Successful Umpiring.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 December 1939, Page 3

Successful Umpiring.

The appointment of independent umpires for the senior matches is meeting with the warm-hearted approval of all impartial players and spectators, and relieves players wiio are acting as umpires of an unenviable responsibility. The umpires are carrying out their duties in a manner which is to be commended. That mistakes will be macle by the best of umpires is admitted even by umpires themselves, but players can rely on obtaining a square deal from those who now control the games. At least one of the umpires has had a varied experience as a player and umpire and cricketers are fortunate that he is prepared to devote time today to the arduous duties of umpiring. I am referring to Arthur Styles—in his time a brilliant batsman, bowler and slip field, and who has made a study of the game, always keeping himself up-to-date in rulings. The most brilliant pair of slip fields Wairarapa has ever seen were Arthur Styles and Bob Moss, and they probably never dropped a catch in their senior cricketing career or misfielded a bail. Both were powerful hitters and when at the wickets together used to pile up the runs at an alarming rate. Both ranked as high grade bowlers, and more than once topped the averages in the days when Wairarapa had many outstanding batsmen. Arthur Styles has umpired so many times in cricket matches that to attempt to remember the number would be a hopeless task.