AUSTRALIAN CRICKET ENGLISH.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1852, 20 May 1884, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CRICKET ENGLISH.

Rei'erbixg to the approaching visit to England of the fourth Australian Eleven, James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Companion for ISB4 has thte ' following remarks :— " We are to have another Australian invasion this next summei, and should the colonies send us a thoroughly representative team, such as that of 1882, the interi-st taken in their tour will undoubtedly be of an exceptional character. After Australia had beaten England in ISS2 a singular difference of opinion as to the comparative merits of English and Australian cricketers, was noticeable as existing between the ctieketing and the non-ciicketing pnblic— i.e., those taking an active interest in the game either as players or spectators, and those who /only glance at the result of matches such as Gentlemen v. Players and Oxford v. Cambridge. Whatever doubts they may lia\ c had before the match began, after it w as over the cricketing public were firmly convinced that the result should have been the other way, that the English Eleven were decidedly the stronger team, and would win ts\o matohes out of three. On the other hand, the outside- public accepted the result as conclusive, and the lemaikwas frequently heard that Austiahan cricket was superior to that of the old country. It may be argued that those who study eveiy phase of cricket season after season must be more competent to pronounce an opinion than those only inteiesbed in the game, but it must be boine in mind that the latter are less likely to be biassed, and since the defeat of Mr Bligh's team by Australia at Sydney their opinion has probably been btiengthened. As a matter of fact, however, the only meeting of English with Australian cricketers that cau fairly be accepted ns affording a criterion of ielati\e merit is that at the Oval in ISS2, for England has never got, and never will get, a perfectly representative eleven together to visib the' Antipodes. The question of superiority still hangs in the balance, for e\en Mr Muidoch would not contend tint a margin of seven runs was sufficient to decide it. We look forward to the lesnlts of the great matches of the coming season to furnish us with leliable data upon which to base an opinion, but we are by no meana confident that such data will be forthcoming. And tor several reasons. The chief are, that it is as yet; uncertain whether Australia will be represented by her full sttcngth, and even though three matches may be fixed to be played between the colonists and England, bad weather or long scores will in all probability prevent at least one of them from being played out. In addition to this there is but little chance that we shall be able to muster our best eleven for eacli match, ha\ ing regard to the inordinate length of the first-class county programmes, ami the fact that county ieelmg runs so liiah that not a few cricketers prefer playing in their county eleveu to filling a place in even a leprescntative Ele\en of England. Then, again, we are sure to be handicapped in another most impoitant particular, for whilst the Austialiiius will enjoy all the advantages — and they are many —of having played together in many previous matches, our lepresenUtivea will lack combination. ' Ab against this, however, it must be rememlieied that our elesens will always possess the advantage of knowing the ground upon which a match is played better than their opponents. Ho much by way of anticipation of what may or must happen. It the Australians come to us in full stiength, we have little doubt that the season will be more replete with excitement than any that has preceded U. We only fear that with them and the Philadelphians amongst us there may be an cmbartat, dcs rte/ivsbCi."

Tjik. .snl.iry of the American President is -C'iOjOOO a year. Queen Victoria's income, including the loluius from her piopuit), .imomits to 11000,000, while the Emperor of (tl j i many and King of Italy .uccMch in leceint of a much larger sum. Wj: (" London Society") List week referred to Mis Langtry being so little spoken of just now. A ccncspoiulenfc s-iiuls 113 the following: — "A bronze memorial shb in one, of the church window^ is dedicated ' to the gloiy of God and the memoiy of sik Le Bretons, who for 200 years have been the Deans of Jersey and ha\o officiated in the pulpit of the church. A vacant place in one corner of the slab has been left for the ptesent Dean, the Very Hew W. C. Le Breton. The crest of the lamily, a shield surmounted by a rose, is graven abo\ c the names. The people of St. Heliers say tli.it the present one will be the last member ot the Le Breton family to officiate as Dean of the' Island and lector ot St. Heliers parish church. He is the father of Mrs Langtry, and, like his noted daughter, his name has been too freelyand lightly spoken of. For failure to answ er satisfactory some accusations H ought against him, the Bishop of Winchester, ot whose diocese his deanery is a part, a year ago suspended him from exercising his sacred functions for a buacc of tin cc years. He lives in retirement now ab St. Brelade's ten miles from St. Helieis. He is said to be the handsomest man in Jersey, tall nnd upright in beanng, with a dignified mien and features that closely resemble those of the famous Lily. He is not without many friends in Jersey, however, who attribute his downfall to the extravagant ambition of his family. He long ago was separated from his wife, who is now chaperoning Mrs Langtry in America. Mis Le Breton gave big dinncts to visiting riigm taiies fiom England and broke the Dean up financially, and from this, say those who sympathise with him, began his downward career. When Mrs Langtry went back to Jersey from her school in Paris her beauty attracted much attention. As the Dean's daughter she went into the best society of Jersey. She began to look down on the simple iilandeis. She was what we call a spoilt child. Then came Mr Langtry, a wealthy Londoner, who anchored his yacht in the harbour. He met the beauty, and married her. The ceremony took place in the evening in the Church of S. Saviour. The entire population of the island turned out to witness the wedding, and packed the space in front of the church. The bride, with six biidesmaids all dressed alike, walked down the centre aisle between a double row ot sailois from the yacht, swinging alternative red and white ship's lanterns. After the knot was tied the couple went on board the yacht. The next morning the vessel steamed away to London. That was ten years ago, and since then the Lily has only once returned to her native island. Thiee years since she spent a month at St Brelade's, where she kept proudly aloof from the island society, and passed her time in deep-sea fishing. Ot what her career has been the people in Jersey have only a faint idea. They know she has been a grand lady in London and acquainted with the Prince of Wales. 'But don't you think it is a shame,' said a gentleman the other day, ' for a Dean's daughter to go on the stage ? Vain as she was. we never belie\ ed she would do that.'" Notices by the Hautapu and Te Awamuta poundkeepsrs appear in our advertising columns . The balance sheet of the Newcastle Road Board, is now open for inspection of ratepayers, at the residence of the Chairman, (Mr Corboy,) Whatawbata, Several choice buildinjr' sites 'in the township ot Kihtkihi. and a number of well situafrd suburban allotments, the property of ,the late Mr W, Corboy are advertised for' sale. * Plans may be seen at Mr Corbey's store. , , Yes l^l^is, certainly r tn>e. f -Ask any of your friends who hafe purchased there. Garlick and CranwollJhavo numerous unasked for and very favourable commendations from country customer! on i their excellent packing of ture, , Crockery! an 4 'Glass, &c. . Ladies and gentlemen about to ' furnish should remember that Garlick and Cranwell's is : r«u ■ Cheap jFurnishing Warehouse of Auckland.' Furniture to suit all' clashes : also CJarpets, F^loor' 1 Cldths and all House Necessaries- • If jour new house is ncafly^finish'ed, or, you are goißg>tq get married, visit Garlick and Cranwell/Qifec'nistre'et'ind Lame-street, Auckland. Intendingpin-Qhasori can have a catalogue wAUmnmw* j