ARRIVAL OF THE ALL-ENGLAND ELEVEN.

Wellington Independent, Volume VI, Issue 1694, 24 January 1862, Page 5

ARRIVAL OF THE ALL-ENGLAND ELEVEN.

{Abridged from the Melbourne Argus, Dec. 26.)

The Great Britain, as she lay quietly at anchor in the bay on Tuesday morning, was the central point of attraction to which all eyes were turned. Car after car brought dowu the sigbt-seers from Melbourne, all anxious to get the first glimpse of the eleven champions to whose hands England had committed the honour of maintaining the prestige of her prowess in our great national game. Not only interest, but importance, was felt to attach to the fact that H.H. Stepbenson and his plucky companions had actually sailed 16,000 miles over the ocean to play a game of cricket ; and there was, too, out of this very circumstance, a cordial desire to have a look at them, and a longing to grasp them heartily by the hand, as "friends, countrymen, and lovers;" Their welcome was intended to be a good one, and the cheers that subsequently gave it told of a feeling of intense satisfaction at seeing them. Queenscliff had already, had the opportunity all Melbourne was waiting for, and had sent tho leading 1 members of its cricket club on board the ship as early as three o'clock in the morning, to present the Eleven with an address, properly engrossed on parchment The compliment was duly acknowledged by Stephenson ; and it is decided that the documeut is to be framed and glazed, as a memorial. Meanwhile the Eleven were quite as anxious to get to Melbourne as Melbourne was to have them in safe keeping, and the attractions of a ccharm r pagne breakfast on board were secoudary to those of the distant city, whose roofs and steeples soon after began to glimmer iv the morning haze. Sandridge was all on the gui vive, and at Garton's Hotel a double arch of flags waived gaily in the wind. The ships in the bay were dressed in holiday trim, and people waited patiently for the arrival of the committee from Melbourne. Messrs. Bevan and Co., and Messrs. Robertson, Britton, and Co., kindly provided an eight-horse coaob, all the horses being grey — and Messrs. Hoyt and Co., with the same spirit of liberality, furnished a coach and four grey horses. The committee having arranged all preliminaries with that simplicity and despatch so characteristic of committees on great occasions and having comfortably eusconced itself, with becoming dignity, in a four-horse coach, into which, by the way, the representatives of the press enutrived to effect a prompt but amicable entrance, drove off from the Cafe de Paris a little after ten o'clock, and soon reached Sandridge. From Garton's to the Lioness — Mr. Thockmorton's convenient little steamer—was but a short distance, and from the pier to the ship was a run of a few miles more. Under the side the Eleven were easily discerned on the after deck, amidst the crowd of passengers who thronged the vessel ; aud presently Mr. Rusden, Mr, D. S. Campbell, Captain Devlin, aud other gentlemen, followed by all who had received tickets from Messrs. Spiers and Pond, and these gentlemen themselves, mounted the side, and the meeting was accomplished. We fully agree with an opinion already made public that, judging from appearances, a better team could not have been found to truly represent the mother country. From H H. Stephenson himself, whose whole manner and bearing are an instantaneous passport to the good will of all who meet him, to the last of the Eleven, whoever that may be, a more hearty-looking set of men their could not be. They are genuine English cricketers, and what better or more flattering could be said of them ? A little circle uear the mizen mast was speedily formed, and Mr. Rusdeu, who had been deputed by the committee to represent it, lost no time in discharging his pleasing duty, and, with an ease and absence of ceremony that put everything at once in its right place, delivered au address of welcome.

After the cheeiing had ceased. Mr. Stepbenscm said, — "On behalf of the Eleven about to represent England in the cricket field, I beg to return you my thanks for your kind reception this day. It is not expected, being a cricketer, that [ should make a long speecb ; but 1 hope we shall prove worthy of your kindness by showing some good oricket, aud by giving you a jolly good licking. (Cheers and laughter.) Yes, by licking you. I will not detain you, but again return you my thanks for your kind reception of myself and companions'." (Cheers.) ! All then went ashore in high glee, and the Eleven, after partaking of the hospitalities provided for them, went to the Piazza Hotel, where they will remain as the guests of Messrs. Spiers and Pond.

■ During the afternoon they strolled to the Melbourne Ground, where the match was being continued between the United Eleven and the County of Bourke. They expressed great satisfaction at the appearance of the turf, and sundry remarks were made which proved that not only the preparations, but the play of their antagonists were pleasing to the Eleven. After the sunups were drawn, the visitors went for h.-ili-.tu-hour's "skylarking," the attractions of English grass appeared irresistible to them. They seemed perfectly at. home ami perhaps the most amusing part of the afternoon's programme on the Melbourne ground was watching them "play" for the first time oii colonial ground. After returning to the Piazza, and whilst dining, the Eleven were visited by the Hon. Mr. Fawkner who — the oldest colonist and resident in Port Philip— was the first to make a special call for the purpose of welcoming them. A greater mark of respect could not have been paid to them; and upon ascertaining who their visitor was, the Eleven expressed their sense of the compliment in a thorough cricketing manner. Mr. Fawkner expressed his pleasure at meeting them in Victoria, aud said, that, although he hoped they would win, he would like to see a closely contested match. The Melbourne aud Suburban Railway company have set an example, which it is to be hoped, other companies will fellow; they have presented free passes to the Eleven. Yesterday evening the Eleven celebrated their Christmas Day by dining at the Cafe. There were about twenty visitors, and as usual, the dinner was recherche- The proceedings were of a festive Christmas character, with the exception of the formal toasts of the health of Mr. Burrup of England, Mr. Henry Marshall of Suriey^ and Mr. Mallam, the Agent of Messrs. Spiers and Pond. We may mention thatMr. N. Fraser was the bearer of a congratulatory address to the Eleven from, the cricketers in the western districts. The Richmond ground has been placed at their disposal, for the purpose of pracr Using, and there is little doubt but that they will visit it to-day, after witnessing the Caledoniau sports. L

The All-England Eleven visited St. Kilda yesterday, for the purpose of practising upon the cricket-ground of that place. Throughout the day numerous inquiries were made as to the cause of the Eleven not practising on the Richmond ground, which had been specially set apart for them; but so great was the incouvenience experienced by them on the previous day, owing to the crowd not allowing them sufficient space for play, that they preferred the mora quiet suburb of St. Kilda. The colonial piayers devoted a large portiou of yesterday to practice, and selected a portion ofthe Melbourne ground^ for the purpose. Bryant and Couway bowled very well, and the play generally proved that the twenty-two do not iutend to be beaten easily. To-day, there will be a muster on the Richmond ground of those from whom the colonial team will be selected, and there will; be a good opportunity afforded of judging of the merits of the several players. The names of the men are as follow: — Bryant, Marshall, Macs, Costick, Sweedey, Huddlestou, Elliott, Hopkinson, Rennie, Brodie, Boake, Handfield, Makinaon, Hamilton, Couway Stewart, Wardill, Wray, Butterworth, Lister, Merres, Blanchard, O'Mullane, Mortimer, and Hope

A meeting of the All-England Match Committee was held at the Cricketers' Hotel yesterday afternoon, the Hon. G. Coppiu in the chair. The principal topic of discussion was the much-vexed question, whether the committee should accede de to the wish expressed by the English Eleven, and play only eighteen men, or whether they should abide by a resolution carrie'i a few weeks ago, and insist upon being represented by twenty-two. Mr. H. H. Stephenson; the English captain, was present (at the request of the secre tary, Mr. Hall), and his presence, no doubt, had some influence with the committee when they agreed that the team should be reduced in number from twentytwo to eighteen. Soon after the motion was carried, about five members of the committee arrived, and expressed so much dissatisfaction with the decision, that it was arranged that a meeting be held at twelve o' clock this day to reconsider the whole matter. — Ibid, Deo, 28.