The Northern Tour.

The team, composed of Dempsey, Caddick, Griffiths, Salmond, Stuart, Le Cren, Martin, McConnell, and Broad, left Wellington by the Main Trunk express on the morning of Saturday, 23rd December, 1911. At Hamilton, where we played our first game against the South Waikato Association, we picked up Jackson and Howden. The game began on Monday (Christmas Day), but after two hours' play, rain set in, and put further play out of the question. On resuming on Tuesday, our opponents made 209. To this we replied with 125, and were thus beaten on the first innings by 84 runs. We left Frankton for Auckland by the morning train on Wednesday, 27th December.

The game against Auckland University began on the Thursday. Dempsey won the toss, and decided to bat, but rain again stopped the game after half-an-hour's play. The next day we continued batting, but managed to make only 65. Over our shocking display of fielding, whilst the Auckland team were batting, it were best to draw a kindly veil. It is sufficient to note that at least fifteen catches were missed in the field. Auckland declared with five wickets down for316, and had no trouble in disposing of us for 48 in our second innings, thus beating us by an innings and 203 runs.

Saturday and Sunday we spent in Auckland seeing the sights. On the Monday we took the down express for Taumarunui, and page 80 on Tuesday played the King Country representatives at Manunui. To most of us the fast matting wicket came with something of a shock after the turf, and we managed to put together only 76, This total is perhaps accounted for by the fact that several of our men had been at a dance the night before, and as a consequence came on the field rather seriously affected in the cardiac regions. Our opponents made 237, and in our second innings we had two wickets down for 75, when our old friend the rain remembered us, and effectually put an end to the game.

Next morning (Wednesday) we caught the express—fortunately, an hour late—for Marton, and in the afternoon commenced a game against a Marton eleven. After a due adjournment through the rain, we completed our innings for 49 runs, McConnell, to his own surprise and delight, contributing 19. Marton made 121 in their first innings. That night we were most hospitably entertained at the Marton Club, and subsequently at a neighbouring bazaar, where one of the team supplied a very enjoyable and unlooked-for entertainment. We began our second innings next morning, but made only 59, and were thus beaten by an innings and 13. That night we took the train for Palmerston.

On Friday we played an eleven representing the Old Boys of the High School, and for the first time the fickle goddess smiled on us. Palmerston made 109. To this we replied with 223; Dempsey (43), Caddick (37),Broad (30), and Howden (2 being the chiel contributors. At the call of time Palmerston had made 178 for seven wickets.

We took the early train from Palmerston next morning, and arrived in Wellington at mid-day, concluding a tour which no member of the team is likely to forget. From the point of view of cricket the tour was an excellent experience for everyone, and though we came off sadly second best in nearly every game, the ultimate good we derived from our experience was demonstrated by our decided improvement in championship games in the latter half of the season. It only remains for us to express the Club's gratitude to our many friends up-country for the kindness and hospitality with which we were everywhere received.

There seems to be every chance of our playing Canterbury College and Otago University at Christmas time. If these two games do eventuate, the incoming Committee would do well to try to arrange a Southern tour to fill up the fortnight's holiday. Matches nodoubt could be arranged at Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru. All members might bear this in mind.