SIR GEORGE GREY MEMORIAL DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 28, 3 February 1899, Page 2

SIR GEORGE GREY MEMORIAL DAY.

STHE EIGHT TO USE THE DOMAIN

Last evening the Domain Com- i i^mittee of the City Council met the :C6niniittee of the Auckland Cricket at the Municipal Build- , ings, in reference to the use of the . iDomain cricket ground on the occasion of Sir George Grey Memorial , .Day. In the absence of the Mayor, , O. Hewson presided, and Messrs C. 'Hesketh and C. Gray, members of the Domain Committee, Vere also present. * The members of the Cricket Association present included Dr Pabst, Messrs T. J. Ohlson, 11. Neill, R. J. Bunby, ,W. Stemson, Chas. S. H. MacKmney, .&. E. Dunningham, E. J. Greville, also JR.' J. Yates, Domain ground caretaker. The Mayor, who is chairman of the Domain Committee, was sitting on a Departmental Committee in another part of the building. He sent word that he hoped, if possible, the. use of 'the ground would be given to the bir George Grey committee. The chairman at the outset explained that the Domain Committee were appointed to meet the Cricket 'Association to see if an amicable settlement could be- arrived at to enable the Sir George Grey Memorial Committee to have the use of the Domain on February 18th. The Domain Committee present were opposed to giving the ground. Mr Ohlson, asked by the chairman, lor the opinion of the cricketers on the matter, said the cricketers were of the opinion that either the outer Domain Or the slopes of the inner Domain would be a suitable place for the celebration. He contended that no reason had been advanced why the cricket ground was more suitable for the celebration than the other part. If the outer part of the Domain were used they could have their matches. He would point out that 450 cricketers were engaged in the Saturday matches and they were paying for this right,_ The chairman : The question is, are you willing to give way ? Mr Ohlson replied *No.' Continuing, Mr Ohlson said that the cricketers as a body would not give the ground up. If a strong reason, had been brought forward why their matches should be disturbed they ■would have given way. Mr MacKinney stated that the Cricket Association paid £209 last year for the use of the ground. They should be entitled to at least three weeks out of the four during which it could be granted. The chairman held out other bodies contributed about £150. Dr. Pabst said the cricketers felt that nothing had been advanced why the cricket ground was preferable to any other part of the Domain. The cricketers did not want to give an antagonistic 'no.' They would like reasons given why the cricket ground was essential for the celebration. The chairman remarked the only argument advanced why the cricketers should give way was a cricket match was of no interest to any one. Mr Grey pointed out the City Council could not keep the Grey celebration people off the cricket ground. They had no power to do so. They had power, however, to prevent trollies being, taken on the ground. ' liv answer to a-question. Mr-Ohlson then said the cricketers were willing to give the slopes of the ground and the pavilion to the Grey Committee. Mr Hesketh immediately jumped up and said : ' You are weak-kneed gentlemen. I wish you good night.' He picked up his hat and left the room, again muttering' Yon are , •weak-kneed.' Mr MacKinney said he was sorry the cricketers were accused of being ■weak-kneed by a member of the Domain Committee.- They had also "been accused in one of the most public spirited newspapers in the colony of being antagonistic to the Sir George Grey celebration, but this was not correct. They desired to meet the Grey Committee half way. They should not be accused of being weakkneed. They gave way as far as they thought necessary. Dr. Pabst said it was for the Grey Dr. Pabst said it was for the Grey Committee to furnish a good reason ■why the cricketers should give up the ground, and not for the cricketers td gite reasons for holding it. The deputation of cricketers then withdrew, and the Domain Committee ■went into committee to further consider the matter.

The Domain Committee framed the following resolution : VThat the Grey Memorial Committee be informed that there will be no objection to their ■using the slopes surrounding the ground as set apart for public use, the cricket oval being reserved for cricket, and that the use of the pavilion be granted as requested free of charge. The members of the Cricket Association ate Of opinion that no sufficient reason has been advanced by the Grey Memorial Committee for disarranging cricket fixtures for that Saturday, and that there are other portions of the Domain better suited for the requirements of the Memorial Committee.'