THE BANQUET.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 634, 10 February 1870, Page 2

THE BANQUET.

In accordance with the vsntii custom, the rival Elevens, accompanied by a number of friends, met together at .the Volunteer Hall to speak at a friendly supper over the events of the day ; the Mayor, Mr Joseph Kilgour, occupying the chair, with the rival Captains on his, right and left hand, and faced by Messrs Guinness, sen., and Greenwood, as croupiers. Fiftythree gentlemen sat down to do honor to Host Johnston's good fare, and after appetites had' been appeased, arid the usual loyal toasts given, the toast of the evening— via. , " The Hokitika Eleven"— was proposed by the Captain of the Greymouth team, Mr Guinness, who, in, speaking of his opponents, did good courtesy to their cricketing prowess, and" dwelt proudly on the fact that his prognostication of the'Greymonth team making a better fight, -'on' their own dunghill than they did at Hokitika was now realised. He trusted these friendly encounters would bo persevered in, as it was to the mutual advantage of both clubs to meet in the same friendly spirit of rivalry and the same honest love for the cjlorious ijame. He coupled this toast with the iiame of Mrßloxam, Captain of the Hokitika Eleven.-— Mr. Bloxam, in replying, Miid, he \yas very pleased and prou,d at the

way he and his Hokitika friends had been received, and that although they had been defeated they were not conquered. He so liked the game that it was a matter of minor importance to him whether he lost or won provided he had a good game, and that s.uch a spirit as this characterised all true lovers of pricket. He begged to propose the toast of ■•< The Greymouth. Eleven," coupled with the" name" of Mr Guinness, as. their Captain-** who replied on behalf of his men. Several other toasts were proposed and responded to during the evening, and the sitting was. prolonged to a i somewhat late i hour,