THE CRICKET MATCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5734, 30 November 1896, Page 2

THE CRICKET MATCH.

The match which closed on Saturday is an important landmark in our cricket history. If the visit of the Aiistralians has done nothing else, it has shown that the idea that a cricket match is generally considered a " slow "and uninteresting affair has no foundation. On each of the three days on which the visitors played here the attendance was remarkably good, particularly on Friday, when between five and six thousand people were on the ground. This is proof enough that cricket in New Zealand is neither dead nor moribund, but that it can still draw a crowd which, in proportion to the difference in population, compares more than favourably with the twenty or thirty thousand spectators at an Australia-All England match at Lords. Hitherto we have been accustomed to see a football match draw its thousands, and a cricket match its hundreds, and the reverse side of the picture, as seen on Friday, is very pleasing. As far as the result of the match is concerned it must, on the whole, be considered satisfactory. Eather extravagant expectations had been entertained as to the prospects of the home team, and a number of people were, no doubt, of opinion that the finish would be closer or that the New Zealanders would win .outright. These were, of course, disappointed, bxtt the mote moderate party nwt feel well pleased that the difference at the finish was five wickets only. In certain quarters it has been bruited about pretty freely that the Australians were not particularly anxious that the match should be one-sided, and that they were, in fact, only playing with the local men. It is jiist possible that when the Australian captain went on to bowl late on Friday afternoon he may have remembered that the fall of many wickets would have meant an uninteresting outlook for the next day. Whether this was so or not, there can be no question that the Australians were at every other stage of the game doing their utmost. Under these circumstances the display made by the New Zealanders was quite creditable. It improved considerably as the game went on, and on Saturday's form the local men were superior to the visitors. The batting shown by Williams, Cuff, Clarke, De Maus and one or two others must have convinced the Australians that there are batsmen in New Zealand who with a few more opportunities would be entitled to be called first-class. Their experience of Downes and Fisher must also have given them a good opinion of New Zealand bowling. It is certain that the good attendances and the amount of local talent shown will encourage teams to visit this colony more often in the f utxu-e than they have clone in the past. Arrest. — Information has been received that a man, who is suspected of being concerned in several robberies, and for whom n. warrant was issued, liere, lias been 'arrested in Dunedin, charged with being an incorrigible rogue and vagabond. He will be brought up by to-day's express, and will appear aj; the Magistrate's Court tomorrow. COMPLI3IENTARY CONCERT. — There will bo a full rehearsal this evening at a quarter to eight, in the Wesleyan schoolroom, Durham Street, in preparation for The Messiah, which is to be given next week in the Opera House, when it is expected that two hundred and fifty representatives of the Liedertaf el, Liederkranzchen, Miisical Union and Motett Societies, with others, will be present. The oratorio will be conducted by Mr Wells, and a full orchestra will be led by Mr F. M. Wallace. Presentations. — After the performance of the operetta Life at Sea by St Luke's choir on Friday, the boys taking part made a j>resentation to Miss C. Lingard in recognition of her valuable services in the capacity of instructress and accompanist. The presentation, which was made . by Master Arthur Aherne, took the form of a lady's very handsome xylonite and plush dressing-case bearing an appropriate^ inscription. — On Friday last the employes at Messrs Maine Bros/ boot manufactory met in the machine-room in order to make the presentation of a clock and vase to Mr J. T. Maine on the occasion of his approaching marriage. The presentation was n.ade by Mr Chitty on behalf of the employes. The toast of Mr J. T. Maine and the future Mrs J. T. Maine was honoured, and suitably responded to by Sir J. T. Maine.