COSTUME CRICKET MATCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 76, 17 March 1876, Page 2

COSTUME CRICKET MATCH.

Arrangements were somewhat hurriedly made last night to take advantage of the presence of the Lynch Eamily in Nelson, and get up a costume cricket match. Accordingly between one and two this afternoon the eleven, some on horseback and some in conveyances, rode and drove round the town in full co&tume, accompanied by the Band. Arrived on the ground the costumed took the bat, the two first representatives being Mother Gum (Mr J. Pratt) and Ham Fat Man (Mr O'Connor.) The former, a buxom looking dame of 1 5 or 16 stone, wore ou her head a hage coalscuttle bonnet, while her skirts were of a kind, the description of which is not to be found in any journal of fashion, nor shali we attempt to furnish it here. Ham Fat Man was remarkably stout, but found his bulk at times very useful in defending his wickets. After knocking the ball about for a time, and securing a few runs, Mother Gum was very rudely bowled out, and the dear old lady was so fatigued by her exertions that she had to be supported to the tent by Uncle Jeff and Salamander Sam, and bad to see the bottom of a very large pewter before she recovered. The Rev Mr Stiggins took her place, but went dowu before the first ball, a misfortune whicb he bore with exemplary fortitude and resignation. No. 1 Awkward Squad (Mr M'Kenzie), in a sort of bastard military dress, was the next to appear, but had not a long life, anj awkwardly played ball giving an easy catch. Ham Fat Man had just been bowled, and now we had Autolycus (Mr Waxman), black on one side and white on the other, and Miss Gum (Mr George Lynch), a modest-looking young lady, who, however, conceived a sudden affection for the clown (Mr Frank Stanton), who was acting as umpire, during her stay]) at tho wicket — a very short one, lasting only fop one ball — and could not part from him without a loving kiss, Ching Chong (Mr H. Lynch) in his flowery Chinese robes now took the bat, and on Autolycus retiring, was joined by Salamander Sam (Mr W. Lynch), who kept the field alive with his bat, and the onlookers with his humorous sallies. Ching Chong now retired before a straight ball, and the cry another man was speedily responded to by Uncle Jeff (Mr C. Keeley), who with the assistance of Ham Fat Man parried on to the ground, amid roars of laughter, an enoymous b^t gome three feet high in the blade, and two feet wide, Having taken his (c block " with praiseworthy precision, he carefully proyiched down behind the bat and allowed it to be bowled at with supreme indifference, occasionally contriving by a skilful twist to get the ball past the slips. But the bat, though an excellent defence, was not pleasant or easy to pun yyithj and Uncle Jeif with this hi;gp instrument, and Salamander Sam with his long shoes making a run was something to see. To the sorrow of the onlookers, Salamander had to go, and Miss Sarah Walker, a lady in a brown stuff gown and nightcap, or something very like it, and a pair of spectacles, appparpd 0$ the $eld, but soon wss sent &wny again, and the Olqwn toole her place. And then the game was soon over, Uncle Jeff, as might be supposed, carrying his bat out, or rather being carried off the field in triumph on it, Unfortunately time would aot aUow of i

our witnessing- the fielding of the 'costumed, x ßut, doubtless, it was quite equal to their batting, aud created quite as much amusement.