PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 849, 14 March 1877, Page 2

PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES.

The presentation of trophies won in the recent cricket match between the All England Eleven and the Canterbury Eighteen, took place at Radcliffe’s Commercial Hotel, at eight o’clock last evening, in the presence of a considerable number of gentlemen interested in the national game. The trophies consisted of the following : 1. Mr Radcliffe’s solid silver cup (value about £10), for the beat bowling on the Canterbury side—won by Mr 0. Frith. 2. The Lyttelton Times cup (value about £10) for the best fielding on the Canterbury side —won by Mr 8. Alpe. 3. Messrs McWilliams’ and Hobday’s bats, for the highest score in the match on the Canterbury side—won by Mr E. C. J. Stevens.

4. Schwartz Brothers’ smoking companion, for the highest score in one innings, and Mr J. Montague’s bat for the second highest score in the match on the Canterbury side—won by Mr T. 8. Sweet, 5, Mr Simpson’s bat for the highest score on the All-England side—Won by Mr Allan Hill.

6, Silver-mounted cricket ball, presented by the cricketers of Canterbury to Mr A, Hill for his splendid bowling in the second innings. The chair was taken by Mr B, J. S. Harman, who said he had been honored with the request to present a number of trophies which through the liberality of some gentlemen in Christchurch, had been presented in connection with the recent match in HagUy Park, He thought Canterbury had every reason to congratulate itself on the recent match. Scarcely five and-twenty years had elapsed since the first fully recorded cricket match was played on the Canterbury Plains. At that time there were no rows of houses in the place, no regular streets, no radways, and very few spectators. He regretted to say that many of those who had taken part in that match were absent now—some had been removed by death, and some had left the colony. There was one gentleman whom ho should have liked to see present on this occasion ; that gentleman would no doubt pardon him for calling him “old Dickenson." [Applause.] He would not detain them by a long address ; but the recent match afforded an excellent proof of the strides which had been made in respect to cricket since that first match wan played, and he thought that Canterbury had every reason to be proud of the cricketing displayed by the Eighteen. [Applause] The team was in all respects a representative one. It comprised gentlemen who had been born in the colony (and not until after the first match on the Plains came off) and a number of gentlemen who hailed from various collegiate institutions in the old country, than which there were not better nurseries for cricket. [Applause.] There was no doubt that with such elements amongst them, the game would be well fostered, and he predicted an excellent status in cricket for the men of Canterbury. [Applause.] He believed the time was not far distant when an Australian eleven would go home to do battle with the cricketers of the old country. | Hear, hear.] All he could say was that if the Australian team would acquit themselves as well as the Canterbury eighteen did, they would have reason to feel equally proud. He would now proceed to distribute the prizes. The first he had to give was a silver cup to Mr C. Frith for his excellent bowling. He regretted that Mr Frith was not present to receive it, but that duty would be discharged by hia brother, whom he hoped some day would take a prominent part in the game. Mr W, Frith then accepted the silver cup on behalf of his brother.

Mr Sweet said he had been requested by Mr Frith to return thanks, which he did most heartily. All he could say was, that Mr Frith had worked hard, and deserved the beautiful cup which he had won for his ad* mirable bowling. [Applause.] The chairman said the second recipient on his list was Mr E. C J. Stevens, who had obtained the highest score, f Applause.] Mr Stevens, in accepting the pair of bats, said he had to return thanks to the gentlemen who had displayed so much liberality on this occasion by presenting these trophies. By so doing they encouraged cricket, and he hoped that in future the excellent example they had set would be followed by others. He was very pleased to think that a pair of bats had fallen to his share, and they had an enhanced value from the fact that this trophy was the first of any kind that he had won at cricket. [Hear, hear, and applause.] Nothing afforded him greater pleasure than to observe the great progress which had been made in cricket here since the first All England match in 1864. [Applause.] The Chairman said he had next to present a silver cup to Mr Alpe for his admirable fielding on the occasion of a recent match. [Applause] Mr Alpe, in accepting the cup, joined with what Mr Stevens had said in returning thanks to those gentlemen by whom the trophies had been presented. [Applause.] He hoped that on future occasions the ladies would take the matter up, [Hear, hear, and applause.] For his own part, he might say that as long as he was able to hold a bat ot run after a ball, he would be at the disposal of the Canterbury cricketers in any matches ho might be selected to play in, [Applause.] The Chairman said his next duty was to present Mr T. S. Sweet with a smoking companion and a bat —the first for the highest score in one innings, and the second for the second highest score in the match. When Mr Sweet was seen coming out, they all expected to see something, and they certainly did so at the recent match. [Hear, hear.] Mr Sweet, in accepting the trophies, made a few appropriate observations, aad said he only hoped be would do better next time. [Hear, bear, and applause.]

t The Chairman said he bad next to pr:sen a bat and ball which had been won by Mr Allan Hill, of the English eleven. He was only sorry that Mr Hill was not present to receive the trophies, but they would be forwarded to him in due course. Mr Sweet said he would bke to read out the splendid analysis whicb Mr Hill made in the second innings. It was as follows: 103 balls, 17 runs, 12 wickets, and 15 maidens, [Hear, hear, and applause, j The Chairman said that all the trophies had now been presented. Mr George Turner said he wished io propose a vote of thanks to Mr Harman for the kindness he had shown on this occasion, and the great interest he had always displayed in cricketing matters in Canterbury. The vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. Mr Harman briefly acknowledged the compliment. . A few bottles of champagne having been uncorked, a number of toasts were proposed ami duly honored. Mr Turner proposed—“ The Cricketing Interest,” coupled with the name of Mr Sweet, to whom he paid a high compliment for the interest he had manifested in cricketing affairs. The toast having been duly honored, Mr Sweet returned thanks.

Mr J. H. Bennett then proposed—" The Two Teams, coupled with the name of Mr Harman.” He agreed with Mr Btevens aa to the great progress which had been made in every branch of the game since the visit of the first English team. In fact, he (Mr Bennett) had had not such a treat since he left England than that afforded him in the recent match. [Hear, hear, and applause.] The toast was duly honored and appropriately responded to. Mr D’Bmden proposed the health of the winners of trophies, which was duly honored and responded to. A number of other toasts (including the health of Mr Stevens) were drunk most enthusiastically, after which the company separated.