Moresby.

Native Cricket Club for Port Moresby.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Port Moresby, June 16.

HIS Excellency, the Lieut. Governor, Sir Hubert Murray, in the pres ence of a large number of Govern ment officials, residents, and natives, officially opened, on June 14, a new native cricket club and grounds, owned by Kapur and his “clan.”

Kapur, the Central Court interpreter, a prominent native of the village, and a member of the village Coun cil, had recently been granted the land by the Government for his club, and it was on his invitation that Sir Hubert Murray and Lady Murray and His Honor Justice Gore and Mrs.

Gore, and other Government officials were present.

An address, written in English, was presented to Sir Hubert, and was read out by the captain of the team. In the address, Kapur and his club mem bers thanked Sir Hubert Murray and

the Government for the gift of the land and for their presence at the opening, at the same time expressing the hope that the land would belong to them for all time.

His Excellency, in reply, thanked Kapur and his club. He pointed out the advantage of cricket as a game for the youth of the village, and voiced his appreciation of the interest they had shown in the sport within the last few years. He expressed a hope that they would continue to do so. The land, he said, was given by the Gov ernment to encourage and interest the youth of the village in sport and activity, as against idleness. He hoped Kapur and his club would take full advantage of it.

Tea was served by the members of the club. Chairs and tables were pro vided by them, as were also the cakes and sandwiches.

The reception of the guests and the address to Sir Hubert Murray were a great credit to the natives, more so when one remembers that fifty years ago these natives were “barbarians.”