A CRICKET MATTER

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10712, 6 November 1912, Page 5

A CRICKET MATTER

DEPUTATION TO BOROUGH COUNCTL. Messrs T. Jordan and E Coltinge, representing the Masterton Cricket Council, waited upon the Ma-sterton Borough Council , last evening ferenco to the playing of cricket on | the Park Oval, I Mr T. Jordan said that lie was present in a. dual capacity, as the repreof the Chicket Council ano | the t\yo Masterton Saturday cl'tbs. H« said that there had been no meeting of the Cricket Council held: during tho past two years, and he was not aware that .any fees had been paid during that time for the use of the Park Oval. : He emphasised the fact that cricket clubs were riot as a rule vory financial, and as during the past two years there had been only two cricket clubs in Masterton, it was impossible for theso to pay £l2 10s per annum for the use of the Oval. He j would ask the Council to let them [ down lightly, and he was authorised to state that a new cricket council [ had been formed, which was prepared to pay the sum* of £5 in lieu of past liability to the Bbrough Council, and asked that the Borough Council would take this as full payment of the debt. The council was also prepared to pay £4 per season in future, or £1 per club. He was aware that this was only a nominal sum, but the clubs were not in a position to make a better offer. The Cricket Council would be responsible to the Borough Council for these sums, and control all gam oh f played on the Oval, and also do all necessary work, excepting the cutting of the grass on the Oval. He hoped that tho Council would see itn way to meet'their requests, as if the present changes were insisted upon cricket in Masterton would be stifled.

In answer to a question by Cr Pragnell, Mr Jordan said that if necessary the amounts offered bv the Cricket Council would.jbo paid in advaneo-. but be did not think their reputation was quite so bad as that. Mr E. CJollinge endorsed the re marks of Mr Jordan. The Mayor said that what the Goun : cil aimed afc wa? some understanding with the Cricket Council, so that the latter body would hold itself, responsible for all cricket played on the Park Oval. He would like to see the game of cricket assisted aa much as possible, but tho playing on the Park must not interfere with the privileges of the public. Cr Ewington considered that £4 was too small a. sum to charge for the Park. Oval. He would, however, like to see the matter brought to finality. Cr Ewington then moved thai the offer mado; by the Cricket -Council be accepted,, and that the Cricket Council be freed from palpability. (Carried.) Cr Ewington moved that tho sum of £8 bo charged for the use of the Park Oval. He considered that £+ wa« altogether inadequate. Cr Pragnell seconded the motion. Cr Elliott considered that tho Council should give every assistance in its power to further the interests of cricket, he would -novo as an amendment that the offer of the Cricket Counoil be accepted and £<l be the annual fee charged. "Cr o'Leary seconded the amendment, which was lost. Or Ewington's motion was then put and-also lost. After considerable discussion ii) was finally decided that the 9 nm of £5 bo charged, the Cricket Council to be the responsible body and to do all necessary work, excepting the mowing of the Oval, which would be dono bv tho custodian