CRICKET “GATES” IN WELLINGTON

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 903, 21 February 1930, Page 9

CRICKET “GATES” IN WELLINGTON

Cricket in Wellington is growing in popularity (writes the Sun’s Wellington correspondent). and “gates ’ are becoming quite substantial where big matches are concerned, while a larger crowd than ever is following club lixtures, probably on account of the fact that people are becoming educated to the game by reason of having watched one or other of the principal fixtures. At this week’s meeting of ' the Wellington Cricket Association a report was submitted in regard to the takings at representative matches this season, and it made quite a respectable showing. In four matches the total takings at the Basin Reserve gates were" £2,438 14s 9d, divided up as follows: Second Test (M.C.C. v. New Zea - land), £1,123 4s 9d; M.C.C. v. Wellington, £951 4s; Canterbury v. Wellington (Plunket Shield), £325 15s; Town v. Country, £3B 11s. Of the total amount taken at the four matches approximately £4OO goes to the Wellington City Council, owners of the ground, and about £l4l in wages. The balance, approximately £1,897, is divided up in various ways. Of this £375 goes to the New Zealand Association, a percentage of the Shield match goes to Canterbury, and there are a few hundred pounds to be paid out in hotel expenses for visiting teams, etc., but a very substantial margin is left for the Wellington Association. This will be still further augmented after the Plunket Shield final against Auckland, which commences next week—that is if the weather is kind.