MEETING OF CRICKETERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4832, 16 September 1876, Page 2

MEETING OF CRICKETERS.

A meeting of cricketers and others interested in the game was held in the large room of the Post-office Hotel last evening. The object of the meeting was to make arrangements for the visit of the All England Eleven to this city. About twenty gentlemen were present, the limited attendance being no doubt owing to the inclement state of the. weather. George Hunter, Esq., M.H.R., presided. Mr. Akmitace read a letter from E. Pearce, Esq., expressing his regret at being unable to attend the meeting. Mr. Pearce had been under the doctor's hands since Monday last, and has been unable to attend to his Parliamentary duties. Mr. Armitage then read the following letter from Mr. Bennett,, agent for the All England Eleven : Emerald Hill, Melbourne, July 14. Deaii Sib,—Hearing that you, the cricketers of New Zealand, are unlikely-to accept the terras offered by me for the privilege of a visit of the All England Eloven to New Zealand, I would like to ascertain what facilities you are prepared to offer if the Eleven visit you at their own risk and responsibility It is the wish of the Eleven to make a cricketing tour through your islands, and it entirely rests witu your cricketers and Cite public whether the Englishmen will meet with your " Knights of the Willow or not during next season. . , ~ . ,_. If Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson, Auckland, and yourselves are -willing to contribute between you £3OO towards the expense of the trip, and give the Eleven the respective cricket grounds free of charge at those places, they will be prepared to visit you. . I need not enlarge upon the great expense tocuma in bringing out to the colonies twelvo of England * champions, a distance of 12,000 miles andyou;are aware that the trip would consume about fifty day». An early consideration °» H £f &c. Agent for the Ml England Eleven. To the Secretory of the Wellington Cricket Club.

Mr. Akmitaoe said on receipt of the above he" telegraphed :fo" the cricket clubs of Dunedin, Christchurcb, Nelson, and Auckland, asking if they had accepted the English cricketers terms to visit those places. The following replies were received by telegraph : Auckland, September 11.—Yes; practically we hare. Ground not decided on yet. Have you written to Mr. Bennett on the subject ?—"W. T. Becklaxd, Secretary English Match Committee. Christchurch, September 11.—Yes; sixty pounds bonus and gate money.—T. S. Sweet. Kelson, September 11.—No; and doubtful whether shall be able to. General meeting this week; will then be brought forward.—H. H. Haulidav, Hon. Sec Dunedin, September 11.—Yes: but are waiting further advices from Bennett. Ho writes that your ground not being enclosed is an obstacle. The same at Nelson.—Jons O. Eva.

Mr. Hunter thought there would be no difficulty in raising the required portion of the £3OO in this city, but he understood that it was necessary to expend a considerable sum of money on the Cricket Ground. That appeared to be the only obstacle at present. He suggested that a deputation of three wait upon the City Council, the Caledonian Society, and the trustees of the ground, to see how far they would assist in the matter. He asked how much it would- take to put the ground in proper order?. Mr. Arjiitage 'could not exactly say ; but It was calculated that the cost would be somewhere about £3OO. The Caledonian Society and the trustees had been invited to meet the cricket clubs in the matter, but they never had attended. He understood that the Municipal Couucil had a considerable sum in hand, which properly should be expended on the sround. Mr. Bell might be able to supply ■* * ( *ore information on this point. ,' Mr. Bellsaid he was not aware of the exact amount in the hands of the Corporation, but he thought it would be more than sufficient to effect the necessary improvements. The improvements would be permanent, and there was no doubt that the public and the various bodies interested should subscribe towards the expense. Still he thought it advisable that the cricketers should take the initiative. At present it was not a cricket ground at all. To make it properly, the drain would have to be boarded over. Unless that was done, it would be better to go to the Hutt to play the natch.

. Some discussion ensued.as to the necessary outlay, and ultimately, on the motion of Mr. Garwood, a committee of four was appointed to visit and report on the ground within a week.

A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting, Mr. Bell paying a compliment to the city members for the interest they had taken in all sports, although the public of Wellington were generally apathetic.