DEPLORABLE GROUNDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 229, 24 September 1920, Page 7

DEPLORABLE GROUNDS.

CRICKETERS' CRITICISM. *

DETERIORATION OF PUBLIC PARKS

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Auckland Cricket Association last night, Mr. W. McMath said he had visited Victoria Park and thought that this, as a cricket ground, had gone back very much. fs> had the Domain and Eden Park. He said the 6tate of the public grounds was deplorable, and it was due absolutely to neglect. If the three men on Victoria Park all the year had been supplied with enough soil they could have rolled out wickets quite well." This was an old dumping ground, and bottles and tins coming up made it now positively dangerous. He moved'that a large deputation; to be appointed by the committee, should wait on the City Council to point out the deplorable state of the ground, and ask for immediate attention to the matter.

The chairman. Mr. F. Earl, K.C., was of opinion that Mr. McMath was right in pointing out the deterioration of the cricket grounds of Auckland. He had recently seen the ground at North Shore, 'and believe me,'' he said, "it was a painful sight. I think the attention of the Oevonport Borough Council should be drawn to their remissness in this matter." After all, he continued, the plavmg grounds were being considered more as public parks than as fields for »arae< and that feeling should be corrected! He hoped to see a vigorous deputation going to the Mayor to' emphasise these matters.

Arrangements for the deputation were left in the hands of the committee.