ARRIVAL OF THE ALL ENGLAND ELEVEN IN VICTORIA.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1141, 13 January 1874, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE ALL ENGLAND ELEVEN IN VICTORIA.

(AUSTRALASIAN.) 'Coming" 110 longer, but actually amongst us, and thusly. Preparations to some extent had been made by the promoters and the general body of cricketers to receive in fitting manner 1 ho players of England, but all reckoned without the good ship Nubia, which slipped along past the Otway at such a rate as to catch us all napping, and to the astonishment of

everybody who arrived in town to business last Paturday morning, the heads flag was up at the Post office. " Coming up the Bay fast, will be at anchor by half-past 11," said a P. and O. official. Then was there a hurry- • ing to and fro among our cricketers. Mr Biddle was here, and there, and everywhere. The coach and four had to be looked after, the steamer must be in attendance within an hour. Mr This, Mr That, Mr So-and-So, and Mr Such-and-Such had to be hunted up, and two or three hansoms had a lively time of it. A quarter-past 11, however, saw about 60 or 70 gentlemen assembled on the railway pier. A. start was made, and after some 20 minutes steaming, the " mail" was met just off, the light-ship. Speed was slackened, and running close alongside, three ringing cheers were given for Mr Grace and comrades. These were heartily returned, and a quarter of an hour was spent in scanning the passengers and making conjectures as to who was who. Mr W. G. Grace was at once recjgnised fro:n his photograph and Mr Frank White, who was warmly greeted by his friends on the steamer, pointed out to him our various cricket notables. At last the Customs boat left, and the Nubia was boarded. Introductions and handshaking became general, and the Englishmen were soon at homo amid the hearty welcome they received. Their luggage was transhipped, and a landing soon effected at the old town pier, to the disappointment of a great number of people, who had been impatiently awaiting them at the railway pier. A coach and four, handled by Mr George AVatson, took the party to Melbourne ; and after a drive through the principal streets, they alighted at the Port Phillip Club, where a crowd of some 600 people had assembled to cheer them. The gentlemen of the team remained-here, and the professsiona's were taken on to the Old White Hart, which hotel will be their quarters while in town. Sunday, bright and fine, was passed by the " twelve" in suffering a recovery and gaining their land legs ; and Monday, hot and dusty, saw all out in the field on the M.C.C. ground, under the eager eyes of an appreciative crowd of onlo ike rs. On Tuesday, close and sultry, they were the guests of the mayor at the Townhall, where he welcomed them to the city, and the usual toasts were drunk in sparkling champagne, and the usual speeches were made in the usual sparkling manner. After his worship had shown the Town-hall, and all the glory thereof, and Mr David Lee had played on the organ for their delectation, the " twelve" were conducted to Messrs. Goldsbrough and Co.'s wool stores, where there was more champagne and cordiality. In the afternoon, Messrs. W. G. and G. F. Grace, Boult, and Gilbert had some practice, and were closely criticised. All took the field together again at 11a.m. on AVednesday, on which day the weather was splendid, and at 2 p in the gentlemen of the team were the guests of the promoters at the Athenamm Club. The dates on which the team' will visit the various country towns, and fulfil their engagements are not yet definitely fixed, but we give the followas the probable programme : Jan. 1,2, 3—y. 22 of Ballarat, at Ballarat. Jan. 7, 8, 9—v. 22 of Stawell, at Sta. well. Jan. 14,15,16—v. 22 of Western District, at Warrnambool. Jan. 23,21, 26—v. 22 of Sydney, at Sydney. Jan. 29,30,31—v. 22 of Bathurst District, at Bathurst. Feb. 5, 6, 7—v. 22 of Sydney at Sydney. Matches will then be played at the following places, in the order named : Launceston, Melbourne, Sandhurst, Maryborough, Moonta (S.A.), and lastly at Melbourne again, for the windup match, the team's opponents on this occasion being the best players of the colonies conjoined.