OUTSIDE UMPIRES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19162, 19 November 1927, Page 16

OUTSIDE UMPIRES.

•- -♦ REPRESENTATIVE CRICKET COUNCIL TO MEET EXPENSE. The question of umpires has been one of considerable moment in representative cricket in the Dominion in the last few years; and the question' was discussed at length by the delegates at the New Zealand conference last evening. Mr D. Reese said the Council had always felt that it was an unwarranted expense to bring umpires in from outside, and that the local men could give satisfaction. It had been suggested that the Council meet the expense of bringing in outside umpires. Mr M. McLeod (Hawko's Bay) moved that the New Zealand Council appoint the umpires in Hawke Cup matches. The. chairman, Mr E. Heathcote Williams, said these matches deserved thoroughly competent umpires, and he had seen some acting to whom grave exception could be taken. "1 think it would be far better to leave' matters as- they are," said Mr Hayhow (Wanganui). The names of umpires should be sent in by the Association holding the cup. ' Mr D. McKenzie (Wellington) said matches were spoiled by bad umpires, and the. Council should set up a committee to appoint umpires for the test matches. The selection should not be made by the visiting team. He moved that the best umpires in New Zealand act in test matches, regardless of the expense. The latter could be a charge against the »ate. Mr J. Robson (Otago) seconded the motion. ■ .'■ Mr Reese said that, in the case of an umpire who had walked off the j field, he had not been chosen by the visiting team. Christehurch had an I example where the very best umpire I had not been chosen, because it was | not his turn. The umpire in the game ' at Wellington had been chosen from j three names recommended by the Wei- i lington Association. Mr J. S. Barrett (Auckland) eaid tha hands of the Management Committee would be tied if tbi motion was carried. •If the'motion was carried, said Mr McKenzie, the names of competent umpires would be obtained by the Council from the Associations. The motion was carried.