TROTT & HIS MERRIE MEN.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1629, 21 December 1912, Page 2

TROTT & HIS MERRIE MEN.

CIVIC RECEPTION. SOME VERY CORDIAL BPEEOHE3. FULL NOTES OP TOUE. Tho South Molbourno Crickot Club representatives hurried through Wellington at a breakneck paoe yesterday. Tn«y had only an hour ut midday between the t'imo of thoir arrival from Miasterton ami i.uparturo for Blenheim, to call lor' thoir letters, drop thoir laundry, anil bo received by tho Mayor (Air. D. M'Laroii) ill his room, and this was 'done easily in tho allotted time,, proving how good tile visitors aro "between tho wiokots." : Ainong tho first to hop off tho train at tho Lainbton Station was that great old general of tho cricket field. Harry 'l'rott. Tho team wasocoompanied oy Mossrs. J. C. Cusack and A. A. Georgo, of Wellington, officials of the Wednesday Cricket Association (under whoso - auspices tho team is visiting tho Dominion), Mr. Baragwanath, Mayor of South Melbourne, and president of the) club, and Mr. M'Cormack, -tho manager. In the Mayoral sanctum Mr.- MXaren, in extending a weioome to the teanv said that ho was somewhat in doubt • for tho moment whether he was in-Now Zealand 'or Australia, on account of 'having .met 60 many people from "the other sido" lately, He was, however, delighted to moot 60 many from Australia. They were,, after all, the same. people, witn tho same interest in good healthy sport, and he tendered (on behalf of the council and tho city) a hearty welcome. New Zealand had not, so-far, excelled on the cricket flold, but they were advancing. To a little people. in a small oountry these visits were valuable, and if the local playors could, profit by them, so much tho better. Their to play on Boxing Day would undoubtedly interest Wellington people. On tho call of Mr. A. A. George, threo hearty cheers were given the visiting team. "One Blood, One Brotherhood!" 1 As president of the Weduesday Cricket Association, Mr. Thomas Bush gavo the visitors hearty greeting, aid hoped that their stay in the country would bo a pleasant one. On picking , up the morning paper he htid felt sorry. : It was always sad to 9jo a round "o".opposite a name— (laughter at Trott)—but he remembered the day when no'~A'ustralian team was complete -without the name of Hanj Trott. (Applause.) He was very sad and sorry—but- on looking lower down he saw that the veteran lad imdhis revenge when lie started those "wobblers" of his in the eocond innings. (Laughter and applause.) i These visits were an excellent idea. They brought about a thorough understanding between the two countries, and alter all wo were of one blood, one brotherhood-—(applause)-Tand the day might yet co'me when they would have to stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our countries, (Loud and continued applause.) He had heard there were some bowlers among thb team. If they would only say the word, he would do everything possible to' give' them a good time'. He hoped'they would spare a day or half a day on their return to have a game of bowls. (Applause,) . Where Wo Learnt Our Cricket, Mr. Martin Luckie, chairman of tho oounoil of '.ho Wellington Cricket Association, in joining the chorus of welcome, expressed pleasure - in meeting those oi whoso prowess and ability they had heard. He expressed the.keen appreciation of his and other' associations in Now Zealand of the. honour done, them by. the, visit, for vrhich the Wednesday'"Association was primarily responsible. They 1 (Now Zealanders) had learned all their cricket from Australia—from Australian toatne rrKo had bosn visiting Wellington, dating back 20 years. The New .South Walej. teachers had:only.arrivedion:Wednesday, and the Now South Wales representatives were coming over later.,to.,',,.They,, could, no hope to succeed l, 'against .them,- but they ivere doing their best to improve cricket in.New Zealand, and ono day. they, hoped' to be able to, send a team from Now Zealand that ■ would be. able to hold its own with, the Australian Statesrcould produce.',' He offered t(iem .a cordial greeting and friendship off the field. On thO'-ficM, theji of. course,' Tvoiild bo their bitter enemies.; (Laughter, and ap : plause.) ■ What'i In a Name? Mr. Baragwanatb said that he thought that he should have been a New Zealauder beoause he had such an "ungodly.* name. His boys had been trying to pronounce the names of : the stations along tho line, but- he had told thorn that they would not find' a "oorker" like' his; The team was a good -one,',and ;if ,Wellington could beat-it his men wouldbe : the first to say "Well done!'.'-,, "Good Sports in Wellington." Mr. M'Cormack, manager of ..the team, said that they had met with nothing but kindness. Their first glimpses of Now Zealand had been good and they had mot plenty of good fellows in Masterton, but they (Masterton) had assured them (the Australians) that Wellington was full of . good sports. They, were not too,-, sure about the trip awaiting them (to Picton). They had been told, that the waves, ran, mountains high in ■ Oook Strait, and he wondered why a tunnel could not be constructed to connect the two islands. Anyhow, they were glad to be here and. would do their best to uplift the-game. Their, team was the best side that ever toured outside inter-State teams, and he believed it could beat the team now representing Victoria' against New South Wales. "One of tho Best. Green Bowlors." On rising, Harry Trott, the veteran of a thousand willow and hide fights, was greeted with a fusillade of applause; He said that he had intended .to make a very long speech, but time pressed. Kegarding his "duok" at Masterton" he could assure them that he went ojit' to' a : ball that beat him. The man who got him was one of the best "green"' bowlers he had met. Ha was swerving from the leg about two feet, but ho did not know how to place his field. If he had known how to place his field they (South Melbourne) would never have knocked up 360 runs. In Masterton they wanted confidence, and he had had it . explained to thom that they (tho visitors) were only a club team, but it didn't seom to go. with them. (Laughter.) Now the Wellington follows had giTon them.a bit of flattery— "that we are going to wallop them'— but he had recollections of a. man named (Arnold) Williams knocking.up 98 in 1890 against the best bowling in Australia. Anyhow to hoped that when they met on Boxing Day they would have a good game. (Applause.) . , Further cheers were given the visitors who then hurried away to join the steamer. for Picton. The match against Wellington will commence on Boxing Day. THE G. H. S. TROTT OF TO-DAY. A BEEEZY TALK. "Old Harry," as the members of • the' South Melbourne.cricket,team affectionately refer to Mr. G. H. S. Trott, the crioketer who for - many years did great work in upholding the prestige of Australia in the king of summer games. On lauding from , the train at noon yesterday, tho air seemed to be full ot hands outstretched to "shake" with the veteran, and nono was there but who felt that the right sentiment was rev-, eronce. The name of Harry Trott will of course long be remembered. • With tho passage of years < Mr. Trott has acquired that aspect of physical weight and circumstance which call for out-sizes in clothes, but his, spirits aro as gay as tho colts.whom. h<j has brought with him. 1 " " : "I only play now for exercise, . said Mr. Trott to a Dominion reporter, ''and because I still liko it," he added scntentiously. •' ..' ' " ' . ' "Theso boys aro dpmg very well m tho competitions you. know," ho continued with that confidential interest that tells of enthusiasm for the game. "We have only been beaten once—by university, when they had- tho'luck to get tho good wicket—but we are third on the list and might bo first before tho so'ason ends- It's a pity Facey couldn't came. As soon as they're on top—l'll retiro from tho game and take to bowls." . ... Ever been- in Wellington beforoP • "Yes, sixteen years _ago. ' The plaoe has gono ahead a good bit siuco then. We played a gome here on our wav back from England. Let me see, who wan with us then—Jones, Eady, M'lCibbin, George Giffen, Donnan, Kolly, Hughlo. Trumbk

Gregory, ami myself. Harrv Mucgrove was manager, 1 romembor. Thai was tlio timo a fellow named Williams knocked up a good score against us—good bat and a good wicket-keeper ho was. "That was tho last timo X wont .Homo with fho Austral ians. My first trip was in 1888. Heigh-ho, a long timo now! Say, Jlao, keep your feet oil my washing I" (Tliuj to tho manager, Mr. M'Cormack, also seated in tho motor-oar in which the interview took place.) Do you play district orickot in Melbourne? "Oil, yes, it's all district oricket thoro, and a great deal of interest is taken in it. Wo had 5000 pooplo at our last match with C'ollingwood, and 3000 when wo played Fitzroy. , Tho district scheme is all right in Melbourne. My advice to you is stick to it and try and oreato local enthusiasm \" At this moment Dr. Pigeon (mid-week crioketeri' was introduood, and in tho course of an informal talk mentionod that Trott had played against his undo at Borne. "Whoro?" asked old Ilarry. "Gloucestershire!" answered Dr. Pigeon. "What name?" PV'.G.I" "What, GraooP Woa ho your undo? —Well, I'm pleased to meet you. Ilavo you read his book—it is very interesting. Ho 6ent mo an autographed copy. Fino old man, ho was!" Then tho motor moved on, and everyone grabbed his red-ribboned hat, and made original remarks about windy Wellington. GOSSIP OF. THE TOUR. SOME INTERESTING JOTTINGS. The South Molbourne crioketers had a good trip down from Auckland to Palmerston, where they were mot by Mr. J. C. Cusack (representing Wellington Wednesday Association), and wero received by tho Mayor of Palmerston (Mr. J. A. Nash). Mr. Nosh expressed regret that enterprise had not been shown in arranging a match at Palmerston. Speeches in reply wore made by Mr. Baragwanath (Pres. S.M.C.C.), Mr. M'Cormack (manager of tho team), and Mr. G. H, S. Trott (captain). On the rail journey over to Masterton much amusement was created by the efforts oi the Australians to pronounco the Maori names on the stations. It is related that "Eketahuna" proved the-su-preme puzzle. The team were met at Masterton by the Mayor (Mr. J. M. Coradine), the town clerk, and Messrs. Logan arid Kimbell (Wairarapa Association). They were afterwards introduced to prominent Wairarapa cricketers. Afterwards an inspection of the Masterton Oval was made, and here the keen eye of the visitors for real business was noticeable. Arrangements had been made for a motor trip on Wednesday morning, but, as soon as it was known that the Australians would prefer net practice, half a dozen Wairarapa men promptly appeared on the scene and mowed and rolled out two pitches, to say nothing of the trouble of putting out tho nets. After the practice a civic reception was given by the Mayor at the Borough Council Chambers, the whole of the councillors attending. A luncheon, given by the Mayor of Masterton, followed. .' In.the evening, the team, attended a performance by .the Carrie Moore Company, at which the • leading man (Mr. Percy Clifton) delivered an adroit quip at Harry Trott—"Travelling to find a duck." On Thursday morning members of the team were motored out into the country in cars, placed at their disposal by Wairarapa residents. As has been indicated in Press Association telegrams, the Australians contracted to play out fame against Masterton till 6" o'clock, and they stuck ; loyally to the bargain, giving an exhibition game after the match, proper was over.. As a g>mpliinent Mr. Arthur A. George (of Wellington) was . included in the. Australian ' side, . and gave a very nioa showing for 20 not out. A smoke concert was held in the evening. > „ , At the smoko concert Mr. M'Cormack (manager), in returning thanks, to the Wairarapa Association, said: "On no oc.casion, un many, experiences,, can I re; call' such ' right- royal, treatment- as has been accorded both by tho Wairarapa Cricket Association and citizens of Wairarapa. In travelling ! have often returned thanks pro forma, out I think I can really state now that what I am paying to you is coming from the heart." . . , 1 As evidenco of tho filing of th© visi'tors towards Masterton.it may be mentioned that they have subscribed to place a seat in the Park Oval. Arrangements in connection with this have been left in the hands of Mr. J. C. Cusack. . On the trip down to Wellington the scenery was much enjoyed, especially on the portion of the route crossing the Rimutaka. . , . The features of tho match at Masterton were the bowling of M'Alpine, a Wairarapa 'trundler, who is gifted with a fine rintural sworve, th?'.-capital innings by Kvle and a rather brilliant display with. . : the ball bv. Harry Trott - The short running of tfie visitors between the wickets was a treat to watch. - In this respect Kenny was facile nrinceps, and it is stated that he has never yet run a partner out. ' i