TOURING CRICKET TEAM.

Evening Star, Issue 20983, 23 December 1931, Page 12

TOURING CRICKET TEAM.

10 TUB EDITOR. Sir,—As tho matter of the appointment of the manager of the Otago cricket team has apparently become of public interest, I would like to place before you the true facts of the case. Prior to the departure of the president (Mr Fraser) to Australia, he stressed the matter of finance, stating that it was necessary to have tho funds to send our team north, and he himself nominated Messrs Brookes, Solomon, Regan, Fergusson, and myself to act as a finance committee. On November 26, at a meeting of the Management Committee, Mr Brookes asked if it was not necessary to now appoint a manager of the team to travel, and he moved that I be appointed to that position. Mr D. Solomon seconded tho motion. Mr Dunning then remarked that he understood that Mr Fraser desired to go with the Otago team as manager, and Mr Wycherley (actingchairman) asked if he desired to move in that direction. Mr Dunning said no, and he did not oven ask that the election of manager be postponed until the return of Mr Fraser. I was then unanimously elected manager of the team. On December 10, at the ordinary meeting of the committeee, Mr Fraser again brought forward the question of finance, and said lie considered that the association could .not afford to send a manager away with the team. At this meeting I stated that I would withdraw as manager, so as to allow the committee to discuss the matter without liindrance, but at the same time referred to the remarks made in a weekly newspaper on my appointment. I also stated that I was not prepared to pay the whole of my expenses. After considerable discussion the committee unanimously confirmed my appointment as manager, tlve next meeting to be hold on January 14. On Saturday last, five days before tho team departs, two anonymous fetters appeared in the morning newspaper referring to the expense of sending a manager with the team, in which certain extravagant expressions were used indicating that financial disaster would follow tho expenditure of the few pounds involved. At 10 a.m. the same day Mr Fraser rang me at my place of business and asked me to withdraw from tlie managership of the team owing to the correspondence that was in the paper that morning. I declined to accede to this request, stating that ho had no authority to ask me to do so. Mr Fraser then stated that ho would immediately call a special meeting, and in this I. concurred. The result of the special meeting has now been published, I myself having relinquished the position of manager. These are the plain facts of the case, and they can be verified by reference to the minutes of the Otago Cricket Association, 1 am exceedingly sorry to relinquish my connection of fifteen years with the 0.C.A., but anyone reading tho facts as here stated could not say that I have acted without duo consideration. I was amazed that at the outset of tho last meeting the president asked if it was the wish of the committee that the Press should be present. I immediately moved that they remain.—l am., etc., W. A. Rowland. December 23.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The Management Committee of the Otago Cricket Association have labelled themselves a body of “twisters.” Firstly, Mr Eraser opens the bowling by giving his reasons for not playing cricket. Next Mr Regan gets himself out Ibw; whilst Mr Solomon foolishly runs himself out. The remainder of the committee—Messrs Wycherley, Ferguson, and Dunning—all failed to play straight bats. In fact, Mr Brookes was the only member of the committee who did not record a “no ball decision ” against himself. Result: Mr Rowland retires on his laurels, badly let down by his associates, who evidently regard themselves as cricketers. No need to dwell upon such topsy-turveydom. And what a great cricketer Mr Coupland is to butt in upon one who has done so much to foster Otago cricket. Is Mr Coupland aspiring as a future Minister of Finance? The members of the Otago team would be wise to notify the association that the tour has been abandoned. It would serve as a vote of no-confidence in the Management Committee. Their action is autocratic. Petty enmity, coupled with personalities and base ingratitude, is the only complex to a most sorry affair. Mr Rowland retires from the game, upholding his dignity, honour, and prestige, whilst his colleagues brand themselves as incompetent to govern sport. —I am, etc., Bravo. December 23.

TO THB EDITOR. Sir, —I was very much surprised at the decision of tho Management Committee of the Otago Cricket Association in the way it treated Mr Rowlands. The committee should not have appointed a manager in the first place if the position was such that it could not afford one. 1 think that the Management Committee should have kept to its decision. Mr Rowlands has rendered excellent service to Otago cricket, and the committee by its decision has lost a man whose work for cricket is recognised not only in Otago but throughout New Zealand.—l am, etc., Stumped. December 23.