Cricket was played widely in late-19th-century New Zealand, but the elite boys' secondary schools, where many staff were English graduates of Oxford and Cambridge, took it particularly seriously. They regarded cricket as an expression of English culture and a good training in manly character. Wanganui Collegiate School, a private Anglican school, had a proud tradition in cricket and produced many notable first-class cricketers. Walter Empson, headmaster from 1888 to 1909, became president of the New Zealand Cricket Council in 1900 and was especially important in promoting the game at the school. This photograph shows the first XI during his time.
Using this item
Wanganui Collegiate School Museum
Photograph by Frank J. Denton
This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.
Add new comment