The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1878-10-22 00:00:00

CRICKET CLUB SUPPER.

The tine new Amend.ly-room at the Royal Victoria
Hotel, Portland, was turned to good acmunt on Thursday
evening last, when the energetic inhabitants of Portland
who constitute the Cricket Club in summer, and have the
Te..t to dlo with the Football Club in winter, had their
annual supper, which is a capital occasion for the gather-
ing of friends. The Rector of Portland. Rev../. A. Relator,
presided, and was supported by Mr. It. N. Howard
(Weymoothl. and Mr. Targett Mr. Frank Wills (hon,
secretary) ably discharged the duties of vice-chairman.
.tnoingst those pre-ent were Mr. Russell, Mr. Collins, Dr.
Rae, Mr. Malt, Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Dieterle, Dr. F.
Persona, Mr. Watson, Dr. Stone, 11.-N., Mr. Parson, Dr.
Sullivan, Mr. .1. Rod, My R. lbolder, Mr. J. llo.bler, Mr.
.1. Winter, Mr. Major, Mr. Barnes. jun., Mr. It. Sows),
jun., lie. Mcl.an, Mr. Crocker, Mr. Galpin, Dr. Walker,
Mr. Driver, Mr. Cooke, Mr. 11. Pearce, Mr. Westland,
Mr. Jollilfe, Mr. Johnstone, Mr. W. T. Roberts, Mr. NV.
M. Thiselton, Mr. J. Barnes, Mr. Cook (Queen's Hotel),
Mr. Saloom, Mr. 11. Reynolds Mr. Reynolds, (the old
Rank), Mr. Ilatton,Mr. Smith. Mr. Curtis (Weymouth),
Mr. Board (Royal Hotel), and Mr. J. S. 11.1sdon.
The room is exceedingly neat and chaste in its style
and tittimni, and it a greataddition to the itatherin.pplaces
of the Island : the tablru were adorned with dowers, and
the worthy host and hostess provided a capital and well.
cooked repast, the game being particularly good, and the
pastry excellent ; it was heartily enjoyed, the waiting
being all that could he deeiresl.
. .

A choice dessert being placed melba table, the CHAIRMAN
said after having ilitcumeil in a satisfactory manner the
good things so amply provided, they would commence the
after-dinner proceedings by doing honour to the toast of
" our noble and gracious Queen." She it so noble and
good a tovereign that every Englishman regards her with
a tort of penional affection ; her name would be received
with every demonstration of loyalty and devotion,
especially in an assembly of cricketers, for they were
essentially loyal.—(lteceived with enthusiasm.)

The (sillos remarked the next toast was often
joined with the lent; but Portlanders and cricketers
especially are no intensely loyal that they liked to have as
much of the Royal Family as possible. The Prince of Wales
is a keen lover of every manly sport, and cricket, while
doin.; all sorts of good things, tends to make and keep
men loyal. (Applause.) Ile believed that disloyalty and
political intrigue are generally found among people who
spend a gond.leal of time indoors while those, who work or
play out-of-doors have plenty of pure air and healthy
exercise, which serve to clear the mind, and keep the
bean generous, no that it would be exceedingly difficult
to find a political agitator or disloyal person among
cricketers. He gave the "health of the Prince and
Princess of Wales, and the met of the Royal Family,"
which was heartily received.
. . . . .

T;;;;1"-ITztexpectedly called to prose
the next toast; but it was very acceptable to them—" The
Bishop and eler;ry of the Diocese. No better class of
men can exist than the clergy, and all felt pleasure in
having so good • representative present m their worthy
rector. Mr. Hearer. (.I.pelatlee,) . .

The Cif ono tv felt olinewhat as • man muat feel when
hie wife had present.' him with twirui, for in Icing called
on to re+pond for the Biahop and clergy, he feltoverweighted
with the clerical clement- But he need never be ashamed
of his brethren, beam.'e no body of men have better
characters, or do more for the happiness of their fellow.
men, than the clergy. They deserve especially the good.
will of gentlemen interested in cricket, because the
clergy have oleo • keen interest in it moot of them did a
good deal of cricket in their younger dant, lame are
afterward+ even found in the cri..ket-fiell, and are always
glad to know the club of their pariah or town is flourishing.
(Applause.)
f..ong, Mr. Westland : "Let me kir him for his
mother."
_ _ . . . . .

The Vici-CHArlink.r, in laving the " Army, Navy.
and Volunteers," mentioned that gentlemen of them
services were among the supporters a their club, Captain
the Hon. E Digby is a prominent hon, member, the
Navy authorities they had to thank for the loan of the
only cricket ground to be got in Portland—(applause)—
and among the Volunteers is the worthy president, Major
O.K Eliot 4th D.V.A., and 'Lieut. Mac Lean ls a playing
member. (Three times three.)
Mr. Ravagers was called upon to respond for the Nary.
What had taken place during the last twelve months
justified his statement that we shall always find English-
men in Engliehmen's places —(applause)—and all belong-
ing to the Navy and Army will be found in their places at
all timm Even the Army Reserve men, when called upon
to leave, most of them thorough good situations, had done
so, and taken the miserable pay of the Army, to their loss
and England's credit. (ApplAuse.) Where such a feeling
exists am mg soldiers and sailors, England will never fall,
and he believed Englishmen are as good to-day an they
were in the tune of Nelson. The bloolsill never 'listen-
erste, and as long as England exists, the Army and Nary
will do their work when called on. (Applause-)
Mr. COLLIN.% also responded.
Dr. hf•cLtax (Lieut. 4th D.V.A.) in responding for the
volunteers, spoke of the success of the Portland Volunteers
at camp, a success which had led to their enlisting no
leas than 30 reeruits—(applatise)—mad he hoped Portland
will mai be able to bout no less than two volunteer com-
panies (Applause) In like manner, he hoped the success
I of the Portland Cricket Club would bud to • vary great
increase, not only in the number of members, but of
playing ones. (Applaow.)
Fumy Dr. Walker: "Come, lasses and lads."
The CHAIRMAN next asked them to drink success to the
good came which brought them together to-night—that of
the Portland Cricket Club. He was glad to hear from the
hon secretary's report that the club loins flourishing con-
dition ; one circumstance must be especially gratifying to
members—their success in playing with other clubs
Thirteen victories had been secured out of 15 matches,
thus proclaiming the honourable position of this club.
Tit' ugh ,n the report referenee is made to a small defiat
of Lis. hi, yet the financial position, he would venture to
, my, Is very satisfactory, for at the end of the report, he
' learnt the members have an accumulsred capital, Invested
In plant, ae , of no less thane quarter of a hundred pomade.
That proved the good management, energy, and Prudence
of those who were at the head of affairs Why! if some men
had been there, sane of the money would have teen in-
vested in baby farming, or City of tibugew bank sharer;
but with such careful men as Mr. Wills and Mr. Hodasloa,
there was net the least fear of baby farming. (Laughter,
other names of members being called.) The Chairman
continued the members of the club generally seemed
averse to baby farming. (Laughter.) He went on to note
there was • pleasing reference in the report to the unity
and good feeling amongst the members—that is very
mtidactory, and shows Qe club is not • bear garden, nor
like the place of Mrs. Caudle's curtain lectures, where the
members air their grievances; it is for cheerful, friendly
rivalry, for hearty athletic competition and cheery good
fellowship. With the toast he Should give the !LOMA of
Mr. Hodulon, and Mr. Wills—(applause,—and as, one of
the clergy of this place, he wiahed to thank thesis sad
the members of the club generally for providing a innaly
and honourable form of recreation for the inhabitants
who wish to join. The motto " Unity is strength" ha
wished them to remember, and to maintain that good
feeling and understanding among themselves is the very
best way to be understood of the peopla—(The toast was
received with honours.)
Mr. Flummox, the captain, was met, on rising, with
great applause, and he returned thanks. In the matches
played, the club had got on very well indeed ; it was not
many clubs who could say. —" We have won 13 out of 15,"
and he hoped they would go on as well in future.
(Applause)
Mr. F. Witts, hon. see., also responded. It gave him
further pleasure, because the compliments showered by
Mr. nearer on the club, he perfectly believed and meant,
As to any services as hon. see., it had given him the
pratest pleasure to work in order to keep the dub going'
but it would be quite impossible to do so unless he hid
been hooked on by • thorough', teed working committee.
(dflfiliaillo The Welted Makin ba thaakad ke alwiTs

coming forward whenever possible, to Play in the
matcher ; but one unfortunate part of the report showod
they hail kid two matches, one against Weymouth
i
perhale ime of the strum/est clubs in the county, and
another against perhapo one of the weakest. The being
of there susteles was attributable te the fact that their
members could not go out and play a day's match very
frequently. The committee fancied that by paying the
expenses of locomotion, the railway and the break, they
might get playing membero out more cmily ; but no, it was
not a question of expense, their own could not go out for
a day, so they could not get their lest elevens. Had their
best eleven played at Weruouth, be did not my they
would have won ; but they d have made it uncommonly
hot for thew- (Applause.) Ac to the play at WooL
circuinstamm went to show that if Portland hail had their
best eleven, it would not have been a question whether
they would have won or not, but whether they would not
have beaten in one innings. (Applause.)
Song, Mr. Merrett : "Give me the man of honest heart."
Dr. RAE pmposed the health of the Honorary and non-
playing members The funds received from working or
playing members would have been quite unequal to carry
the club through the season. were it for the non.playing
and honorary members. When he (Dr. Itae) Joined the
cWh. it was very small lint now they were able to accept
offers to play and go boldly out and breathe the air of the
country Or of the mountains, awl boat, or get beaten by
their opponents, thanks to the him. members. It. men-
tioned the name. of Dr. Parsono, Dr. McLean, Mr—Joseph
Wallis, Mr. JII
Joseph Score, Mr. . Russell, Mr. A. Wallis.
and Mr. Winter. (Applaw:e-)
Dr. Poisoss. responding, mid he certainly ilid try to do
• trifle e ith the bat; but he could quite understand the
opinion of the worthy secretary—that he was not a playing
member. AA a ley he was foal of the game ' hut he got
such lurk that he was intimidated in future. (Applatioo.)
Dr. McLE.sx would be glad to play if his sight were
better; but his I.ly CAMS in for • large share of the
howling. Of late year+ he had taken more to rifts:shooting,
and that wax the reason of his not playing. (Applause)
Mr. WILLIS also responded.
Mr. SCORE, jun., responding, hoped the club would have
still more sureoss in future, AIM though he feared his
playing days were over, if he could render any asestanCe.
' he should lie glail. (Applauae.)
Mr. 11. Ittelgo. Abe responded, and said the Portland
club hart been in successful, he wondered they did not
challenge the Australian team.—(Laughter, and applause.)
Mr. WINTER, after returning thanks, suggeoted the
worthy secretary and captain should provide anus nice
meats, for friends to sit and watch the gam..
Song, Mr. Hodulon "The Skipper and his boy."
Song Mr. Johnson "The Bell Ringer.'
Mr. Boor proposed " ths health of the Umpire and
Scorer, Mr. Parties and Mr. Ratcliffe.' (Applause.)
When • buy he played for Weymouth against Portland,
and well remembered the tunpire for the Portland dub,
Mr. John Itarnes. (Applause.) Ile had always given
satisfaction by the equity of his decisions—not only to them
but to their opponents, and was always there, so con-
tinually that Portland would hardly seem the name club
without Mr. Barnes. (Applause.) Mr. Ratcliffe, the
scorer, wax always present when his could. sod lately had
taken the duties of property man, awl ably carried out
all his duties. (Applau-e.)
Mr. BARNES humorously returned thanks.
Mr. RATCLISTE said if he RIB not always present he had
a worthy substitute in Mr. Collins. As to the property,
the club had everything good for cricket. He also spoke
of the good room they kal, and wished /mother room to
be provided for their playing Melton to dress and undress
in.

—The CHAIRMAN could not conceive a more honourable
service or more easing duty than presenting to the
suecesdul what they had gained. He was called on to
hand a presentation bat each, to Mr. Westland and Mr.
liodsdon. (Applause.) No doubt Mr. Westland would
prefer it should be presented by a charming young lady;
but Mr. Hodsdon would be able to receive the praise
which no one ought ever to value so much RA when it came
from his own wife. (Applause) Should Mr. Westland
win the presentation bat next year, he hoped he might be
in as fortunate position as Mr. Hodsdon, and be able to
show it to his wife. (Applause.) He trusted thaw who had
won so gallantly might have strength and health to enjoy
the use of the bats, and wield them to the consternation
of those who may challenge the Portland Cricket Club
(Applause.)
The willows were inscribed as follows P.C.C.
Presented to Mr. S. Westland, for highest average score.
WA" " P.C.C. Presented to Mr. J. H. HodAoti, for
average howling. 11470_."
Mr. WFMTLAND arid Mr. IIODSDON were mach applauded
and expres•ed their thanks.
Song, Mr. Pearce : "The Fine Old English Gentleman."
Dr. Paitsous pro:mood "The health ot the Chairman,"
to which the Rev. J. A. Bemor retnonded.
The VICI-CHAIRMAN proposed The visitors,' coupled
with the names of Mr. Curtia, of Mews. Cooke, and Mr.
Reynolds.
Mr. Curtis and Mr. Reynolds responded.
TheCnatanms in very kind terms proposed "The Prost."
which was heartily received.
The Company separated about 11 o'cicck, well pleased
with dais agreeable evening.