CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 January 1916, Page 7

CRICKET.

TOE LATE 'MR. HAROLD McGIE. A TRIBUTE TO ONE WHO ''PLAYED THE GAWK", A' meeting of crioketers t>as ncid last evening at Mr. Samuel's' oflicf. There weie present R«»s. A. B. Cliappell and S. S. Osborne, Messrs E. Lash, E. L. Wason, G. P. Purdue, W. C. Weston, V. Elliott, Maekay, Bobertson, Ingram, A, 'Bewley, A. H. Osbarne, and Gwillim. The Rev. A. H. Colvile, Messrs G. E. Dinniss, W. P. NicolJ and P. B. Stainton sent apologies f* absence. The Rev. A. B. Ohappell, president of tho New Plymouth Cricket Council, who had called the meeting, was voted to the chair. He intimated that the meeting was the outiome of the general regret of local cricketers at the death of Mr. Harold McGie, of the United Service Club. The news had come to most of them as a ahock. His own club and the Cricket Council had already sent expressions of condolence to Mrs. McGle, and the North Tatanaki Cricket Association would in due course record its regret. But New 'Plymouth cricketers as a body desired to express their admiration of Mr. McGie and their grjef at his early death. lie was a man of fine character, and the game owed much to his all-round skill, his manly bearing and hard work. His had been a specially commendable contribution to the progress of cricket in the town, and he had left in all things a splendid example. Mr. Chappell proposed the following motion: That this meeting of New Plymouth cricketers and supporters of the game desires to place on record its unfeigned sorrow at the early death of Mr. Harold McGie. A man of upright character, diligent habits, and gentlemanly demeanour, Mr. McGie won the respect of all who knew him; as a cricketer he was distinguished by his enthusiasm and manly bearing as well as by his recognised skill. His deviation to the interests of the game and his all-round abilities as a player made him ,of .great value in club and representative cricket, and he will-toe much missed. Representing cricketers of the town and neighborhood, the meeting deplores his loss and extends its respectful sympathy to his widow In lier [ great sorrow.

'Mr. Austin Bewley seconded the motion. Mr. McGie's death meant the loss of a friend and of an exemplary cricketer. He had "played the game" in every department of it. Especially in his fielding had he been an example of keenness, not waiting for work, but seeking it, and showing an unusual genius for anticipating strokes. In all tilings his had been a fine character, and his loss was deplorable. The Rev. S. S. Osborne said he felt with al! local cricketers that the news of Mr; McGie'suutimely death was a great- shock. It was one of the happenings heneath the control of an inscrutable Providence; they must bow to the divine will. Mr. McGie had been a good citizen, a faithful member of the civil service, an excellent husband and father. Though a fine player, he never played to the gallery. Where hard work wa3 to be done he was there to do it. His fine batting and fielding in the last Ilawke Cup match at Wanganui had been a splendid exhibition. Though defeated, the North Taranaki eleven had by Mr. AleGie's efforts been saved from shameful disaster. He would not be forgotten by loca\ cricketers, who united to deplore his loss. The motion was carried bv a standing silent vote, and the 'gathering dispersed.