NELSON NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1924, Page 9

NELSON NEWS

<BS TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL TO T H » PO ST.)

NELSON, 25th January. The question of effecting impiovements Ito the ground at Trafalgar Park is once | moie to the fore as the result largely of the success of the Nelson cricket team in again winning the Hawke Cup, by defeating Wangamii (holders), at Wanganui. by six wickets.. At the civic welcome given the team at the Municipal Chambers yesterday, | at which, great enthusiasm was shown by the large gathering, the Mayor's remarks were warmly endorsed when he . stated that in all probability the City Council would improve the playing area -it Trafalgar Park before next season. So far, ho said.jthe park had never had a chance to get in good order on account of the lateness of the football season,' and cricketing commencing right on top of it. He believed Nelson was the only place in New "Zealand where the City Council found money out of the general account for reserves. Only a certain amount could be taken out of this account, but with a special rate more could be accomplished. Mr. E. E. Neile (representing the cricket team), in the course of his'reply to the congratulations tendered by the citizens, referred to the playing area at the,park, and said that cricketers in Nelson were absolutely ashamed to take. ; visitors into the park. The pitch was ; all right, but the outfield was shocking. He did nnt think it would cost a great deal to improve the outfield, and he was sum a little attention in the spring would ■work wonders. The association did not expect a lot of money to be spent on. ll>e park, but a little could be done at once, and in time they could have a groun-df where they could reasonably ask "-■ixitor<! to play. Mr. S. Kirkpatrick, who is a good patron of sport, concluded his congratulatory speech yesterday, by saying he would give Uvo bats to the team—one tor the best batsman and the other for the best bowler. interest in cricket for many years has been somewhat slack in Nelson until stimulated by ( Nelson winning the Hawke Cup by defeating Eangitikei in 1921, later losing it to Wanganui in 1922. The rovapture of it iwill no doubt do much towards re-establishing its popularity as m bygone days, where this district raiikj Of' high as a cricketing centre. Some time ago the Hon. \V. W. Rnodgrass, M.L.C., offered a silver cup for competition among the high schools1 of the coast, for the best essay on "Westiaii'l.'' This has been competed for by scnolars throughout Nelson, Westport, Reefton, Grey, and Westland. Miss Madge Kerridge, of Hokitika, was the successful competitor.