BETTING ON CRICKET.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4972, 28 February 1877, Page 3

BETTING ON CRICKET.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES.

[ Sib, —I see a letter in your issue of this morning, in which among other things your correspondent asks for information relating to betting on the late match with the All-Eng-land Eleven. Now, sir, my opinion is that this practice of bettinr on cricket, rowing, footba'l, and other athletic ex«rcises is most pernicious. If it gains ground and becomes established, as in horse racing, then indeed those noble sports that I have mentioned will go into decay, for it will not be known when a game is played on the merits of the players, or whether the losing side win in a pecuniary point of view. Gentlemen then who love the game of crickat as being a true old English sport will be ashamed to be seen playing it. I regret to see that the papers do not discountenance the practice, for I continually see allusions in them to betting on important matches, the odds given, &c. I feel strongly in the matter, and sincerely trust that committees of cricket, rowing, and football clubs will strenuously set their faces against betting, and refuse to allow any man to take part in any match that he has a bet upon. I hope some abler pen than mine will take the subject up, for it is one that every lover of old English sports should express himself freely upon.—l am, kc, Sport. Wellington, February 27.