OUR VISITORS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14597, 22 February 1921, Page 4

OUR VISITORS

The visit of (he Australian Eleven to our town ami district is an event of more than usual interest, and it should have a lasting and beneficent effect upon local cricket. During the war this game, in common with other pastimes, was left largely in abeyance, but the treat struggle once more emphasise.! the great value of Held sports upon the young manhood of the nation, and the truth of the Wellington sentiment thai "Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton" was recognised many times by the nation's leaders during tlir momentous days crowded into the 1914-18 period. And of all games, cricket is perhaps held in highest honour by all sections of British people, and its influence upon British character has been inestimable. It is a game lilted for rich and poor, and it has proved popular. lis appeal to the individual's best instincts, to bis sense of fairness, In his desire to excel, all have a beneficent effect upon (he player himself. Much meaning, for instance, is couched in the sentence "it is not cricket"; only those closely associated with the game can gauge how much. In extending a warm welcome to our doughty visitors, we hope that thc : >- short sojourn in our town will be full of pleasure to them, and hope that th« effect id' their visit will hi 1 to give the grand old game a great impetus throughout the whole of the South Auckland district.