Arthur Cecil Rolleston (13 December 1867 – 28 September 1918) was a New Zealand cricketer and lawyer who played two matches of first-class cricket for Canterbury in 1890 and 1891.[1]

Mary and William Rolleston and their children in 1888; Arthur Rolleston is seated at left

Life and career

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One of the sons of the prominent New Zealand politician William Rolleston, and a grandson of the Christchurch pioneer Joseph Brittan, Arthur Rolleston was educated in Christchurch at Christ's College (1878–1886) and Canterbury College. In 1884, he was senior Somes Scholar.[2][3] He was admitted as a solicitor in 1891 and as a barrister in 1900.[4] On 14 August 1899 at St Luke's Church in Christchurch, he married Ruby Mildred Buckley, the youngest daughter of George Buckley. The explorer George Buckley thus became his brother-in-law.[5]

Described by a contemporary newspaper as a "very dashing left-handed bat",[6] Arthur Rolleston had little success in his brief first-class career, totalling only 16 runs in his two matches. However, his score of 9 not out in his second match was the top score in Canterbury's first innings of 50.[7]

Rolleston worked as a lawyer, mostly in Christchurch but also later in the Chatham Islands. He died aged 50 after striking his head when he fell in the street while visiting Wellington.[8] At the time of his death, his wife had been living in England for some time.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Arthur Rolleston". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  2. ^ Macdonald, George. "Macdonald Dictionary Record: William Rolleston". Macdonald Dictionary. Canterbury Museum. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Fatal Fall: Death of Mr. A. C. Rolleston". Star. 30 September 1918. p. 6.
  4. ^ "A Street Fatality". Evening Post. 30 September 1918. p. 8.
  5. ^ "Marriage". The Star. No. 6564. 15 August 1899. p. 3. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Cricket". New Zealand Mail. 27 March 1891. p. 12.
  7. ^ "Wellington v Canterbury 1890-91". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  8. ^ "A Fatal Fall". Evening Post. 1 October 1918. p. 2.
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