WELCOME HOME.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19162, 19 November 1927, Page 17

WELCOME HOME.

HIGH SCHOOL CRICKETERS. TOUR EXPERIENCES RELATED. The old boys, masters of the school, and members of the Christchurch Boys' High School first eleven gathered in the Old Boys' Association's club rooms last evening to welcome back Messrs M. L. Page and W. E. Merritt, members of the New Zealand team which toured England. "With the guests was Mr K. C. James, wicket-keeper of the team. + Mr Eandal Hicks, chairman of the Old Boys' Association, presided, and welcomed Messrs Merritt and Page, who, he said, had upheld the honour of the school by their fine play in the Old Country. They had made a great showing in England and in Australia, and had come through with wonderful success. Page had been used to country wickets, and thus, in the Old Country, he was always able to play fast bowling. Merritt had won fame throughout the world. He was young, and, although .Australia had produced good bowlers in the past, it had never turned out a bowler such as Merritt. Further experience, patience, and perseverance would develop him into a bowler equal to any of his colleagues in the world. After heartily congratulating both players, Mr Hicks referred to K. C. James, stating that he had represented Wellington, and that he had put up a splendid performance. Congratulatory references wero also made to the two representatives from Christ's College, Blunt and Lowry. It was most gratifying to note that the two representatives of each school had the highest batting and bowling averages, said the speaker. Benefit of Sport. Mr G. J. Lancaster, headmaster of the Boys' High School, said he could not talk of the cricket played, because one could not paint the lily. On behalf of the school he expressed to the players the great appreciation which all felt of their performances in England. They were sportsmen to their finger-tips, and were the subjects of hero-worship from the boys of the school. The latter constituted a very fine jury, and before them Page and Merritt had eome out trumps. "Sometimes I am told that we sacrifice lessons to sport," said Mr Lancaster, "but the longer I am teaching, the more I realise the benefits derived by the school from sports." Mr L. D. Page, captain of the Old Boys' senior eleven, also extended congratulations to the three players'. Cricket in Canterbury, said Mr H. M. Chrystall, representing the Canterbury Cricket Association, was at present in a state of fiux. It was developing, and the tour had opened up a new era. In five years' time they would see a team going to the Old Country able to play Tests with England and Australia. The team had created an excellent impression in England, and had done a great work for New Zealand in advertising the Dominion as no _ one else could have done. It remained for New Zealand to take its part in international cricket in the future. Mr W. J. V. Hamilton also offered congratulations on behalf of Christ's College Old Boys' Association. _ -

Cricket and Cricketers. Mr Page, who was greeted with applause, traversed the incidents of the tour. He commenced by stating that Dacre's first six travelled 130 yards, going out of the ground, over some motorcars, and into a tent I At Cambridge, he said, were spent the greatest three days of the tour, the team meeting there several old Christ's Collegians. At Lord's, in the game v. Middlesex, bad j fielding cost the team the day, this being due to the unaccustomed' light,' which caused the whole team to drop catches. "Against Sussex, captained by Gilligan, we met great players," said Mr Page. "The team gave a wonderful fielding display. At Oxford E. B. T. Holmes was the only batsman who gave a real exhibition of driving. There was snow on the ground and the wicket wis covered with a tarpaulin!" During the tour, he continued, Lowry was the finI est "big cricketer" in England. \He was always a tremendous help to the team, and his advice and instruc'.ons made all the difference in the play. His policy, on occasions, was to get the other side in near the close of the day for half an hour, even if it meant throwing wickets away. "Second-class cricket in England is not up to the New Zealand provincial standard," said Mr Page, adding that throughout every match the tourers were under a keen mental strain brought about by the huge crowds who ap enthusiastically watched every movement. The game against Yorkshire, he said, W£s too keen to make it very friendly. Fast bowling, throughout the tour, was handicapped by the state of the pitches. Blunt was greatly amused at headlines in the papers announcing that he had Fowled Suteliffe. The fact of the matter was that the ball ran up the leg, over the shoulder, and on to the left bail! Larwood was such a fast bowler that the ball burnt the grass. He was a small man, but had a perfect run up to the wicket. His right knee troubled him, and at Bristol he suffered injury to the cartilage. It was to be feared that his bowling days might be ended. In the match against Warwickshire everything went remarkably well, Dempster playing some great shots. In Wales it was found that the All Blacks were wonderfully popular, and the same applied to the New Zealand soldiers. That, no doubt, accounted for the team's great reception. It was in Gloucester that Dacre hit the finest six of the tour. i The English people knew the game ! thoroughly, said Mr Page, and were quick to applaud any bright piece of play. Kent was the only team superior to the New Zealanders in England, he said, elaborating on the particular style adopted. Mr Page concluded with a i tribute to the umpiring, which, he said, j was decisive and final. The umpires in all counties were most helpful with advice to the team, but very firm in decisions. Mr Merritt Lad much to say about the humorous incidents of the tour, remarking that the hospitality was remarkable in every place visited. People seemed to think that New Zealanders were the nearest living to Englishmen. It was stated that there was not a wicket-keeper in England, with one exception, who came up to James's standard. Mr James related encounters with .Royalty and people in high places. In England, he said, referring to the serious side of the tour, the ball bit into the ground, giving sufficient length to break. This was in direct contrast to conditions in Australia. The speeches of the evening were interspersed with musical items and at the conclusion cheers were given for the guests, followed by the School haka.