Comments on Passing Events.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 2002, 8 December 1886, Page 2

Comments on Passing Events.

Wblunoton, Dec ti,

The Brkevolest Bocll f v ’ 1U a " St to. 8e.0T.1«.t ttxw'Tb.JtP Uli alone no less a ,am i. r ooened year to 39 people. This has so L—mfing their eyes that they contemplate cottages for the Bowety, M _ cheaper in the end to build ***** >a rent for those in distress. There ee«M me to be something radically wrtmg system adopted to alleviate the ththose in distress. I quite agree with tne idea that charitable aid should be extendeu to those who are unfortunate to need it: pn* at the same time there are many receiving charitable aid who are able, and perhaps, willing te work-in fact, dozens of oasea might be relieved without the Benevolent Society being at a loss at all. 1 mi « bt l “* stance a case which was related to ms some time ago in which a poor woman was m need of assistance, but who was **** to work. The case came under the notice of a rich coal merchant in this city wne upon he handed her, as a loan, a sum sumcient to buy a sewing machine; m » months she brought the amount «o J®having earned the amount over and anew her living, in consequence of being piaceu a position to do so. The gentleman-a gentleman in the true acceptance ot in term—was so pleased with her action thas he Landed her the money back again as a gift, and with the amount the woman sianoa in basin ess. There are many similar oases when people only require to be placed m poe» session of the means of earning a living, ana who would scorn the idea of charity if something of a like character to the above was done lor them. As I have said before there are oases , where (charitable aid is absolutely necessary, the distress being of that character which would not admit of any kind of wore being performed. I would throw out this suggestion that sowing machines, mangles, &c., might be given by the Society to those people who are able to work to be paid for u possible. I would also point out that instead of so much of this stonebreaking, which u given to men totally unable to make a living out of it, and the building of cottages, something of a more practical character might be done and more beneficial to the state. It u well known and generally acknowledged that out towns are over populated in proportion to the country—that we want people to leave the towns and settle on land in the country. Supposing half this £6OO was takeh to pay interest on land bought in the country it would mean interest on about £4,000 and that instead of 40 people being kept on charity in the town, 20 of them were sent into the country, something practical would be the result. £4OOO means twenty 10-acre sections with cottage, Ac., on each. If something of this kind was done these people might be placed in a position to buy land of their own and become permanent settlers. The above is merely thrown out as an idea which may be carried out in a variety of ways.

The Avsibalun Ceicketkrs. It was a matter of discussion some lew jears ago as to whether it would not be advisable to take an eleven from Mew Zealand to visit England. All those who bad any knowledge of the New Zealand cricketers laughed at the idea. Now that the Australians have played in the principal centres, with the exception of Auckland, actually with nine meu, a very good idea is obtained of the standard of perfection at which out cricketers have arrived. The Otago match was a very hollow affair—nine men beating the twenty two with the greatest ease. In Christchurch a better stand was made, bat still there was something very unsatisfactory about the match, which would foster the belief that the Australians were off colour coming such a long sea voyage, or that they were not playing their best. At all events the score of 178 and 139 for eighteen men is nothing to talk about; it means an average el about 9 runs per man in eaoh innings, whereas the Australian average against the best bowling of England is just about double that number of runs, to that at batsman the best New Zealand team against the visitors have proved themselves only half as good with the bat. The Wellington match was perhaps as great a farce as any one could wish to see. On the first day when the Australians were in the field, these was something to be seen in the way of fielding occasionally, but it was seldom the visitors exerted themselves ; it was also a pretty ■W l * to see Jarvis take off the bails almost like a flash of lightning whenever there was a chance for stamping; beyond this the Aas« tralians took matters very easy. The second day was very monotonous indeed. Palmer and Jones played very carefully for about a couple of hours, but after tiring out all the bowlers they began to look upon the bowling as a joke— not sent to put them out, but foe them to hit at as they thought proper. These two batsmen indulged in a good laugh occasionally, and played in a very careless manner, and consequently gave several hard chances. It was nearly four hoars before Palmer’s bails were removed. The Governor stopped about half an hour and then took his departure. The general public were highly disgusted and passed such remarks as these “ Oh, these two have arranged to stop in all the afternoon; the rest of the team have gone for a drive into the country,” “ I wish I had stopped at home, as a shilling is too much to see the Wellington leather hunting.” I think it may safely be assumed that had there only been eleven in the field 1000 runs would have been run up, bat on account of the field dosens of singles were only obtained which would have counted as twos or threes and fours. The bowler who put out Palmer, after staying in four hours, is now called, in a jocular manner, “ the demon bowler.” It is to be hoped that the New Zealand cricketers will profit by the visit of the Australian team and improve their bowling, as that branch of the game seems mors deficient than the batting. I think the Association made a mistake in not obtaining the services of Judd and Butherford, as Wellington was most exceptionally deficient in bowling. CobOKUL.