Our Contributors

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 472, 1 February 1881, Page 2

Our Contributors

OUR DUNEDIN LETTER

[FROM OUR OWN COUUESrONniCNT.]

DuNrciHN, Jan. 25

The match, Australian eleven v. twenty-two of Dunedin, was begun on Thursday at the Caledonian Grounds. The day was all that could bo desired, and ns tbe Mayor bad proclaimed a halfholiday, every facility svas afforded to the citizens for witnessing the noble game. As the day wore on there must have been fully 3000 spectators present Play commenced about ono o'clock, and Murdoch (the Australian captain) having won the toss, decided on sending his men to the wickets. Shortly before time was called in the evening the Australians were all out for the somewhat small total of 112 runs. The highest scorer in the first, innings was Murdoch with 25. Owing to the severe gale which had blown throughout Thursday night, the enclosure whore the match was played presented a sad appearance on the following morning. The Grand Stand was partially blown away, and the marquee and scorer's tent were torn to shreds. The attendance during the second day's play had considerably increased, and much enthusiasm on the part of the spectators was displayed at the fielding of the Australians, which Was truly brilliant and worthy of the notice which it has received in other lands. The twenty-tvo were soon disposed of for a total of 83 runs, Clark being the highest scorer wfth 20 runs. After a short interval the Australians again went to the wickets and when time was called they had put together a total of 67 for five wickets. It is to bo regretted that a petty jealousy seemed to have broken out amongst the local mon and two excellent bowlers declined to take their places at the request of the. captain. One of them gave a satisfactory explanation of his refusal in that he was exhausted from his efforts on tho previous day. The other, however, childishly excused himself by saying that the captain gave the members of his own club exclusively the advantages of bowling with ihe wind. 'hi Saturday play was resumed, when the two not outs at the termination of the previous day's play went to the- wickets. Shortly after three the Australians were disposed of for a totil of 1.05 ; or, f<>r the innings, of214. SpolTorih was highest scorer in the second innings with 24. Tho eleven then went to the field, and by 5 - 30 (lie last of the local team carried out his bat. The total for the second innings of L c twontv-two was iK>. :v.<-} .•',r ;',..■ ;.,.

innings, 173. The Australians were thus victors by 44 runs. The highest scorer in the second innings of the local men was McNeil, who put together 44. This, together with 16 in tho first innings, made him the highest scorer in the match. He is, consequently, winner of the silver trophy, valued at £10, which Hcrr Bandmann, of the Bandmann-Baudet Dramatic Company, has generously contributed to the highest scorer in the match. The fielding of the local men throughout has been very good, and far beyond the expectations of connoisseurs. The attendance at the close of the match numbered over 5,000, shewing the amount of interest taken in the game. The Australians left immediately for Oamaru, where they played on Monday. On Wednesday and Thursday they intend playing at Tim mi

The Bandmann-Baudet Dramatic Company are still performing at the Queen's Theatre, and arc attracting crowded audiences. On Thursday night they admit without charge all the pupils of the Dunedin public schools above the age of 10 years who have obtained firstclass attendance certificates for the past year. " Hamlet " will be put upon the boards for the occasion.

We had rather a lively time of it last night on the occasion of the election of the Dunedin School Committee for the ensuing year. There are two great educational parties in Dunedin—the Bible-in-Schools and Secular—and each used every available effort to ensure the election of its representatives. So much was the Chairman tried with the methods of obstruction and persistent clamour that he said, " Surely the inhabitants of Dunedin have forgotten the precept, ' Let everything be done decently and in order,' and I am pretty well ashamed of you to night." However, in the end the results of the voting showed that both sides ire fairly represented. Well may the citizens of Dunedin rejoice that School Committees are elected not moro than once a year.