CRICKET FRACAS DESCRIBED

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14924, 23 February 1912, Page 9

CRICKET FRACAS DESCRIBED

FIGHT IN COMMITTEE BOOM.

The official report, of tlio secretary of the Board of Control, Mr. Sydney Smith, on the Hill-MaeAlistcr fight, is a lengthy document. After describing the development of (he quarrel, and the ridiculing by the two cricketers of each other's skippering, the. report thus states what, followed MacAlister's remarks that Kiil was the worst skipper ho had ever .seen. "When this remark was passed, MacAHster was leaning with his two hands ill front of him, and Hill immediately jumped mi and said. ' Von have been looking for a— — punch in the jaw all night, and I will give you one,' immediately leaning across the table and dealing MacAHster a violent blow on the side of the face.

'* MacAHster was somewhat dazed, but jumped up and rushed round tho table to where Hill was standing, and a fight ensued, both selectors grappling and trying to punch each other in tho small space between tho table and wall. MacAlister- sat down between the telephonebox and the table, and Hill leant over him, but did not strike him whilst on tho floor. I eventually managed to separate the two combatants, and I might state here that when the scuffle first took place' the table slowed round and Mr. lredalo was jammed into the corner, and thus powerless to act.

"I urged Hill to get out of the room, but lie went .to the other end of the table near the door. As soon as? MacAlister got on to his feet I tried to atop him irom rushing at Hill, but they again got to holts. The furniture was knocked ail over the room, the pictures were broken, and Hill grappled with MacAlister and forced him on to the table and window* sill another couple of feet and both »cleotors would have been out the window into the street, three floors below, bet this was prevented by Mr. Iredale leaning across and catching MacAlister by tho arm, whilst I nulled Hill off by the coat tails. ■ •'•■■...■-

"As soon as I got Hill away, I at once shoved him out of the 1 door, and told him he bad bettor stay outside. Mr. Iredale .and myself holding MacAlister, ho shouting to Hill, 'You coward! you coward!' Blood flowed from MacAlLster'a face copiously, and it presented a sorry spectacle. My clothes, collar, hat, etc.", were covered in blood. After getting MacAlister to sit down, I went outside and interviewed Hill, and told fcim that he had better go home. He said, 'Sid, I will not remain a member of the selection committee any. longer, as I refuse to sit with MacAlister as co-selector.' I. replied that I could not \ take':,that; as official, but if he would put the matter in writing, I would place same before the Board. '

"He said he would write his resignation out straight away, but I refused to allow him to go into the room again, and said that he could write it out at the hotel, and I would call for it. . . . I might also state that during the disturbance, Hill accused MacAlister of being drunk, but in my opinion neither Hill nor MacAlister was* intoxicated. The two selectors were- very heated in their arguments before the climax was reached, and, the language was anything but gentle- " manly."