AN EXPLANATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume I, Issue 21, 13 November 1879, Page 4

AN EXPLANATION.

To the Editor.

Sib—My attention has been called to a paragraph headed “ ungentlemanly behaviour” appearing in the last issue of your morning contemporary, and to avoid any misunderstanding between the cricketers of Mount Somers and Ashburton. Perhaps you will allow me to state more fully the circumstances there alluded to. A cricket match between Mount Somers and Ashburton has for some time been regarded as an annual fixture, but unfortunately this season cricket has not flourished in the former district. However, Mr Lovell kindly promised to endeavor to form a team to meet a few private friends from Ashburton on the Bth inst., and about the Ist inst. wrote to MrM a i nwar i n g a dvisiug that he had succeeded in his efforts. In the meantime I had endeavored to collect a representative team from Ashburton, but owing to prior local engagements I found it impossible, and on Mr Lovell’s letter being handed to me I wrote the following reply on 3rd inst :—“ I regret to find that it will be impossible for us come up for cricket match on Saturday, but if the following Monday, 10th inst., would suit you, I should be happy to bring up a team on that day. I trust that this alteration will not cause you any inconvenience, and that the later day will suit you." To this Mr Lovell replied in a letter which I have not his permission to publish, and on the 6th inst. 1 again wrote as follows : “ I am favored with yours of date, and regret to learn that you will be un able to meet us on Monday. I hope, however, that later in the season we may have that pleasure. Please note that 1 am alone to blame for any misunderstanding in this matter.’ - Hoping that this explanation will be satisfactory to our Mount Somers friends, and not too great a tres pass on your columns, I am, &c., S. Saunders.