CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE GREY COMMITTEE AND THE ASSOCIATION.

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

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE GREY COMMITTEE AND THE ASSOCIATION.

' ' 'As the deputation from the Cricket 'Association to the Ground Committee of the Council last night repeatedly asserted that no reason had been given by the Grey Memorial Committee why the use of the Cricket Ground was specially required for their demonstration, we publish, the correspondence which, passed on the subject. It will be observed that not only did the lion, secretaries to the Grey Committee advance reasons which, we venture to think, would have been considered ample by any public spirited body of citizens, but they went further and offered to meet the Cricket Association for the purpose of giving further reasons and discussing the whole matter. This request for a personal interview the Association coolly ignored.

Auckland, Jan. 20, 1899 A. E. Dunningham, Esq., Hon .Sec.

Cricket Association, Auckland.

Bear Sir, —We have been requested by the Sir George Grey Memorial Committee to write and ask the Auckland Cricket Association to forego the use of the Domain Cricket Ground on the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 18.

The Executive and Committee are deeply conscious of the fact that to those who follow the game of cricket the self-denial in giving up the Satur-

day afternoon above mentioned is a great one, but would respectfully draw the attention of your Association to the fact that the man to whom our committee are endeavouring to do honour was the one who Was instfii-

lental in getting the present grounds lade over to the citizens 6f Au6klaftd

as a reserve for public purposes. Our committee need hardly draw the attention of the Cricket Association to the fact that the late Sir Geo. Grey has also benefitted our city by the "magnificent donation of rare books and works of art to our public library.

The Grey Memorial Committee propose having a procession of school children, friendly societies, trade organisations and others on the aforementioned afternoon, and a number of our most esteemed citizens have consented to speak on the occasion. The arrangements that the' Memorial Committee propose carrying out on the occasion could not be accomplished in any other place than the Domain Cricket Ground. Hence request for the

ground. The object of our committee, being out of the usual order for which the ground is used, there b°ing no monetary gain to anyone, makes us express the hope that the request will be. granted. Members of our Executive and Committee would gladly attend any of your meetings for the purpose, •of' giving any further information that" may be 'desired. We have the honour to be, Sir, yours faithfully, • J. A. TOLE. . WM. T. JENNINGS, Hon. Sees. Grey Memorial Committee. P.O. Box 101.,* Auckland.

Auckland, Jan. 34,1899. The Hou. Sees Grey Memorial Committee.

Dear Sirs,—ln reply to your letter of 20th hist., I am instructed to say that m y committee regrets that it cannot see its way to accede to your request, owing to there being such constant encroachment on the Saturdays and the uncertainty of the weather (as it is at present especially), we having to take advantage of every fine day, as the matches are prolonged until almost into the very wet weather, and sometimes the game has to be. abandoned altogether, as the ground is unfit to play on. I need scarcely say that the enthusiasm in cricket is not at any time of the greatest, but. it is astonishing how the Saturdays 'off' affect what little there is, completely destroying- the same,and the- various clubs have the greatest difficulty in keeping their team members together, even having to beg of them to keep on. If the good old game of cricket —'the game of games' —is to be relegated to the past, then there is no surer way of accomplishing it than by taking the ground away day by day from our cricketers. T would suggest that as the Exhibition is to be closed on or about the 15th February, that the racing ground there might bo used, and should prove suitable for your nurpose. Hoping that you will see the reasonableness of our decision, 1 remain yours faithfully,

A. E. DUNNINGF VM. Hon. Sec