THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1016, 27 September 1877, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

At a recent meeting of the Otago Cricket Association, the Secretary read a letter from Mr John Conway, agent for the Australian Eleven, to the following effect: —

Sir —I wish to bring under the notice of your Association the fact that a team of Australian cricketers intend visitingthe Old Country during the next English cricket season, and that prior to their departure they contemplate playing four matches in New Zealand (if sufficient inducement is held out to them) —viz., one each at Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland. In return, wo ask from each place the sum of ASU towards the expenses of the trip, the use of the ground free of charge, with the right t) sell booth sites thereon. We to play a "three days’ match in each of the above-named districts. Should our negotiations result successfully, we will play our first match about the middle of next January —in Otago, most probably. The Secretary read also the following letter from the Hon, Secretary of the Canterbury Cricket Association: — Dear Sir, —I enclose for your information an extract from a letter lately received by Mr T. S. Sweet (and handed by him to mo) from Mr J. Conway, in reference to the visit of an Australian eleven to New Zealand. “ I wish to bring under the notice of the principal cricket clubs of New Zealand the fact that a team of Australian cricketers intend visiting England during the next English cricket season, and that prior to starting they contemplate, if sufficient inducement is held out, to play four or five matches in New Zealand. Our requirements for the privilege of a visit are that each of the following places, Canterbury, Otago, Wellington, and Auckland, guarantee us the sum of ASO towards expenses, or D2OO in all, and to give ns the grounds free of charge, with the right to sell booth sites, &c. Wo in return to play a three days’ match at each place against the cricketers of the several above-mentioned districts. Now, sir, you are a moving spirit in cricketing circles in New Zealand, and I trust I

would not be encroaching upon your generosity in asking you to bring this matter before the notice of the Canterbury Association, and also to act as a kind of centre from which negotiations rc our visit and the raising of the guarantee could be carried out.” In reference to the above I am requested to inform you that anxious as Canterbury cricketers are to sea an Australian eleven visit Christchurch, a very strong feeling prevails that we cannot under any circumstances accept the terms that Mr Conway proposes, as the expenses of the match would in that case be far too great. We are prepared to guarantee Mr Conway >£so, and give him half gate money, and half booth money, reserving the remainder for expenses attendant on the match, and we think that if the other towns of New Zealand referred to in Mr Conway’s letter would coincide with our views Mr Conway could be induced to accept the terms we propose. lam writing a similar letter to the present to Mr Rice, of Auckland, and to Mr Edmonds, of Wellington ; and, begging you to lay the matter before the Cricket Association of Dunedin, and that you will favor me with an answer at your earliest convenience—l am, &c., H. H. Secbetan, Hon. Sec., Canterbury Cricket Association.

The secretary said that these letters had been considered at the last committee meeting of the Association, and as the annual meeting was close at hand, it was thought better to hold the matter over. He pointed out that they would have to play a match with Canterbury, and that would take £SO. It would be very injudicious to go again to the public. If the Australian team worked up the matter properly, it should pay them. The Englishmen took £4OO at the gates here, and if the Australians could clear £2OO in each of the four principal places in the colony, they would get £BOO, which would pay them well. He would be prepared to give them the privileges of the ground, but let them do without the £SO, It must not be forgotten that if they play the Australians in January, and have to play the Christchurch team either before or after, the receipts from this last match would be materially affected. Mr F. Fulton moved—“ That, providing the ground can be secured without expense, the association offer the Australian Team the free use of the ground, but nothing more.” Mr Tait seconded the motion.

Mr G. K. Turton said the Australians should not be placed in a false light. The association was not in a position to offer any inducement, and he would therefore move—- “ That the association cannot guarantee either £SO or the ground.” Mr Paramor seconded the amendment.

Mr Rose thought that if Mr Conway were written to, as suggested by Mr Turton, it would be equivalent to saying that the Dunedin cricketers did not wish to see the Australian cricketers, and he was sure that all present would be very glad to see them. Mr Eva moved, as a further amendment—- “ That the matter be referred to the committee, with power to act, provided no money guarantee be given.” Having been duly seconded, the last amendment was put, and carried, only two persons dissenting.