CRICKET IN NELSON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 51, 1 March 1875, Page 2

CRICKET IN NELSON.

[Bt an Old Cricketer.] As one wbo has often taken part in the glorious game of cricket, and who still delights in looking oo at a well contested match such as that which was finished on Saturday, I should like to be allowed to say a few words iv your columns, in wbich prominence has always been given to everything connected with this game, about cricket in Nelson. The receot match with Wellington has undoubtedly given a fillip to tbis fine old English sport, and as the few remarks I am about to make are written with a desire to encourage our local players, I should like them to appear at onee — if they are deemed worthy of appearing at all— as I believe in " striking tbe iron while it is hot." First, with regard to the ground. There is a very fair " wicket" in Victory Square, but outside the 22 yards by 4 or so, the less that is said about it tbe better. Now as many people wbo are not actual players appear to derive great pleasure from looking on at a match, ond from this it is fair to arrive at the conclusion that the game is a popular one, I think that an appeal to the public for assistance in putting and keeping the ground in order should meet with a ready response. Tbe members of the cricket club are not numerous, and cannot be expected to undertake the whole expense themselves, nor should they be, for cricket, I look upon it, ought to form part of the education of our juveniles, and, iv order to carry it out effectively, a really good ground should be provided, especially for show days, for such I may call those days on which the more important matches are played. There will never be practice without tbe hope of ita being turned to account iv matches, aod there never will be firstrate matches until there is a first-rate ground. Therefore, I—enthusiast I may be called—argue that, it being the duty of »he seniors to see that the juniors are instructed in cricket, they should take care that ample facilities are afforded tbem for attaining proficiency in the game. Ergo, the public should be iuvited to subscribe, for this purpose. And for another as well. Cricketers always play better when there are a number of spectator-!. 1 here is an honorable desire among them to excel in the eyes of the lookers-on. In order that this encouragement may be afforded to them, induciments, in the shape of some degree of comfort, Bhould be held out to visitors. This may be done easily, and without much expense. Clumps of trees should be planted arid fenced, $nd seats erected in different parts of the field. A very little bard cash should do this!, for f if-^p 1 appeal were maie to the Provincial Government, they surely would not hesitate to allow the prisoners

to be employed for a fortnight or even a month in each year io pet lorming tho necessary work. To my thinking, there is at present a misunderstanding between the public and the cricketers. The former cay, "Oh, we don't care to come and see your match, because you don't practise, and we feel sure you will be beaten " The cricketers, I imagine, reason in this way, "We don't bother to practise as much as we ought to do, because although we delight in the game, the public don't offer to us that incentive wbich we require in the shape of faking a general and practical interest in our proceedings." The publio want some attraction, the cricketers some encouragement. Could not means be devised by which a mutual accommodation could be arrived at ? There is another matter which, I scarcely think, is sufficiently considered by tbe outside public. Every cricket match involves a certain amount of expense. There are lunches and dinners to be provided, Bnd several other leaks are created in the pockets of the players, through whicb shillings and half-crowns find their way, and I suspect that this has tbe effect of keeping many a good crickeier from taking a prominent part in the bigger performances of his club. If the gentry of the place and others who can afford it would subscribe but a small sura annually tbis drawback would at once be removed I do not see that giving my uame would add weight to the remarks I have made, but with this paper I mean to forward a pound to the editor of tbe Mail, as my Grst annual subscription to a Neleon Cricket Fund, and I hope that very many others will give their mites, for, if ensured against pecuniary lobb, I feel sure that many embryo cricketers who now keep in the background for the simple reason thpt they cannot afford to be put to expense, will come to tbe fore, while such a movement would bave the additional effect of assuring tbe cricketers that tbe public take a real interest iv their proceedings. In fairness to the Nelson Club, I think it due to tbem to say that I am not one of them, nor am I in any way connected witb them. I merely write as one who was convinced by what I bbw on Friday and Saturday tbat the material is not wanting for forming in Nelson and tho suburbs a club, or clubs, of which the province need never be ashamed. I write in earnest 1 , and I hope to ccc my suggestions fukeu up and acted upon in earnest. The breeches pocket argument is generally a powerful one, so I will add it. Has not tbe visit of the Wellington people to the regatta and cricket match done good to the place. If it has,- let us try and get them over again next year by offering them tho inducement of meeting a foe worthy of their nsh nnd willow.