THE BASIN RESERVE " SCENE." TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 71, 26 March 1881, Page 3

THE BASIN RESERVE " SCENE." TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Sin— ln replying to a letter signed Fair Play " which appeared in your issue of last evening, on the subject of the dispute on the Basin Jieserve on Saturday afternoon, I do not propose to dilate on the reasons assigned by your correspondent for the "protest" made by certain cricketers on the above occasion, as to do so fully would trespass too much on your space, and, moreover, the matter will doubtless be thoroughly discussed at an early meeting of the association. I would, however, like to give as briefly as possible the outlines of. the proceedings which led up to the lamentable display of ill-feeling on the day in question, The secretary of the association was asked nearly a fortnight ago to call a meeting of the committee for the purpose of arranging a matoh for the 19th mat. On Wednesday

or Thursday last, it was divoverad that the secretary had left town for a few days without having done bo, and, as it was then too late to arrange for a formal meeting, a quorum of the committee took it upon themselves to fix a matoh which had previously been contemplated and talked about, and which it was considered would prove an interesting and popular ono. Now, Bir, allowing that the match was to some extent informal, does that excuse in any way the singular method of protest adopted by those cricketers to whom the action of a portion of the committee was displeasing? Would it not have been more reasonable and in better taste to have addressed a formal letter to the eecretary, or, in his absence, to the treasurer, objecting to the match with the Wellington Club, and asking that tome other be substituted? Oae would certainly think that this course should have been adopted under the circumstances. Instead, however, of settling the matter decorously, the aggrieved one 3 preferred to meet on the ground, call to their aid outsiders who had no earthly concern with the dispute, pitch their stumps, interfere with the progress of the matoh, and occasionally vary their proceedings by hooting, yelling, or applauding, when a fieldsman mulled the ball or a batsman lost his wicket. If, sir, "FairPJay" deems this gentlemanly or warrantable conduct, I must say I cannot admire his taste. In my opinion, and I don't think I shall find myself in a minority, the " malcontents," by their unjustifiable behavior, deprived themselves of any sympathy which might otherwise have been extended to them. In conclusion, I can only add that if a majority of the members of the association can be found to support the movers in Saturday's protest against those " forward members of the committee who delight in arranging matches in the hole and corner style, I feel sure the latter individuals would be only too anxious to resign their, in this case, somewhat unenviable positions as officers of the association. I am, <fee, One of the Committee. 24th March.