TARANAKI CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1919, Page 7

TARANAKI CRICKET.

QUESTION OF PLAYING GROUND.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs. W. H. Moyes, E. Whittle and W. U. Weston, waited on the Borough Council on Monday night with a view to securing the use of a portion of the racecourse reserve, and a financial grant towards the formation of a cricket ground for New Plymouth. Mr. Moyes pointed out that there was no place in the town in which to play cricket, and those interested in the sport were anxious to get ahead with the preparation of the ground. He said it was understood there were certain rents available from the reserve which might be used for the purpose suggested.

Mr. Whittle supported the proposal especially in the interests of the rising generation. The old difficulty in the matter of cricket development was chiefly one of finance, and he hoped the Council would be able to give some assistance.

Mr. Weston said the Jockey Club had decided to help, and were considering the amount of financial assistance they should give. It was estimated that the cost of putting the grounds in order for next season would be from £2OO to £3OO. They had marked oil an area of 4£ acres in front of the peoples' stand, which it was considered would give space for two matches at a time.

Mr. Moyes, in reply to a question by the Mayor, said they would probably want about £l5O per annum to pay a permanent caretaker of the grounds. The Mayor said he presumed there woal£ bp some clubs which would pay sotap fees In connection with the grounds. He did not know that the Council had any fund for the development of sport. Mr. Moyes pointed out that there was no ground in New Plymouth for a travelling team to come to play cricket. There would in all probability be Australian and English teams touring soon, and from the standpoint of the town there should be a good ground. Mr. Moyes further pointed out that New Plymouth was, he believed, the only town in which there was no State school cricket played. Any match played in New Plymouth was now played at the High School ground, which was only 3} acres.

The Mayor agreed it was a scandal that there was no cricket ground in a place like New Plymouth of fIOOO people. I" spite of its popularity, he did not think bowls was a young man's game, and there were many men playing it who, he thought, should be playing cricket. He would like to know more definitely what the deputation wanted. Mr. Moyes thought the annual expenditure would be about £2OO to keep the grounds in order. They did not know yet what the Jockey Club would do, (h"t they believed they would get good assistance. The clubs playing would probably return about £3O or £4O, and they thought the Council might contribute about £7O. The Mayor said the Council would consider the matter and send its reply to the deputation, who thanked the Council and withdrew. After consideration by the Council the following resolution was carried: That, on the deputation submitting a plan setting out the exact location and boundaries of the piece of ground required, and the same being approved by the Council, and the land beinc set aside for cricket playing, the council will favorably consider the question of making a grant towards the cost of laying out the land as a cricket ground.