LORD HARRIS ON AUSTRALIAN CRICKET.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1205, 18 March 1880, Page 3

LORD HARRIS ON AUSTRALIAN CRICKET.

In Lillywhite's Annual for 1880 is a chatty paper by Lord Harris on the doiuga oi his Eleven in Australia. Concerning Evans he says : — " In my opinion he is certainly the best bowler we met in Australia — very high action, faster than Alfred haw, greater acou acy with alteration of pace and pitch, and a decided work from the off. Evans is besides a veiy steady bat, sure catch, and first rate field, and certainly the best all-round cricketer in th 9 Colonies.'* In his concluding remarks he ways: - - " From a cricket point of view, was onr trip a success? I say decidedly yes ; for though we should have done infinitely better if we had fielded as we can at Home, mo r e could hardly be expected of us, wher the class of bowling we had with usiß taken into consideration. Our failure in catching I attribute solely to the light, which is very dazzling to those accustomed to sombre skies. Our batting everyone must allow was wonderful ; to average over 200 runs per completed innings, some matche • beinsr against odds, and three against as good bowling as there is to be found in the world, is an unsurpassed performance. I think I am not assuming too much when I say that with one other first-class bowler and a practised wicket-keeper (for Mr Hone had no practice whatever on fast wio «ets), our total amount of victories would have left no room for complaint. And now a few words as to Australian cricket. Firstly, the sooner Australian umpires are employed throughout the colonies the better for cricket. However impartial they may be, it is utterly impossible for an amateur to get sufficient practice to insure his making the fewest mistakes possible. No umpire can help making some errors, but a pro l essional umpire is bound to make fewer than an amateur. With the argument that an amateur umpire is more honest than a professional I have nothing to do, because it i<4 introducing into the game a question with which we have no acquaintance in England, and which I believe Australians, if they could and would but make the change, would find to be nothing but a chimera of their own making. Secondly, in my humble judgment, the Australian* h»ive mastered the art of bowling more thoroughly than we have. They try to perfect themselves in it more than in the other departments of the game; they only play matches twice a wee , and on the other four afternoons are continually practising bowling, and the advantages they have over us im weathers and seasons will tell to such an extent that in the course of a few years I believe as good a team will be turned out of the colonies combined, as can be out of the Old Country. And lastly, I wonld say, in all good feeling, let the game be played in no cavilling mood, but with a steady determination to abide by the rules of the game in a conciliatory spirit, and if it exists, let the 'professional' betting element be eradicated from the cricket field. The honest excitement of a match wants no such mercenary aid. I hope that my friends in Australia will feel that these remarks are offered in no spirit of captious critioism, but from a devoted admiration for the noblest and manliest of games, and f-om an earnest desire for its improvement as well abroad as at home."

The new Pure Cash System now being initiacdt by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery, millinary, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear a portion of the loss should the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and are detirmmed to give the pure cash system a fair trial ; whether they gain or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods at co-operative prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of fi\c per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. &. C. having realised the entire \alue of their stock during their l«ite cash sale, the present stock is nhw *\d chuai-lv bought. An inspection is invited.— Garlhk and Cranw ell, City Hall Furnishing Arcade, Quccnstrcct, Auckland.