NEW CRICKET PITCHES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 192, 10 May 1921, Page 3

NEW CRICKET PITCHES

SOIL ARRIVES FROM NAPIER. Some eighteen tons of soil has been received from Napier by the Wellington City Council to be utilised in tne laying down of new cricket pitches on the Basin Reserve. For gome seasons past it has been realised that the pitches on the Reserve will not stand up to the work in the dry weather. Toward® the end of the second day they begin to crumble, and with bowlers who take advantage of the crumbly patches the wickets become almost unptayabis on tho_third day. It is to remedy this state of things that the Wellington Cricket Association recently approached the City Connci l with a proposal to import a certain kind of soil”from Napier, which had been found effective for pitchmaking there. This was a top soil which came from a quarry near H.M. Prison, on the road from Napier round tr ths breakwater and wharf. This soil has a certain pug-like quality, which, •nablea it to withstand wear, and it does not crumble. The council agreed to experiment with the new soil, the first load of which has come to hand. For Its reception a central pitch in the middle of the Basin Reserve was entrenched, the cut being 9ft. in width, 6 inches in depth, and 25ft. in length. This shallow trench has been filled with the Napier soil, and 'to-day will be sown with gross seed.

Mr. J. M'Kenzi® (director of reserves) said that the soil was brown in colour, and was apparently a mixture of clay, Hand, and lime. It hardened in the wet in a rather remarkable manner, as most soils were inclined to soften un.rs? such conditions. The pitch that has been laid down is in the centre of the Reserve, on the dividing line between the two football grounds, so that the grass nho<ld get a fair show to spring and Toot. It should be ready for use in January uext. .4 pother lot of soil is due fa arrive this week for other pitches.