CRICKETERS’ FAREWELL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 July 1938, Page 6

CRICKETERS’ FAREWELL

TRIBUTES TO MR H. B. MASSEY. LOSS TO THE WAIRARAPA. Glowing tributes to the ability of Mr H. B. Massey as a player, coach and administrator were paid at a farewell gathering tendered to him last evening by the Wairarapa Cricket Association. There was a large and representative attendance of cricketers and general regret was expressed at Mr Massey’s impending departure for ’Whangarei. He was the recipient of a handsome leather suitcase, suitably inscribed. “The loss of Mr Massey is really a catastrophe to Wairarapa cricket,” observed Mr S. Brice, chairman of the Management Committee of the Wairarapa Cricket Association, and a former New Zealand representative selector. Mr Brice went on to recall that he was captain of the Wellington representatives when Bruce Massey was “pushed” into the eleven as a “cockerel” along with Ken James and Ces Dempster. Both James and Dempster had gone a long way in cricket, but he felt that with the same opportunities, Mr Massey would have gone just as far,' if not further. (Hear,hear). At first, Mr Massey had shown great promise as a bowler and it was thought that bowling was his best asset. However, he played a great innings at the Basin Reserve against a strong eleven which included Clarrie Grimmett, who incidentally, he regarded as the finest slow bowler in the world. In that match Ken James and Mr Massey came to light with a great last innings knock that almost pulled the match out of the fire.

“When I was a ’selector of the New Zealand team to tour England in 1930,” Mr Brice continued, “I tried very hard to get Mr Massey into the team. The New Zealand Council was the stumbling block. They would not allow of an extra man being- taken. If they had, that man would have been Mr Massey. (Applause). Perhaps it was unfortunate that he did not reside in Christchurch or Canterbury. I think it will be generally admitted that there are few better all-round cricketers in the Dominion than Bruce Massey and if Auckland are far-seeing enough to drag him into the Plunket Shield matches I think he will prove that.” Mr Massey had developed the Wairarapa College team remarkably and was leaving some excellent material behind him. Tn presenting Mr Massey with a leather suitcase on behalf of Wairarapa cricketers, Mr Brice said that while they regretted his departure they were pleased to see that he was bettering himself in his profession. (Applause). Mr C. Perry, president of the Cricket Association, said that in losing Mr Massey they were not only losing a ( first-class cricketer but also one of the most respected citizens of Masterton. “Play the game,” had been the spirit inculcated into the boys under his charge by Mr Massey, whom he would describe as a Christian gentleman. The remarks of previous speakers were endorsed by Messrs E. S. Smith (Old Boys), G. Peterson (Red Stars), S. Jenkins (Lansdowne), J. Alexander (ex-Wairarapa College), G. Barr and J. K. Logan.

Mr Massey expressed sincere thanks to the cricketers for turning out on such an unpleasant night The large attendance at the gathering was particularly pleasing to him. He went on to say that he played cricket for the game’s sake. He loved cricket and anything he had been able to do for the game in the Wairarapa had been because of his love and enthusiasm for it. He was a firm believer that sport was one of the greatest factors in the development of a boy’s character. After referring interestingly to the joys, thrills, uncertainty and disappointments of cricket, Mr Massey said that one of the biggest stumbling blocks to < the progress and improvement of cricket in the Wairarapa was the lack of good practice wickets for the senior teams. Ho suggested that it was a matter that the Management Committee could very well give serious consideration to next season. There was a need also for an increased number of junior teams. In conclusion he thanked the cricketers for “this happy and encouraging farewell” and for the presentation.