THE BASIN RESERVE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4376, 30 March 1875, Page 2

THE BASIN RESERVE.

Sm,— Is our recreation ground the property of the public or not ? I ask this question because a boy was refused admittance to-day (Monday) by gatekeepers and policemen, on account of lacking the necessary (I say unnecessary) shilling. Believing this ground to be open at all times to the public, I demanded the boy’s admission ; it was then granted. Presuming this to bo public property, I deny the right of the Athletic Club, Caledonians, or any other society, to refuse admittance to a person because ho is unable to pay the shilling. Colonial amateurs, whether “athletic, musical, theatrical, or anything else, have a very bad habit of taking up the walk of professionals. By this I mean that they seem unable to support their clubs as real sportsmen or lovers of a particular art (cricketers I take to be the best exception to this rule)—they arc over-fond of exhibiting themselves, and, in some cases, attempt to force the public to pay. When professionals apply for privileges in the way of ground, eagerly accorded to amateurs, they often meet with refusals.. Frank Hewitt, the English quarter-mile champion, was refused the privilege of gate-money in at least one of Now Zealand’s principal towns. So I take It that in upholding these amateur affairs unduly, wo are often deprived of the opportunities of seeing much bettor performances by professionals, who, alas, can now scarcely live under this very general plague of amateurs who play at being professionals. —I am, &c., G4.TJC, March 29.