, above all others. Dr L. O. S. Poidevin, writing early last month to the cricket correspondent of the Sydney Referee, referred interestingly to the South Africans: "In. cricket circles Australia is expected to more than hold its own •with ease. However, we may find the visitors a tcjugh lot to beat. Llewellyn may be a great acquisition to their strength, especially with the bat. He is left-handed, as you know, very free in style, and methods, and he puts the bat pretty hard up against the ball every time. Swarthy in appearance and slight in build (though he has filled out a bit lately), he bowls about medium pace, whipping in a faster one now and then, and he has the usual left-hander's swerve (with a new ball). But our men should not find many difficulties in his bowling, unless he' gets a typical lefthander's wicket. He is good ini the field, and very fond of shying at the wicket." OTAGO ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Otago Cricket Association was hold on Thursday evening, and was attended by the president, Mr J. J. Clark (in the chair), Messrs G. Wvcherlcy, T. R. Ritchie, 11. Siedeberg, C. Eyre, A. Restieaux, J. Haig, G. Nelson, W. Kilgour, and C. G. Wikon. A letter was received from the Southland Cricket Association asking if the Otago Association could send a team to Southland next February to play a Southland eleven. It was stated .that the Southed Association had taken a lease of Rugby Park, and had a wicket well under preparation. The Chairman said that the association could not give a definite answer to this application, seeing that the Auckland team would b© in Dumedin at that time. It was decided to inform the Southland Association that as soon as the dates of the Auckland match had been fixed the local association would be able to submit dates on which a match might be arranged with Southland.

The matter of the Grange Club playing a 'man whoso name was on the defaulters' list of the Otago Amateur Athletic Clubs' Protection Association was considered-. Tho Chairman said the rule on the point in dispute was emphatic. He did not sec how they had any option but to disqualify the Grange Club for the match in which it had played the defaulter. It was decided to hear Messrs C-hadwick (captain of the Grange) and the player in question. Mr Chadwick said that the player referred to had told him on 'Saturday before the start of the match with the Dunedin Club that ho had called on Mr Wycherley, of the Dunedin Club, and offered him 15s (half the subscription), which the player said the Dunedin Club had been prepared to accept. Mr Wycherley. however, refused to take Jess than the full amount. He (Mr Chad wick) then took charge of tho 15s. He was under the impression that as the money had been paid over to him for him to give it to the Otago Protection Society, everything was quite in order, and it relieved his club of all responsibility. The defaulting player also gave evidence, and asserted he had not received a second letter calling attention to the fact that he had not paid his subscription, and would be posted as a defaulter. Mr WycherLev said all the letters frcn the Otago Protection Association had been (sent to the player's address at the Bluff. The Dunedin Club did not wish to take any action. It was purely a matter for the Otago Protection Society. Mr Ritchie moved, and Mr Sicdeberg seconded, that the explanation offered by the Grange Club be accepted.—The motion was carried. Tha defaulting player's case was then considered. Mr Ritchie moved that this player be disqualified during the pleasure of the association. —Air Haig seconded the motionj which was agreed to, Mx Restieaux dissenting. The question of the position of the Grange Club was then considered. The Chairman said that the rules of their association said that " no club shall play a suspended plaver under penalty of disqualification." He would move —"That, in view of the fact that the Grange Club played a defaulter, the match Dunedin v. Grange be awarded to the Dunedin Club, the latter club to count a four-point win." —Mr Sicdeberg seconded the motion, and it was carried. It was decided to award the match Mornington v. Garisbrook D to the latter club, Mornington having played J. Clarke, who had not received a transfer from the Dunedin Club. It was stated- that the association had passed a resolution at its meeting last Saturday that Clarke should not be allowed to play for Mornington until ho had secured a transfer, Ciarke, however, had played in the match. Mr Haig stated that when he got up to the ground it was too late to stop Clarke, as the match had already started. The secretary intimated that Clarke had now secured a transfer. A letter was received from the Dunedin Cricket Club embodying a motion from tho club which took exception to the action of the association irr granting a transfer to C. G. Wilson from the Dunedin Club without giving tho Dunedin Club's committee a reasonable opportunity of first considering the said player's application. The motion concluded by assorting that the ruling of tho association was an act of discourtesy to the Dunedin Club. The Chairman said he did not like the claaso charging the association, with discourtesy. Ho doubted whether they could receive the letter so long as that clause was contained in it. He thought it was an unwarranted statement. Mr Ritchie moved that the letter be re-

ceived, and Mr Restieaux seconded the motion. * Mr Siedeberg said the Dunedin Club was to blamo for the position which had arisen. He thought the Dunedin Club had acted very discourteously to Mr Wilson. It had plenty of time to consider his transfer and had not dono so. On being put Mr Ritchie's motion was lost by 5 votes to 4, the chairman voting against the motion. The letter was consequently not received. The Southland Cricket Association wrote informing the council that a man at present playing cricket in Dunedin was indebted to it for the sum of £2, borrowed money. The Southland Association asked the Otago Association to prevent; the player from playing cricket in Dunedin till tho amount had been paid. It was decided to inform the Southland body that the local association could only take action under instructions from the New Zealand Cricket Association. Mr E. S. Wilson, secretary of the Otago Rugby Union, wrote informing the association that tho union was prepared to offer a wicket at Carisbrook for coaching purposes for the sum of £25 f or the season. It was decided to hold over consideration of the matter in the meantime. It was decided to instruct the association's coach, Mr Holland, to visit the various grounds in the evening, to coach players, as a temporary arrangement.

SATURPAY'S MATCHES. FIRST GRADE. Albiox v. Carisbrook A. The Albion-Carisbrook A match was concluded on Saturday, and resulted in a twopoint win for the former. At the commencement of the A's second .strike it koked as though Albion were going to secure a four-pohrt win, Wilson, Barron, Siedeberg, and Godfrey being dismissed in quick succession Watson {who gave an easy catch to squareleg before he had pot into double figures) and Rutherford, however, again came to the resoue of their side, and were at the wickets for the last hour and a-half of play. Albion are not too strong in bowling talent this season, but it is doubtful if the best use was of the bowlers in the team on Saturday." Cumniihgs was bowling well and keeping a good length when he was taken off. Ideal weather prevailed, and the large number of spectators who assembled proves that the game is not on. the wane in the nortn end. The wicket played true, and the outfield wn6 faster than on the preceding day. Rutherford, Watson, and Cameron batted well for the A's, as did Duthie and Cummings for the Albion. Scores: —

Albio.v.—First Innings. Hiddleston, c Siedeberg, b Alloo 70 M'Farlane, st Martin, b Siedeberg ... 75 Williams, c Siedeberg, b Chadwick ... 1 Holland, c Barron, b Chadwick 2 Shepherd, b Alloo *.. 13 Duthie, Ibw, b Godfrey ... 73 Scandrett, b Barron 17 Binney, b Barron ... 4 Wallis, c Godfrey, b Rutherford .-.. ... 1 >Mowat, c Wilson, b Alloo ... ... ... 15 Ouimmings, riot out >, 30 Extras 21 Total 322 Bowling Analysis.—Chadwick: 60 balls, 3 maidens, 22 runs, 2 wickets. Rutherford: 102 balk, 3 maidens, 46 rune, 1 wicket. Barron: 48 balls, 3 maidens, 45 runs, 2 wickete. Godfrey: 72 balls, 3 maidens, 44 runs, 1 wicket. Watson: 30 balls, 1 maiden, 31 runs. Alloo: 83 balls, 1 maiden. 65 runs, 3 wickets. Carisbeook A. First Innings ... 173 Second Innings. Wilson, c Scandrett, b Cummings ... 12 Barron, b Cummings 9 Siedeberg, c Scandrett, b Holland ... 5 Godfrey, b Cummings 0 Watson, not out , 74 Rutherford, b Wallis „.. -.,. „. ... 60 Cameron, not out % -•.. ... 16 Extras 15 Total for five wickets 191 Bowling Analysis.—Holland: 54 overs, 2 maidens, 20 runs, 1 wicket. Cummings: 103 balls, 5 maidens, 42 runs, 3 wickets. Hiddleston: 24 overs, 1 maiden, 30 runs. M'Farlane: 36 balls, ,no maidens, 31 rune. Wallis: 24 balls, 1 maiden, 18 runs, 1 wicket. Dutbio: 24 balls, no maidens, 25 runs. Opoho v. Carisbhook B. This match was resumed on the Opoho Ground. On the previous Saturday Opoho had amassed 240 runs, and Carisbrook had two wickete down for 13 runs. Continuing their innings. Garisbrcok were all out for 123 runs, H. Watson (43) and J. Drumm (31) being top scorers. The other scores were: —Hopkins 1, Ramsden 3, Alloo 7, Bannorman 12, Fenwick 0, Johnston 0, Harraway 7, Lomas 5, Andrews 2 (not out); extras 12. Eckhoff secured four wickets for 39 runs, Casey two for 37, and Callaway four for 35. Going in again, Carisbrook played out time, hitting up 150 runs for tho loss of four wickets. Bannerman was top scorer with 47' (not out), and was closely followed by Dnimm with 45 (not out). Alloo was next highest scorer with 16, Hopkins 4, Rnmsden 14, H. Watson 12; extras 12. Eckhoff, Callaway, M'Gavin, and Casey each secured one vicket, Callaway's average reading the best —one for 16. Opoho thus secured a twopoint win. Grange v. Dunedin. ( As a result of the disqualification of the Orange team bv the Cricket Association at its meeting on Friday night, for the Grange Eleven playing a man who was on the defaulters' list of the Otago Amateur Athle-tic Clubs' Protection Association in tho match against the Dunedin Cub, this fixture was not gone on with on Saturday. On the previous Saturday Grange batted first and made 133, Dunedin bavin ar seven wickets down for 101 runs at the "close of the. day's play. Wo understand the Grange team is holding a meeting to-night to consider whether it will enter a protest against its disqualification. SECOND GRADE. St. Kilda, having nine wickets down' for 140 in their match against Dunedin C on the previous Saturday, were not disposed of until 200 runs had been reached, J. Douglas (2S) and H. Ward (52 not out) bringing up the total as above. Duncdin's second innings closed for 77. Collie batting 'well for 43 not out. Sanderson (12) and Perry (11) were tho only others to obtain double figures. St. Kilda, wanting 1 run to win, ; obtained the same without the loss j of a wicket, winning by, 10 wickets and i

3 runs. M'Farlane bowled well for St. Kilda and Wyoherley for Dunedin. Continuing their match with Dunedin B en the North Ground, Albion complotecV their innings with 111 runs, thus giving Dunedin 153 to get. Dunedin in their second venture obtained 93 (Johnston 18, Tweedy 12, Symons 14- Rodge 13), leaving Albion victors by 60 runs. For the winners Davis (four), Worrall (two), Binney (two), and Marks (two) secured the wickets, while Fannon, who took eight wickets, bowled well for Dunedin. THIRD GRADE. In the match Carisbrook F v. Dunedin the former roadie 104 runs (J. F. Walootfc 25, Jack 19, Blackwood 17, Lomas 14, M'Neill 11). Blackwood took four wickets for 25 runs, M'Neill three for 16, Cameron two for 25, and White one for 15. Dunedin compiled 71 runs {Torrance 25, Smart 18). The bowling honours for Dunedin were divided between Torrance, Smart, and Courtis. Carisbrook E defeated Christian Brothers' Bby 183 runs to 99. Swinney (73 not out), Coventry (32) ; Bannerman (18), Steeds (13), and Fulton (13) batted well for Carisbrook. ajs did Ryan (24) and Marks (13) for Chris tian Brothers. The cricket match between High School and Anderson's Bay resulted in a win for the Bay team by 20 .runs. High School batter first, and put on 70 runs, of which G. Reid made 21 and Kemnitz 15. Anderson's Bay responded with 90 runs, N. Cameron being top scorer with 30, and il. Kirkwood 14 For the School G. Reid and Nicholson were the most successful bowlers, and for the winners Kirkwood captured four wickets for 7 runs. St. Kilda, playing Albion No. 2 on tho Asvlum No. 2 Ground, made 96. J. M'Faul (35). A. Fyffe (26). L. Edwards (11) reaching double figures. Albion replied with 50, Grigg (12) being: the only player to reach double figures. Beadle, for Albion, bowled well, getting four wickets and performing tho "hat trick." Miller (five for 16) and Wyatt (two for .7) bowled well for St. Kilda. Grange defeated Mornington by 37 runs. Grange, batting first, made 90; Bell (31) and Dunkley (21) played in good style for their runs. Mornington replied with 53. The fine bowling of W. Holdaway (five wickets for 16) was very successful for the Grange, while Haig bowled best for Mornington.

MATCHES ELSEWHERE. AUCKLAND, October 30. The second round of the Auckland Cricket Association's matches was commenced yesterday in perfect weather. In the Senior Grade, University made 163 against Grafton (Wallace 64, W. A. Gray 25 not out). Shaddock took five wickets 28 runs. Grafton made 50 for no wicketsi (Honspool, 32 not out). Eden made 267 against Ponsoriby in the first inningis (Hemus 81, L. Taylor 64). Cheshire, took four wickete for 31 runs. Parnell made 176 against North Shore (OllifT 54 not out, Andreae 40). Nortih Shore in their first innings made 92 for no wickets (Dr Howden 68 not out). WELLINGTON, October 30. The senior cricket matches were continued yesterday in fine weather, the second round being concluded. Central A were beaten by North on the first innings. Scores: Central A—first innings 143 .(Blamircs retired 40, Hawthorne not out 23); North —first innings 156, second innings 100 for six wickets (Blaoklock 24). East A had an easy four-point win against Central B. East A—first innings 153 (Mahoney 54, Midlane 29, Tucker not out 24); second innings, 47 for two wickets (Midlane not out 30). Central B—first iirnins, 47; second innings, 151 (Wilkinson 43, Sephenson 28). Victoria College, having the assistance of Saunders, professional coach, had an easy; one-innings win over East B. Scores: Victoria College—first innings*, 210; second innings, 61 for six wickets. East B—first inning's, 135 (Orombie 63, M'Kay 27). Saunders took two wickets for 47 run. South defeated .Hutb on the first innings. Scores: innings, 107; second innings, 69 for eight wickets. Hutt —first innings, 57 (Gutihrio 20), Grace" 31). CHRISTCHURCH, October 29. Tho senior teams against whom big 6cores veto put up last Saturday failed to respond to-day. West Christchurch, playing against St. Albans, was dismissed twice in two hours for 51 and 72. Linwood only scored 97 against Riccarton (seven wickete for 362 runs), and, following on, made 165. Sydenham's bowling proved' too strong for East Christchurch, who were dismissed for 90 in their first innings, and last five wickets for 82 in the second. St. Albans beat West Christchurch by an innings and 220 runs, Riccartorr beat Linwood by 265 on the first innings, and Sydenham beat East Christchurch by 264 on the first minings. For Sydenham Sandman was in great form with the ball, and good judges consider he is the best bowler Canterbury has ever turned out.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA v. VICTORIA. ADELAIDE, October 29. The cricket match between Victoria and i South Australia was commenced to-day. j Victoria were disposed of for 111 runs in their first innings, Armstrong (35). Hazlctt ! (30), and Laver (19) being the chief scorers. I Whitty captured four wickets for 41 and ' J. N. Crawford five for 42. South Australia ; have lost eight wickets for 135 runs. Rces i (16), C. Hill (26), Chamberlain (24), and I Crawford (31 not out) being the chief contributors. THE SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM. ADELAIDE, October 27. The South African cricketers arrived in ! excellent health, and are keen to begin • the tour. They were welcomed by Mr Brickett on behalf of the South Austra- ( lian Cricket Association. Sherwell, the ; captain, in replying, said that with the I tingle exception of Gordon White the ; team was fully representative nnd the I best that had ever left Sotith Africa. October 28. Sherwell, captain of the South Africans, speaking at the reception to the team, said it was right that the triI angular matches should start in England, i They would be on neutral ground then I (in 1912), when South Africa intended "to beat Australia or to die in tho attempt." i Besides the players whose names have : been cabled the South African team inj eludes Hathorn, who is described as a

fine bat. Tlio visitors are hard at work practising. The captain is confident regarding the team's batting powers, but he says the bowling is something of an experiment until it is found out what the men are ablai to do on Australian wickets. It is a mistake to think that all the bowlers are " googlie" bowlers. October 29. The South Africans created a favourable impression. Their batting was resolute and bright, and their bowling showed thatf the team possess a strong variety of attack. JOHANNESBURG, October 28. _ The Transvaal Cricket Association is considering the question of sending outi another cricketer besides Jf. H. Sinclair. SOUTH AUSTRALIA v. VICTORIA. ADELAIDE, October 31. ■ The cricket match between South Aue* traJia and' Victoria was continued to-day. In their first innings the homo team made 220 (Crawford, 79 not out, and Gehrs 36). Layer took three wickets for 69, Hazlitt three for 74, Armstrong two for 31, and; Kenny two for 39. Victoria have lost twe wickets for 168 in their second inningt (Warne 18, Smith' 96, Ransford 38 not out and Armstrong 12 not out).