Prominent Cricketer Chosen as Groundsman

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 231, 1 October 1935, Page 6

Prominent Cricketer Chosen as Groundsman

AUSTRALIAN BATSMAN TO SERVE CITY COUNCIL The services of Mr. George Wheatley, of Gladesvillc, Sydney, have been engaged by the City Council as groundsman at the Palmerston North Sportsground. Mr. Wheatley will be a decided acquisition to cricketing iu Palmerston North in that he has something of a reputation as a cricketer and one of the conditions of his tip ointment is that lie shall conform to any conditions arrived at between tho council and Manawatu Cricket Association in respect of his services being used ns a coach. According to the secretary of the New South Wales Cricket Association, Mr. Wheatley has always been regarded as one of the best amateur coaches the association had and a cricketer quite up to first grade standard. In 1921-22 lie headed the New South Wales Association's first grade batting average with 651 runs, at an average of 59.15. He captained the Balmain Club’s first grade team for many years and during his term of office produced tho late Archie Jackson, Sid- Hird and many others. Mr. Wheatley is a returned soldier, still quite active, and still regularly playing first grade cricket. He is a carpenter and builder by profession. His age is 44 years, and ho has a wife and two children 15 and 17 years of age.

One of tho credentials Air. Wheatley forwarded with his application was written by W. G. Hilliard, as Canon of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, and Bishop designate of Nelson, who stated that he felt confident there was not a better groundsman in (he country. He had given to Trinity Grammar School an oval of which the school was pround and cricket wickets which had been enthusiastically commended by cricketers of international reputations. , Another testimonial reveals that Mr. Wheatley was engaged by St. Stanilaus College on tho rccommcndaof Allan Ivippax and Arthur Mailer.