Cricket 1909

CRICKET: a w e e k ly r e c o r d o f t h e g a m e . JANUARY 28, 1909. "Together joined in Cricket's manly toil.”— Byron. N o . 800 . v o l . x x v i i i . THURSDAY , JANUARY 28, 1909. o n e p e n n y . ch a t s on t h e c r ic k e t f i e l d . M b . G. F. HEAENE. Since the publication of the last number of Cricket it has been announced that Mr. Hearne, who had been Pavilion Clerk at Lord’s since 1873, has resigned h;s posi­ tion on account of ill-health. Thirty-six years is a long period in any man’s life, but it may truly be added that nobody would, except by accident, imagine that the subject of these remarks had put in such a length of service, for time has dealt very kindly with him, and he carries his fifty-seven years with an ease— we almost wrote school-buoyancy —which most men several years his junior might well envy. Had the fates decreed that he was to adopt cricket as a profession it is probable that he would have done remarkably well, for, even with limited opportunities, he proved himself a very capable player. Furthermore, it would be difficult to imagine a member of the Hearne family taking seriously to the game without achieving distinction. There is no present need to enter into a detailed history of the family, for the subject was dealt with at some length in these columns less than a couple of years ago ; suffice it to say, therefore, that “ G.F.” , as he is familiarly known, is a son of “ old ” Tom, nephew of “ old” George, and cousin of “ G.G.” , Frank, Alec., Herbert, Walter, and “ J.T.” But this is not all that can be said, for a brother, T. A. Hearne, is the present Ground Superintendent at Lord's, and a son, T. J., a promising young cricketer, was given a “ trial” last season with Middlesex in their match with the Philadelphians at Lord’s ; he was sent for at the last moment, however, and arrived on the ground when so much progress had been made with the game—it was completed in a day—that he did not take any part in it, although his name appeared on the score-card and he would have batted in the second innings of the County had it been necessary. In addition, as will be explained later, William Hearn, of Hertfordshire, was distantly related, notwithstanding that his name was spelt differently from that of the better known players. “ G.F.” himself has had the remarkable experience of p’ aying in M.C.C. matches for thirty-two consecutive seasons and of captaining a side for thirty six years without a break, Photo by\ course, in every match, for his presence was , the office, sometimes required elsewhere. The club j members over thirty seasons with the late Mr. J. A. Murdoch, who had been appointed in the previous year to succeed Mr. Sidney Dark as Assistant-Secretary to the M.C.C. and Clerk to the Committee. Mr. Murdoch’s tenure of office was closed by d<ath; “ G.F.’s ” owing to an accident. In April though not, of last the latter was unfortunate enough to trip on the first floor landing of his house, with the result that he turned a series of somersaults down the complete length of an old-fashioued circular staircase. He was hurt not a little, and it was small consolation to be told by his doctor that the damage would have been more severe had hi* head not been so thick. Six months later he sustained another fall, and, by a regrettable coincidence, received a severe blowron the head precisely on the spot which had received the most damage before. He obtained leave to go to Littlehampton to pull round, but the pains in his head troubled him to such an extent that he decided to send in his resignation. It is with pleasure one can add that the M.C.C. have shown their appreciation of his services by grauting him a pen­ sion, and everyone who knows him will hope that he will live long to eujoy it. Concerning his early years at Lord's Mr. Hearne says:—“ When I first went there Mr. 11. A. Fitz­ gerald was Hon. Secretary to the M.C.C., andI was with him for three years. There was com­ paratively litt’e clerical work in those days, and therefore I was ordered to bowl at the nets and play in out matches when re­ quired, and also to help Mr. Fitzgerald at big match tima— such as Oxford v. Cambridge and Eton v. Harrow. Gradually, how­ ever, the membership of the Club increased, which meant less active cricket for me and more time in There were about two thousand then ; now there are over five, [Russell J j Sons, Baker Street , London. M r . G. F. H earne . which he led for so prolonged a period was ! and thousands of candidates waiting to be |originally known as the St. John’s Wood elected. At the time I enterel upon m.y Ramblers, a name which was subsequently duties at Lord’s, Mr. Fitzgerald had recently changed to Cross Arrows. returned from his trip to America. Although Mr. G. F. Hearne, who commenced his not a big-built man, he had a fine presence, duties at Lord’s in 1873, was associated for and one could not fail to be struck by his