TO THE EDITOR.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 527, 1 June 1880, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR.

[Correspondents arc invited to discuss matters of public interest with fairness and brevity ; this journal being an impartial medium of discussion and advocacy for all affairs relating to the County of Patea.] COUNTY POLITICS. Sir, —A sub-leader in your issue of 27tb inst. strongly sets forth the necessity that exists for the Patea County to make its voice heard on the subjects of the proposed petition, and by reiteration endeavour to gain the ends in view. It appears to me that there is one point on which the rest all hinge—that is the speedy settlement of the Plains.” The sale of the Plains will bring into this County a considerable amount of new blood,' which will have that valuable quality, political influence, that is so deficient in our County, as at present populated. Once get the Plains peopled, and it will be suicidal impolicy for any Government to delay the County’s right to a representative, to railways, and to the commercial necessities of the shipping port. A force brought to bear on one point must be much more effectual than if spread over four. If the County could by its utmost endeavours —and the unanimous efforts ofjtbc County would be required—induce the Government to dispose of the Waimate Plains to settlers, the addition to public influence that would be gained would put the County in a position to compel a just consideration of its requirements. A popular Government like ours cannot be expected to act without concomitant advantage. Patea County is too deficiently populated at present to bring to bear for or against a Government the amount of political influence that would ensure success in the political arena. Put the County in a position, under present circumstances, to bring strong pressure on the Government, through parliament, in the matter of the settlement of the Plains, (and I should like to sec the whole combined influence of the County focussed on that one point) the rest would naturally follow. Yours, &c., X.Y.Z.

Hawcra, 28th May. DAMAGING THE CRICKET GROUND. Sir, —I am obliged to ask your assistance in bringing under notice the shameful condition of the cricket pitch, after the football match played on the Recreation Ground by the Carlyle and Wavcrley Clubs on Saturday. The small portion of the field which was turfed and smoothed by the Carlyle Cricket Club, at their own expense, is now practically spoilt. The rough play on Saturday has cut the soft turf into ruts and holes. Visiting the ground to-day, I noticed scores of holes made during the furious scrambling of players for the ball. That kind of play must be very rough. The men have dug their bootheels through the turf in many places, aud in other parts an eager.player has made a running slide along the turf. This was in the heat of excitement, when the men neither knew nor cared what happened to the grass so Jong as the object of their furious play was attained. Is this the way the Carlyle Football Club recognise and respect the equitable rights of the Cricket Club to have their small pitch protected from injury ? Was I not justified in complaining, on a previous occasion, of a want of proper gentlemanly behaviour on the part of certain football players, insisting on their right and determination to use the cricket pitch for football playing ? Having then abandoned that position, having formally recognised our equitable right to have that ground protected against rough usage, and having promised to avoid injuring it, they now give a practical proot of their nngcntlemanly indifference to other people’s rights by cutting up the cricket-pitch in a manner which every sensible person would pronounce disgraceful.

Is it not time for the Town Board to take effectual steps to do justice all round ? If we are to have a recreation ground for these games, and if the Cricket Club have had one small portion prepared at great expense for theii’j. game, ought not the Town Board to ensure to them the same degree of protection for their pitch as is secured by Town Boards to clubs in other districts ? Crickcttcrs ask only for what is fair and right. They arc as pleased as other spectators to see football players enjoy themselves. But surely that enjoyment should not be at the expense of breaking up a cricketpitch which those players had promised to respect, and which the Town Board ought to protect. I. intend to see justice done in this matter, and I appeal to the right-thinking portion of the community to sustain myself and colleagues in our reasonable rights. We spent money, and we gave personal labor, to get that pitch put into playing condition. Our money and pains are thrown away, so long as this rough and reckless scrambling at football is allowed to lake place over a cricket pitch.—Yours, &c., / S. TAPLIN. Carlyle, 31st.