THE CRICKET MATCH AT ELLERSLIE.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1191, 17 November 1873, Page 2

THE CRICKET MATCH AT ELLERSLIE.

The scene under the cliff at Foibßritomarton Saturday afternoon Avas one to be remembered. That spot—hitherto associated in our nr'nd with accidents, broken b'mbs, gunpowder, death, and coroners' inquestsseemed on Saturday to be the promise of a new era with compensatory influences. The steam-engine, with its attached train of first aud second-class carriages, ready-robed excursionists, and sweet sounds of music from the instalments of the City Band were of the liveliest and most harmonious character. WiPiain Wordsworth, who wrote the "Excursion" and other beautiful poems, hated excursion trains as he saw them pass between his Cumberland mountains, beside the lakes. He looked upon the engine as the great disturber of poetic solitude ; but some of us of this city regard the huge ironhorse as the messenger of peace and symbol of the "good time coming." The city of Auckland was well represented by the side of the gently swelling waves of the sea, The representatives of politics commerce, journalism, Punch, law, and order were there, and the mellow coo of the Star carrier pigeons was heard in the central carriage. The train filled rapidly, thanks to the spirit of the half-holiday movement, and as the huge engine puffed towards tho leafy glades of aristocratic Parnell the atmosphere echoed the huzzas of spectatorsjwho appeared to grow less in the distance as the iron civiliser rushed through sylvan ravines and ferny recesses. The ladies of Parnell, renowned for their beauty, accomplishments, and lovely lives, stood on the romantic confines of woody localities and flower-circled gardens waving scented handkerchiefs to the panting train and breathing kisses upen the odorous summer breeze. In the tunuel the blackness of a starless night fell upon the passengers, the engine screamed, and a few mischievous young ladies caught up the strain, but fortunately not one fainted. On went the train, the band still playing, and the girls with prolific head-dress laughed out of the exuberance of their hearts. Out again into the glorious sunshine, and through thefohaged fields and gardens of Newmarket, went the motley company, and not a maiden heart apparently felt the throes of timidity. At length the stationary spot was reached, but not Ellerslie's station, as that has to be erected in the course of the next seven years, and wo were standing on the bank midway tstween the " Harp of Erin" and the grandstand of Ellerslie. The ladies were tenderly banded over tho ungenial, ragged stones, one

by one in beautiful order by the politest man , of the company, aud in a short space of time j hundreds of fairy feet were tripping over the > virgin soil, anion:/ the buttercups, towards i tJio '^"course. while the lark- was; yy. s over-head. Ellerslie is delightfully situated ai. ong gentle undulating hills, and 'a about the best spot that could have been selected for such century old sports as horse-racing. The stand is commodious, sufficiently large for present present purposes, and designed evidently will; a view to meet the growing necessities of the future should racing continue to occupy a leading place among the pleasures of the people, .fillers'!.e, nestling in the tranquillizing bosom of nature under the broad blue sky, was soon alive with merry voices and the reports of lemonade bottles. The summit of the grand-stand was crowded with visitors, aud the captain in command of the good things was humming about an busy as a bee, paying minute attention to the unpacking of hampers bursting with provisions, rich plum-cake, strawberries, and such cream and luscious beverages as would have made a Good Templar smack his lips at the delicious prospect, and caused him to "fall into temptation," The cricketers, laden with bats and stumps, marched to the field of contest, rod as the game opened up struck the band, and to the amusement of the ladies in the gallery up went the first Star pigeon with its brief message to the stay-at-home citizens and unclosed drapers. A variety of games were provided for those of the visitors who could not conveniently take part in cricket, being too corpulent, while a number of young ladies and their lovers placed the Paiaell game of croquet in the burning sun with little boys holding their parasols. Others of mi.'-dlo-age, and a little beyond, including retired officers, white-bearded grand-fathers, a late candidate for the honorable post of Superintendll^ and an expert city counc;llor, active alike >7 1*'1 1S legs and tongue, engaged in tho lawn d?nC?< and made seemly and graceful boW3 to the ladies, some of whom were anxious for a revival of "Kiss in the Ring," but did not succeed. The feasting and sport at length came to an end, the cricket was over, the last pigeon had passed beyond the hills, the band played "God Save the Queen," and all faces were turned towards the steaming engine except a lingering lawyer, with whom it was nearly a cnte, and wdiose run was brief. The evening was as beautiful as tho afternoon had been sunny : — " The clouds were pure and white ps flocks now shorn, And fresh from the clear brook ; sweetly they slept On tho blue fields of heaven, and then there crept A little noiseless noise among the leaves. Born of tho very sigh that silence heaves ; For not the fui-itost motion could hi seen O'er EUcsUe and a1! its shades of green."

Again we were safely scatedi in the central carriage, and while on our homeward journey we jotted down the scores of the first cricket match of the Auckland season, which we respectfully present to our readers. The club is greatlyindebted to J. R. Davis, Esq., Messrs Brogden and Sons' manager in Auckland, for the use of the railway, and tho perfect arrangements on the line. Mossrs Watt, T. Morrin, and Captain Davcney al.o contributed largely to the success of the gathering. The Auckland Jockey Club also behaved with great liberality by giving the use of their excellent grounds and grand stand. TWENTY-TWO. Ryan, c Thorn o, b Roes 0 Wynyrrd, runout .. 0 Blunden, c Mowbray 7 Osborne b Connell .. 0 Garland, b Revs.. .. 4 Cochrane, c Bell.. .. -1 Philson, b Ree.-i .. ~ 2 Wakefield, st. Rvsselt 0 Quintal 0 Browning, st. Rursell 0 Rico, c Thorno .. ..3 Stoddard, st. Bur-ell.. 0 Newbtr.y, run out .. 3 Brett, b Connell.. .. 1 Heather, ian out .. 0 Waller, b Rees .. .. 0 Ellis, c Council .. .. 5 Butler, n-'i out .. .. 1 Bennett, c Mowbray.. 5 Byes 1 Isaacs, c Rees .... 0 Alexander, st. Rvsell 0 Total 35 Ruddock, c Thoinc .. 0 FLEVEN. Abraham, b Newbury 7 Maclern, c Garland ~ 3 Mowbray, b Bennett 0 Bell, b F'V. 3 Davies, c Isaacs.. .. 2 Rrssell c Bennett .. 0 Rees, c Ellis IS Connell, not out .. .. 0 Maselield, lbw .. .. 3 Byes, &c 11 B. Wynyard, c Ryan.. 7 — Thome, lbw 0 Total 6