HAMPDEN.

Waipawa Mail, Volume I, Issue 16, 6 November 1878, Page 3

HAMPDEN.

(from our own correspondent.) November 4, 1878. The lives of Miltiades, Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, Wellington, and Napoleon supply instances of achievements which decided the fate of nations, and which had in them the germs of other great events stretching far into the future in connection with the principal struggles which changed the course and complexion of human history. Startling announcements have occasionally been made to the world. Some philosophers are of opinion that news calculated to take the world by surprize ought not to be too abruptly divulged. Others hold that on all such occasions word ought to be sent to the medical faculty to be ready with restoratives under the nose of Christendom in case of a sudden shock to the system. My sympathies are entirely with the latter view on account of its humane tendencies and its precautionary utility. With this preamble I may proceed to relate the facts aiound which the interest of my narrative centres. Be it known then that on November 2nd, representatives from the Waipawa and the Hampden Cricket Clubs met in the field adjoining the Sawyer’s Arms Hotel to test their relative skill in the noble art of cricket. The former was under the command of Captain O’Connor and the latter under Captain Craven. Waipawa having won the toss, sent in Hampden. The only feature in the innings being the batting of Mr Craven, who put together 26 in fine style. Notwithstanding that several of the men were singularly unfortunate at the start, they scored well before they were disposed of. The Waipawa team in their first innings displayed considerable agility, but owing to several misfortunes and general had luck, they failed to score up to their opponents. During the second innings on both sides the contest became warm, and for a time towards the close of the game it appeared doubtful which side would win, or whether it would end in a draw. The result, however, was that the Hampden men won with 19 runs to spare. A considerable number of spectators were on the ground. They evinced the keenest interest in the progress and the result of the match. The game being over, both teams accompanied by many of the spectators, retired to the hotel where an excellent dinner provided by the hostess awaited them. The cravings of the inner man having been fully satisfied, Mr Craven, who acted as chairman, gave the usual national and patriotic toasts, which were responded to as becoming orderly and loyal subjects. He then proposed the health of the “Waipawa Team,” coupled with the name of Mr O’Connor. He further said that whilst he cherished the warmest and most brotherly feeling towards the team they encountered in the field that day, it would be sheer dissimulation in him to say that he was not proud and pleased with the result of the match. Any feelings of complacancy, however, which he might entertain were not to be attributed to the glory attaching to victory, but merely to the fact that victory in the maiden game would encourage his men to practise and learn more of the noble sport. He trusted that the warmest relation would always exist between the clubs, and that the Hampden men would soon have the pleasure to play them (the Waipawa team) on their own ground. Mr O’Connor, who acted as vice-chair-man, responded. He said that if, according to the very happy remarks of the chairman, victory was as timuhmt to perseverance and practise, defeat, when it could he applied to men whose “ limbs Were made in England," ought to be productive of the same effect, and he had no doubt but such would be the result of the little but by no means disagreeable surprise which he and his men got that day (hear, hear), lie hoped that when the tide of fortune would turn in their favor—a thing which was sure soon to happen (laughter) —that they would enjoy victory with as much moderation as their rivals showed on that occasion. He sympathised with the view expressed by the chairman as to the desirability of frequent matches and friendly intercourse between the clubs. He ended bv proposing the health of the Hampden club. Mr Craven, who replied, thanked the Waipawa team for the generous manner in which they overlooked the discrepancies occurring during the time the match was being played. Mr Burcharn proposed the health of the highest scorers, coupled with the name of Mr New ton. He complimented Mr Newton on his successful bowding. Mr Newton said in reply t at there were other gentlemen in the field who could claim fully as large a share in the victory as he could. Mr Inglis said that it was customary when men were tried as to their relative skill in anything, ro say a few sympathetic

words on behalf of the unsuccessful candidates. He thought that public opinion in regard to contests of all kinds oscillated from one extreme to another. Honors and applause were heaped upon the successful, whilst the defeated were looked upon as good for nothing. There was “ flukes'’ in everything, and particularly in cricket. His own experience as a cricketer (though by no means willing to acknowledge fraternity on all occasions with the losing side) (laughter) led him to look upon defeat in many of the contests in which men enjoyed as arising from casualties which often occurred and prevented men from showing what was really in them. There were casualties incidental to cricket which sometimes told with sinister effect on one side; at other times with destructive effect against a few men on both sides. Mr Burcharn proposed the ladies. The toast as usual was respon led to with animation. Mr Craven proposed the Press. Mr O’Connor replied, and on behalf of the Waipawa Mail, and promised an open column for all matters of public interest, provided always that communications were within the legitimate rule of journalism. Since he was not the man at the helm, he did not speak “ex cathedra.” He did not hesitate to say, however, that the Mail would prove a great boon to the inland counties. Mr Bircham proposed the health of our host and hostess. He warmly complimented them on their success in catering for the wants and comfort of the public. Mr Craven, who replied on their behalf, stated that Mr Ingram did more for the club than could in all reason be expected of him. Messrs Pemberton, Spiers, and Huff sang at intervals. The National Anthem being sung, the Waipawa men took their eparture in the midst of loud cheering and hurrahs. The following are the scores : Hampden, first innings.

Craven, not out 26 Fritchley, b Cooke 0 Itoe, b Cooke ... 3 Bure ham, b O’Connor... 0 Newton, c O’Connor, b Cooke 4 Dillon, hit wicket, b Cooke ... 0 J. Baker, b Cooke Stanley, hit wicket, b Cooke ... 4 Covney, stumped O’Connor ... 0 Ilall, b Cooke ... 2 W. Baker, b Cooke 4 Byes 0 Wides 2 Total 59 SECOND INNINGS. Craven, b Cooke Fritchley, c Inglis, b O'Connor Roe, c Ing-lis, b Cooke 1 1 4 Burcham, run out 0 Newton, b Connor 4 Dillon, c Grenside, b O’Connor 3 J. Baker, b Cooke 13 Stanley, c Garnhain, b O’Connor 0 Covnev, not out 4 Hall, b Cooke 0 \V. Baker, run out Bye 1 Wides 3 Total... 39 Waipawa. First Innings. Collett, c Newton, b Baker ... 0 Huff, b Baker Nicholls, b Newton «•> O'Connor, b Newton ... 7 Grenside, b Baker i) Cooke, run out Harwood, b Newton ... 1 Inglis, run out 0 Garnham, not out 0 Stanley, b Newton 3 Abrahams, b Newton ... 0 Byes 5 Leg byes 2 Wide 1 Total 34 SECOND INNINGS. Collett, b Baker 1 Grenside, run out 3 Garnham, run out 3 Harwood, b Newton ... 0 Huff, b Newton 0 O’Connor, c Tritchley, b Newton 0 Cooke, not out 12 Nicholls, c Dillon, b Baker ... ' 1 Inglis, run out 0 Stanley, b Newton Abrahams, b Baker 4 Byes Wides 9 Total 45