WELLLINGTON CRIKET CLUB.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1730, 3 June 1862, Page 5

WELLLINGTON CRIKET CLUB.

The first annual dinner of the above Club took place at Barretts' Hotel, on Saturday evening, May 31st. The spacious ioom, when lighted up, presented au elegant and chaste appearance. At 6 o'clock precisely the members, several friends and invited guests, numbering nearly forty, sat down to a banquet, which would have pleased the most fastidious epicure. Mr. Laing, with his usual good taste, having provided an abundance of the good cheer suitable for the occasion. The President of the Club, G. Moore, Esq., presided, the cloth having been removed, prior to which ample justice had been done to the good cheer, the business of the evening commenced to which an additional interest had been added by the ppasenting a bat to A. L. Patton, Esq , of the 14th Eegt., who has been a very active member, and now on the eve of leaving for Auckland. Much regret was expressed by the unexpected and unavoidable absence of that gentleman. The Chairman in introducing the usual loyal toast, referred, with refinement of feeling and taste, to the bereavement which had plunged the Royal Household, and the whole of the Empire i.ito profound grief, he trusted the giver of all good would [implant such love in the Royal family, that the holy affections of her sons and daughters would prove a heartfelt solace to our widowed Queen, the toast was received, as ever Englishman will receive it, with a tumult of applause. Mr. Marriott, being loudly called upon, sang "God Save the Queen" all present joining beartily in the chorus. The next toast from &c chair was introduced with much pathos in taking a rapid review of the usefulness and kindliness of heart of the lost one, whose abilities had been so glowingly described, some few days since, in the Odd Fellows' Hall, by His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston. He would couclude his remarks by repeating the words so eloquently introduced on that occasion fey giving ''Albert the Good." The toast was drank in solemn silence. The next toast, the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family, most glowingly introduced by the Chairman, was warmly responded to. Song " Since we were boys together," sung with good taste by Mr. Ladd*. The toast " The Army and Navy," was received with thunders of applause, Sergeant Murphy, of the 14th Regt., warmly responded on behalf of his brothers in arms, who would never shrink from any deed of daring whereever and whenever the empire required their services. The reply of the bray© Sergeant was warmly received. Song "the Admirals of England," by Mr. J. H. Marriott The Chairman in introducing the next toast, congratulated his fel'ow colonists with the happy return to New Zealand of our present Governor. He bad arrived here some years since when the colony was in ibe most prostrate condition, and by his untiring 1 energy soon I released us from our difficulties; his great ability had been recognised in high places and when disturbances of a most formidable character recurred at the Cape of Good Hope, he was the chosen one selected for that difficulty, and well did he fulfil his mission. Order, peace, and happiness, (where nought but fearful riot and disorder had before reigned) was the result of his wise measures, and when dangers of the most fearful appearance had again assailed us, when the indomitable energies of his fellow colonists were almost failing them, the wisdom of the Home Government was again manifested in our favor by restoring to us the only man who could remove our difficulties. • He was confident all that man could, do would be done by our Governoi, and that a lasting good would be the result of his untiring energies, he would therefore give " Our good Governor Sir George Grey," the applause lasted several minutes. Song " Red, White, and Blue," by a gentleman. Song "The Convent Cell" by Mr. Holmes. Mr. Tagg, the Vice President, introduced the next toast. He observed it was needless to expatiate upon the usefulness of cricket, it had now become a time honoured game, it had been remarked in another place, where gentlemen do congregate to talk, that the introduction of pheasants would be an enobling sport, that Lord Cardigan in his celebrated charge at Balaclava, he had been compelled to tint act of daring by his skill as a slayer of pheasants ; he doubted much the truth of that assertion, he contended that cricket would qualify a man for the several duties of the soldier and sailor rather tban the shooting of pheasants, the gav e gare quickness to the eye, strength to the arms, and quickness to the legs, he did not mean quickness to run away from the enemies, (laughter,) but to run after them and so secure victory. He congratulated the members on the progress they had made since the formation of the club; he was glad to see a member of the Auckland Club, he proposed the " Wellington Cricket Club" coupling Mr. Barnard with the toast. (Applause.) Song " Gentle Annie," by Mr. Swan. Mr. Bernard acknowledged the compliment, and begged to assure them he | bad ceased to b aaember of the Auckland j

Club, and with their permission would be glad j to join the Welliugtonians ; he concluded by proposing the Chairman, which was received with acclamation. Song " Ben Bolt," by Mr Waters. The Chairman returned thanks, and trusted, however we might differ in other things, all would agree in promoting the manly game of 'cricket; he trusted his younger friends would pursue it with avidity and trusted ere ha retired from the office of President, he should as such meet the Auckland Club, and would feel proud if we could lick them, (cheers) he iispd the words in the most friendly spirit. He had every reason to believe the Government would very shortly place at their disposal a piece of ground whereon they could pursue their sport with more advantage than hitherto. He assured them while health and strength were spared him, he would be always most forward in promoting the interests of the club (applause). Mr. Bromley being called upon, regretted the toast and matter in hand had not been placed in more efficient bands; he regretted in common with all around the absence of Mr. Pat ton, that gallant officer had ever been a waim supportei of the game, the members had appreciated his worth by tbe presentation of the bat which he held in his band, and as that gentleman was about leaving us a more fitting moments of his usefulness could not have been conceived. In placing it in the hands of the Vice President he trusted he would be pleased to convey to Mr. Patton the ardent wishes of the members for his futue welfare. The Bat was then delivered in due form, it is of English manufacture, a large silver plate is inserted, with the following inscription } engraved thereon, — Presented to A. L. Patton Esq., of H. M. 14th Regt., by the Wellington New Zealand Cricket Club, May 31st, 1862. The plate and iusription had been intrusted to Mr. J. H. Marriot, whose artistic taste 'tis use I less here to eulogize. Vice President assured them their wishes wishes should be carried out to the very letter. The chairman here intimated that having other engagements he should be compelled to retiie at that early hour, and expressed his pleasure ?.t the very agreeable gathering he had witnessed (applaus). Mr. Bromley was requested to occupy the vacated chair. Song, Flow on thou Shining River by a gentleman, Mr. Bromley referring to the object which had called them together proposed Mr. Marriott's health, which was received with Musical honors, that gentleman in reply, thanked them for the high opinion they entertained for his humble abilities and in placing himself at the disposal of those with whom he moved, he was only fulfilling tue duties of a good citizen. Song, "In the Strand" by Mr. Ladd. Mr. Johnson proposed Mr. Bromley's health, which was heartly responded to and duly acknowledged. Song, "The Gold Digger" by Mr. Swan, which produced roars of laughter. Mr. Hart gave the vice-president, with musical honors, who in a very neat speech thanked them and hoped such goodly gatherings would take place from year to year (applause). Toast and song now took place, until past 11, when the company broke up heartly pleased with the incidents of the evening 1 . We must not omit to compliment Mr. Plimmer, Sen., tbe worthy host, for his praisworthy and untiring exertions during the evening.