O n the ist November, 1841, a meeting of the Melbourne Cricket Club was held at the Exchange Hotel room, in Collins Street, when an election of a Directory took place, and the following appointments were made, viz. :—President: Mr. F. A. Powlett; Vice-President: Mr. H . F. Gurner; Hon. Sec: Mr. George Cavenagh; Treasurer: Mr. W . V. M'Vitie; Committee of Management: Messrs. D. S. Campbell, C. Thompson, Robert Russell, George Were, Edward Sewell, Redmond Barry, T. F. Hamilton, J. W . Stevens, and Alexander Orr. Office-bearers to be members of Committee. Powlett, Hamilton, and others of the early cricketers, brought their bats with them from H o m e , and Stubbs secured a supply of bats and wickets from lodia. The Tradesmen's or Union Club continued its practice, and in 1842 a Brighton Club was formed, and shortly after a Geelong Club sprang into existence. Frequent matches used to be played at Batman's Hill, with an occasional move to the side of the Flagstaff Hill, and Brighton.
THE
MELBOURNE A N D BRIGHTON
CLUBS
Had in contemplation a match which was long expected, and much talked about. It was at length played on the Easter Monday of 1845 (24th March) near Batman's Hill. There was a grand turn-out of the fashionable world there; and it received a solemn and " learned" imprimatur by the presence of the Superintendent (Latrobe), the Crown Prosecutor (Croke), the Deputy-Sheriff (M'Kenzie), the Crown Solicitor (Gurner), and a large admixture of both branches of the legal profession. The wickets were pitched at noon, and the play commenced with much spirit by the Melbournians going in and scoring 70 runs. The Brightonians then took their first innings, making 62. Both sides next "spelled" (it is not difficult to guess the "spelling-bee" operated upon for half-an-hour), and resumed, when the Melbournians were unable to cope with the terrible bowling of their opponents, and only scored 55. The Brightonians won with ease, and their bowling wasfiguredat 70. It was of such a quality as, according to a cricketing authority, "to do honour to Kent at any time," but the Melbourne fielding was the better of the two. In connection with this match the following incident proves incontestably that there are times when, even in the cricketfield,an outsider may score a large innings : A Mr. John Highett was amongst the players, and being a gentleman whose purse never ran below low water-mark, on this day he had ,£500 worth of bank notes in one of his coat pockets. Stripping for the game, he unthinkingly left the money where it was, and placed his coat where he could conveniently find it when the fun was over. As dressing time arrived, the garment was non est, and the batsman had to return home sans coat or cash. The thief was, however, so conscientious, that next day the habiliment was found done up as a parcel, and deposited near the door of the Police Court. Though un-noted, it was labelled, and addressed to the care of the Chief Constable. N o tidings of the thief or money ever turned up, but there can be little doubt that the paper money was promptly placed in the melting-pot of the publicans, and thus into speedy liquidation. The return match was disposed of near the Brighton Beach on the 5th April. There were a few changes in the individuality of the teams. Brighton took the palm for bowling, and Melbourne forfieldingwhilst it was a drawn battle over the eatables and drinkables at a dinner served at Crosbies Hotel ,n the evening. There was a large influx of visitors from Melbourne, who enjoyed themselves immensely. The score was r-Melbourne.-First innings, 55 ; second innings, 91. First innings, 121; second innings, 13. Total, 134.
Total, i46. Brighton.-
Melbourne was the arena of the conquering match on the 26th April, where the Brightonians
bi; on^thVZeiv;-rry in one innings'm consequence °f—°f the ** M-b—™» First inim;r;rs™;~ribourne-~First inninss's?; second innings'io ^6?- B*°n-
