WELLINGTON versus NELSON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 283, 1 December 1870, Page 2

WELLINGTON versus NELSON.

[by a looker-on.] Nothing- could have been more opportune than the rain of last night, which seems to have fallen with the express intention of putting the cricket ground at Victory-square in as good order as it could possibly be in, considering its neglected state. On visiting the field about halfpast ten, the first thing that struck me was, that whatever the cricketing powers of our men might be, they were, so far as size was concerned, tremendously overmatched by their oppoueuts, many of whom must, I think, be distantly connected with Mr. Chang. At a few minutes after eleven, the Wellington men having won the toss, took the field, and Smith and Knapp were sent to represent Nelson at the wickets to the bowling of Evans and Ferris. For the first two overs little took place, if I except one fine hit for 3 from Smith, as our men were cautiously taking stock of the calibre of the bowlers. In the third over, however, an attempt was made to steal a bye which ended disastrously for Knapp whose legs were no match for the ball which landed in the wicket-keeper's hands just before his bat entered the crease, and so it was good bye to Knapp for the present, after his having contributed 4 runs to the score. His place was taken by Cross, who soon got quite at home with the bowlers, and, together with Smith, kept the field fully occupied, one fine hit into the road adding four to his score. But his life though a merry one, was not long, and could not resist the temptation that was offered by a " slow" from Ferris of " spooning" the ball. Up it went like a sky rocket, and as the Prussian hussars chaae the French balloons with heads erect and gaze fixed in the air, so did Ferris run forward and with hands outstretched, in a prayerful attitude place himself immediately under the ball, which dropped into the receptacle prepared fer it, where it was held only too fast for Cross' interest, he having to beat a retreat with 6 attached to his name. Wix was the next to put in an appearance but he did not do much towards ruuuing up the score, a ball from Ferris converting his bail.s into aerial machines, Smith haviug preceded him to the tent, that haven of rest for deceased batsmen, to which he was despatched by Bock, who caught him at long leg off Ferris. Four wickets down for 31 runs. Sellou was the next to wield the willow, aud he and Barnes kept together for nearly balf-an-hour, when a ball from Ferris found its way to the latter's wicket, and 'he was compelled to resign his bat to Kilgour, after obtaining eight runs by some very neat play. Sellon and Kilgour now bothered the bowlers for some time, aud the former contrived to run up a pretty little score of 14, iucluding one 4 and two 3's, when a ball from the dangerons Ferris found its way into his timber yard, and a cheer from the opposition announced their joy at getting rid of a formidable enemy. Clark then went to the wicket, and was just in time to be in at the death of Kilgour, au event for which Ferris was once more responsible. Sevea wickets were now down for 64 runs, when

Baigeut stood up to the bowling of Werry who had relieved Evans. A few minutes sufficed to sepnrate Clark and Bajgent, the former after scoring a 3 and a 2, having to succumb to the invincible Ferris. Powell then went to the front, but returned to the tent after a very brief absence, having succeeded at his first hit in lodging the ball in Goring's hands, thus having the honor of being the first to have » duck's egg affixed to his name. He was relieved by Greenfield who, however, had very shortly to leave the wicket, his partner Baigeut being caught by Bock at long field off Evans. This brought the innings to a close, Nelson having obtained 74 runs, after keeping the field employed for exactly two hours. The fielding of the Wellington men throughout was exceedingly good, and the bowling of Ferris, the wicket-keepiug of Werry, and the long-stopping of Salmon called forth special commendation from the bystanders. At half-past one Nelson had taken the field, and Ferris and Bould were out to the wickets to the bowliDg of Cross and For remainder of News see Fourth "page.

Barnes. Eight overs were bowled, off which but two single runs were made, when Ferris in stepping forward to punish a ball from Barnes was cleverly stumped by Wix, thus making room for" Salmon, who, together with Bould, tried the bowlers' patience for some time, until a well pitched ball from Barnes created a disturbance in the latter's wickets, and gave rise to the cry of "Another man;" which was responded to by Evans, and then some very lively play ensued, the eight commandment being very frequently broken in the matter of byes, until Evans's career was out short by a beautiful bailscatterer from Cross. Three wickets were now disposed of for 26 runs, and a fourth was soon added to the list, of killed by a shot from Cross's mitrailleur which disposed of Salmon, who made a neat little score of 11. Macdonald now started forth with a strong determination to crack the egg entrusted to his charge, but sufficient time was not allowed him for incubation, and he was obliged to retire before Cross's bowling with a round 0 placed to his credit. Werry was now ordered up to the relief of his side, but by this time Barnes had becoms " fatigued " of Lomax, and put him out of the way with -an exceedingly pretty ball. Six wickets for. 37 runs. Gray was the next man, but after making one run he received a faiut from Barnes that he was wanted at the tent. As the hint was accompanied by the falling of stumps, and the word •" Out " from the umpire, he could not ignore it, and consequently made room for Goring. Seven wickets down with the score at 42. Werry, who had now got his eye on the ball, knocked it about iv excellent style untill the was caught by Wix off Barnes, after running up a score of 16. The score book now showed 58 ruus for 8 wickets. Bock, who took his place, now began to get troublesome, and as he defended the front of his wickets ■very successfully. Cross was compelled to take them from behind. Feiguing to deliver the ball he induced Bock to ran forward, ar.d he did not discover his mistake until a vision of falling bails convinced him of the clever trick that had been played on him. His place was taken fey Leadam, but being the last man he had bat a very short spell at the wickets, his partner Goring being soon caught by Powell. This closed the innings, Weliiogton having scored 60. The fielding of the Nelson men showed a marked improvement upon what it has lately been on the practice ground, and the bowling from both ends was generally acknowledged to be exceedingly good. Tbe following are the scores of the first

A Gazette of the 19th instant, contains a letter fronT the Home Commissioners, with enclosures relating to emigration and railways, in connection with their recent visit to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and North Germany. From the portion relating to emigration, we learn that Dr. Featherston authorised Messrs. Winge & Co., a firm of high stacdiug in Christiania, to select ten young snarried couples, natives of Sweden, aud ■with not more than two children to each couple. It is not stated what part of New Zealand they are to be sent to.

The Dunedin Artillery have beaten the Perthshire Eifles in a match fired on 27th August last, upon the foJlowhig terms, viz.: — Eight men aside, to fire on their respective ranges simultaneously. Distance, 200, 500, and 600 yards ; seven shots at each; regulation targets; position at 200 yards standing, and at 500 and 600 yards any; Government rifles and ammunition; pull of trigger not less than 61bs. The Otago men made 478, and the Perthshire only 390, leaving Otago victorious by 88 points.

wuuiugo • I Nelson. First Innings. Smith, c Bock b Ferris 11 Knapp, run out 4 Cross, c and b Ferris 6 Wix, b Ferris 4 ■Barnes, b Ferris 8 Mellon, b Ferris 14 Kilgour, b Ferris 1 Clark, b Ferris 5 Baigrnt, c Bock b Evans 3 Powell, c Goring b Ferris 0 Greenfield, not out 0 Byes 14 Leg Bye 1 Wide Balls 3 Total 74 Wellington. First Innings. Ferris, st Wix b Barnes 2 Bould, b Barnes 0 {Salmon, b Cross 11 Evans, b Cross 6 Lomax, b Cross 6 jVlacdonald, b Cross 0 Werry, c Wix b Barnes 1G Gray, b Barnes 1 Gorinjr, c Powell, b Barnes 2 Bock, c Cross 2 Leaclam, not out 0 Byts 13 Widt Balls 1 Total 60 When we went to press, Nelson had obtained 37 runs, losing seven wickets.