THE SIR G. GREY MEMORIAL DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10971, 27 January 1899, Page 6

THE SIR G. GREY MEMORIAL DAY.

-• APPLICATION FOR THE USE OF TH] DOMAIN. DIFFICULTY WITH THE CRICKETERS At last night's meeting of the Auckland Sty Council a deputation from the Sir Geo. .Jrey Memorial Committee was heard in support of the committee's application for tie jse of the Domain Cricket Ground for vie gathering to be held on February 18, the lay fixed by the committee as the "Sir Jeorge Grey Memorial Day." Prior to the leputation being called in, a letter was read rom the lion, secretary of the Auckland Jricket Association, statiug that the asso'iation could not comply with the request )f the Memorial Committee, and asking the Council to conserve the grounds for its legitimate purpose. The deputation consisted if Mr. W. J. Speight, the Hon. W. T. Jenlings, ant 1 Mr. John McLeod. Mr. Speight stated that the Memorial 3ommfttee had already received a reply rom the Council that there was no Saturday in which the ground would be unoccupied. Be urged that if there was any man whose nemory deserved to be honoured in Auckland it was Sir George Grey. It would be i standing disgrace to the city of Auckland f the ground which was given by Sir George Jrey, were not available for the purpose of loing honour to his memory. He there'ore urged the Council that the matter be ;iven fuither consideration.

The Hon. W. Jennings said, that as a native of the city, he felt that it would be a disgrace ff the ground could not be obtained fur the purpose; as no other ground would be .citable for the occasion. .Mr. John McLeod endorsed the remarks of the other speakers, and said that there would be deep disappointment if the matter were blocked.

Mr. Hewson, chairman ot the Cricket Ground Committee, said that the committee had given the request the consideration due to it. They hr.d, however, made a promise to the Cricket Association that they would not take the use of the ground for another Saturday during the season. It was impossible to get the ground from the cricketers, and they did not feel inclined to give it up' as it would break right in to one of the principal matches of the season. The Grey Memorial Committee could get the ground un any day excepi a Saturday. ' Mr Stichbury moved, "That the matter bo referred to the Cricket Ground Committee to arrange with the Memorial Committee and the Cricket Association." Mr Kidd seconded. He thought that it would be possible to meet the committee in the matter, or to arrange with the cricketers to give them the day they wanted Mr. Becroft said that it would 'be unfair to set aside the Cricket Association, who were their best customers. They had given £200 towards the pavilion, and it would not be fan. to set their wishes aside. He moved as an amendment, "That the action of the Cricket Ground Committee be upheld " Mr. Jamioson seconded the amendment. Mr. Speight said that the day could not possibly be changed. They must lave the Domain on Saturday, February 18, or not at all. ' Mr. Fanell said that be felt very deeply the ingratitude that had been given expression to during the discussion. The matches were club matches of no great importance, and he believed the Council had a right to exclude them. What he felt Sony f" r g was that anyone who looked round the city and saw what had been done by Sir George Grey, could take up such a position as to object to the granting of the use of the ground. Mr. Julian expressed surprise that the question should ever have come up It was astonishing that such ingratitude should have been shown to Sir George Grev's memory. ° ' * The amendment was then nut and lost. ment, Tha the Council pant the use of the ground, but this amendment was also lost, In reply to a question from Mr. C Hesketh, Mr. Speight said that the Cricket Association was approached on the subject and a reply given which in hjs opinion, was unworthy of young New Zealanden The tenor of it was that cricket was of more importance than the Memorial Day It was then agieed that the Cricket Ground Committee should interview the Cricket Association and 'endeavour to arrange tor the ground beinggranted to the Memorial Committee. .