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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 197, 24 September 1909, Page 2

THE CRICKET SEASON. ■ The king of summer games was ushered in hy local wieklers of tiie willow yesterday under 'highly favorable circuinstances, and its be-flannclled lUxm-cs provided the first public demonstration that the rigors' of winter arc no longer supposed to be with us. Cricket is, happilv, one of the few branches of athletics that is still practically untainted by the pernicious betting evil, and as such is deserving of all encouragement. Locally it is pleasing to know the summer pastime has wilhin the past year or two advanced greatly ! in popularity, and the coming season o|)eiis with prospects of even a greater vogue. The provision of better wickets; ami fields of play have, no doubt, con-1 trilmted largely to the increased popn- J Inrity of the game, and this year, with j both the Recreation Ground and Wes-1 tern Park simultaneously in very failcondition, cricketers will have every opportunity of indulging in their pastime under conditonw hitherto unobtainable. The probability of visits from an Australian eleven, as well as travelling provincial teams, during the present season will, no doubt, act as an incentive to better play, for cricket is one of the games in which assiduous practise, combined with physical endurance and skill, I play the most important role. Jt would be an immense acquisition to local clubs to engage the services of a professional coach. Much of the recent success of Otago, Canterbury and Wellington in the cricket arena has been due to the skilful coaching of well-known Australian and English exponents of the game, and undoubtedly similar good results' would be obtained locally were Hie innovation made. The matter is ' worthy of the consideration, of the local clubs , who migh.ll combine to se- , euro a coach who would be competent , to act as groundsman and keep their , wickets in first-class playing condition. , The expense, of engaging a good utility , man would not lie very great, anil, if | thoroughly considered by the town clubs, we bave little doubt the apparent, difficulty of meeting the financial obligation would soon be solved.

ON FIRST AND FOURTH P*GFa. Commercial. Amusements. District News. Shipping News). Correspondence. Woman's World. Earni and Dairy. Telegraph Revenue. Tarauaki Laud Hoard. The Sunken Submarine. Maugorei Dairy Factor}-.