PAYMENT OF UMPIRES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 16, 19 January 1924, Page 13

PAYMENT OF UMPIRES

10 THI EDITOR.

Sir,—Li reading your issue of 15th. January I was much concerned over the discussion which took place over the above; subject by the Wellington Cricket Association: As representing tlie Auckland Umpires' Association, I shall object by all possible means in 'my power to any umpire in my association being paid for his services.! In the first place, when an umpire becomes a professional by being paid for his services, and being under the control of the Cricket Associa- I tion, I consider it will at i once lower the standard of the I Umpires' Association. I know one of the Auckland-um-pires was paid for his services^ during a certain match in, Auckland, whilst more than six equally as good were passed over, thus making this umpire a servant to the Cricket Association for the three days. I sincerely hope, for "Ihe 6ake of cricket, that the Wellington umpires will decline to be paid for their services. Mr. Bock may have been wrong in his decision, but I consider the cricketers are more at fault than tho umpires, on many_ occasions by disputing an umpire's decision, which should be final. This I have found out to my 6orrow during the twenty years I have' been-umpiring. On the last two Saturdays. I have been on the Hutt Cricket Ground, where neither umpire appeared in the usual white coat, and on the first day the wicket-keeper was wearing black clothes.. This is one thing that should not be allowed in first-grade cricket. Had-1 been aware that a meeting of the Wellington Association was being held on 14th January, I should have been only too pleased to have attended, as I consider the question of umpires is one that affects the whole of New Zealand.— I am, etc., S. BOND, President, Auckland Umpires' Association. ' 17th January.