VISIT OF THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4952, 5 February 1877, Page 3

VISIT OF THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

The All-England Eleven arrived by the Wellington on Saturday afternoon, and although it was raining a great crowd assembled at the end of the wharf to witness their landing. The Artillery Band was also in attendance, and played during the approach of the steamer to the wharf. The cricketers were; received by members "of the committee and Mr. Armitage, the secretary, and were • conducted . to the Panama Hotel. It is to be regretted that the arrival x of our visitors should have been marked by such inclement weather,_ and it is rather ari odd coincidence that we have not for months experienced such a continuance of heavy rain. However, the rain could . not be said to have really interfered ! with the match, as the boat arrived too late.- ; It rained steadily during the morning and afternoon of yesterday, but the! weather cleared, and the rain almost ceased towards 'evening It is to be hoped that the ground Will be in a decent condition for play t°- da 7and that the weather will prove favorable to • the match.' The team expressed great pleasure at the reception they met with, the best they - state they have, ever experienced in the colonies. It certainly was a warm welcome, ine signal of the arrival of the Wellington was, as previously arranged, the.firing of guns from the different ships' in harbor, and this was _re- . Rarded by the English cricketers as a pleasing novelty. There must have been .over 5000 people on and about the wharf and Willisstreet soon after the guns -were fired, and the wharf and streets through which the visitors passed, accompanied by the gentlemen who - met them onbehalf of the Wellington cricketers, were lined with people. A great ishoutof welcome went up as the steamer arrived alongside the wharf, and as the team were recog- : nised on the deck, whioh was soon: crowded by people from the wharf. As .before stated, the English cricketers have expressed great • gratification at the reception accorded to them, and we hope that the public will roll up as well on the Basin, Reserve during the (days on which the match will be played as they did on Saturday afternoon ,at the wharf,. We were informed last'evening ;by.Mr, Armitage that he visited the ground during yesterday, and from its appearance felt confident of it being in good condition for play. This is satisfactory at all events; and the fact will be very welcome to all lovers of cricket, as it was -feared that the raia would spoil the ground for a day or two. We understand that Mr. Andrew Young will drive the | English •cricketers round the city this morning, to ■ enable them to see what there is to be seen in 1 Wellington. Providing it does not rain play will commence at noon, by: which time-we expect to see the ground crowded with spectators. 'lt may be mentioned that-Major Campbell will act as umpire for the Wellington team, and Mr. Bennett as umpire for the English team, and the two Humphries will act .'. as scorers. '■.'!"'