CRICKET

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23536, 14 January 1942, Page 2

CRICKET

LANCASTER PARK MANAGEMENT POINT OF PRINCIPLE DISCUSSED A point of principle In the management of Lancaster Park was discussed briefly by the Canterbury Cricket Association's Management Committee last evening. Discussion arose on two letters from the Victory Park Board. One letter referred to the association's decision to admit secondary schoolboys free to a match at Christmas, and pointing out “that in future when your association desires to grant similar concessions, provided it is your intention also to request the board to forgo its percentage on such free admissions, tire sanction of the board should first be obtained." The second letter advised the association that Lancaster Park would not be available for cricket on Saturday, February 21, because of the board having granted the use of the park that day for the scout week rally. This letter added that the back grounds would be available provided the playing of cricket did not Interfere with the scouts’ requirements. After the first letter had been "received," Mr G, S. A. Biltclifl said that he was concerned at the question of principle involved. If the association had to consult the board as to admission charges, the board should surely consult the association before giving the ground to someone else. It was stated that the association’s representatives, as it happened, had not been at the board's meeting, and had not known that the subject Of the ground was to be discussed. Members, however, agreed that the cause for which the ground was wanted was a worthy patriotic one. Mr E. R. Caygill said that the board could not be said to have gone over the edge in this decision. The only point was whether they would alienate the park on a given day contrary to the arrangements of the assoclati9n. The secretary (Mr P. 3. Byrne) said that th? wicket fees were £?5. The lease was lor six months, and The association, tinder this lease, was hot *9 lose the use of » ground without its 'consent. Mr I. B. Cromb suggested that 'the as- , sedation'would be entitled to seek a reI bate of ground rent. The committee decided to acknowledge the letter, the ground being wanted for a worthy cause, but that the committee chairman (Mr R. H. North) should inform the board of the committee's attitude for the future.