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Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1926, Page 2

i Thk willow will for the next four months or so he King. Cricket at Home is going to monopolise the attention of the caliles, and coal crisis and other problems of the tour will have to take second place. This is perhaps typical of the race and need not occasion special concern. Although the masses w ill he rushing off to . the Australian matches at Home, behind the statesman and the hanker, the wine heads will ho busy plodding away at their problems, and by way of ti respite or recreation will find an engaging interest in cricket. The sport will be the safety valve as it were for national feelings, and it is perhaps not an unwise state of affairs that it will be so. Tlie Australians have opened their first game not over successfully, and the critics have not been slow to jump at conclusions in what was really a practice match, and as the “Dailv Express” has sensibly remarked, is scarcely any guide as to future performances. Still, the cricket critic must have “copy” for his exacting readers, and so there is a surfeit of comment on a gnue which was of no importance as an exhibition of cricket. Mr Warner, tlie great authority, extends himself in a personal criticism, which is based obviously on poor cricket, and though he flouts the Australian bowling rather definitely, he does not hum all his bridges, for though he is definite enough in saying that he does not think the bowling is going to he very formidable—he still lias at the back of his mind the feeling that he may hare to eat his words. Hope springs eternal and English cricketers have been hoping for long years to retrieve the laurels from Australia, and even if My Warner indulges in false

hopes it is a pardonable national failing in the circumstances. All the world will be more or less interested in the cricket, drama about to be staged. With iah the prestige they have won, and the confidence in their prowess, we may lie sure the Australian team is not going to be a cheap proposition for the Englishmen. Any signs of cheapness in the opening game can be accounted for very soundly, and it would be foolish to cherish any false hopes about a possible debacle. The fact is the Australian team is very carefully selected, and as it is about the best selection which could be made in the Commonwealth we may bo sure it is of the superfine standard. The Australians have been well tried in the past. The team contains veterans who have been through the ordeal of severe tost, and all may be sure to worthily uphold the reputation they enjoy when meeting the pick and pride of English cricket.

Tiie highly successful Exhibition at Dunedin was brought to a close on Saturday in scones of a memorable character. Although described officially as the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, it was more directly than anything a Dunedin Exhibition. It was essentially so directly in promotion and organisation. With creditable enterprise and local patriotism the citizens of Dunedin found the initial money to launch the project—and they did it in the right civic spirit expecting very little of their money to return to them directly. As the great undertaking grew' the assistance of the Government was sought and given libera 11 V- The sum total wins a very memorable display. All New Zealand migrate!! to Dunedin, sonic of the folk more Hum once. The attendance record looking to the geographical situation of Dunedin in relation to the rest of the Dominion, was altogether remarkable. No less remarkable was the splendid organisation and management of the big show. All branches were equally thorough and the sum total is ft record achieved of which Dunedin may well ho proud for it reflects to the fullest on the rest of New Zealand. The closing scenes were remarkable as it was expected they would ho. The occasion was made a groat compliment to the promoters of flic Exhibition for it showed bow much their work and untiring labors were appreciated. Every one could not be present for the last day and night of the great show, but in addition to the thousands present, many thousands more were able to he very closely present by listening in on Saturday afternoon and evening to the broadcasted services of the proceedings. The hum and noise of the moving and cheering throngs could be beard plainly. The playing of the hand, which was such a distinguished part of the Exhibition, was a feature of the finale, and the remarkable volume of cheers to he heard when the hand had played “Atikl Lang Syne” seemed to leave no doubt as to the jxjnt up feelings of the vast throng in intimate touch with the playing of the hand—-of the closing numbers n very moving selection of “Abide With life” was given with something to remember tbo band by. And so tbo curtain lias been rung down on tbe great exhibition. Tradespeople will he glad to some extent that the strain and stress of Exhibition time has ended. New Zealanders have been holiday making to llieir Tull, and other parts have felt the stringency. Still the money bus not gone out of Hie country—it is still moving round. The large personal expenditure lias not been lost by any means. Tbe Dominion will got back to business as ti.sue’ again, and it is a necessary part to play just now. The folk should be all the better lor their holiday end appreciate more what their country is and what il can do. To that extent at least the Exhibition has been useful and helpful. All credit to all concerned for the achievement.