CRICKET PITCHES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8261, 25 October 1912, Page 1

CRICKET PITCHES

TASK FOR THE COUNCIL DEMAND FAR EXCEEDS THE SUPPLY. A number of matters of interest to cricketers were brought before the reserves committee of the City Council yesterday afternoon by deputations representing respectively tho Boys’ Cricket League, the Primary Schools’ Cricket Association. and tho Wellington Cricket Association. WOULD PLAY IN ODD CORNERS. On behalf of tho Boys' Cricket League, Dr A. Izard asked for permission for the boys to play on unoccupied portions of the reserves. They did not expect pitches to bo allocated to them, but thought the -committee might let them play along tho outside of the grounds. If tho committee could not permit this, the league would have to collapse. 'They required room for eight games. i’no chairman of tiie committee. Councillor Frost, said that all the arrangements- this season had been upset by tbe Basin Reserve being closed up. The committee, however, would see what could be done. Councillor Shirtclifle said they could let tho league use tho top end of Newtown Park. Councillor Frost agreed that this could be done, and told tho deputation that if tho league could find any other unoccupied spaces on which they could play the committee would give the request ©very consideration. Sir Glen and the caretakers would be instructed to use every endeavour to find accommodation. PRIMARY SCHOOLBOYS WANT HELP. The spokesman of the. Public Schools’ Cricket Association deputation was Mr F. A. Hempleman. He asked mo committee to prepare wickets on the reserveson Friday afternoons free of charge, as hod been done in previous seasons. The association controlled twenty to twenty-five teams and required at least ten grounds. ’They asked for throe each at Newtown and Kelburno parks, and one each at Anderson’s Park and Kilbirnie. The league had no revenue and practically no funds, so that a charge of -£3 a month tor preparing pitches would absolutely prohibit play. . Councillor Smith 'said he thought the boys were getting too particular for the pitches. The chairman said that the question was simply one of funds, but the committee would do what it could.

Mr Hempleman pointed out that very little time was necessary for the preparation of the boys’ pitches. It was not like preparing for a senior game. In reply to Councillor Smith, Mr Hempleman said that the boys would be very pleased to prepare the wickets themselves if the council would let them use the rollers. It was subsequently decided by the committee to allow the boys to prepare the wickets provided it were done under the supervision of the caretaker. SEVERAL BEQUESTS.

A number of requests were made by the third deputation. The spokesman. Vlr Gtombie, complained of the postponement of matches- last Saturday, and pointed out that great inconvenience was caused to the association. The grounds wore really quite fit for play in the afternoon, and anywhere else the game would have been allowed. The association asked that in future the postponement of matches should be left in theii hands, as in their own interests they would never use wickets when the ground was unfit for play. If the committee ouuld not let this rule apply to all grounds, it might at least be applied to Kelburne Park. ” Councillor Frost: That is a tall order. Mr Crombio referred to the recently increased charge for wickets, and asked it any allowance would be made when matches were postponed. Tho association also asked for a reduction in the rent of rooms at the Basin Reserve. In previous years when they had had five or six rooms they were charged .£27 10s, but now they only used three rooms the vent should be reduced in proportion. The association recognised that the committee had treated it very liberally in tne matter of wickets, and so it was now prepared to drop two at Duppa street, as it found they were not required. Councillor Frost said the committee was very glad to hear this. The requests of tho deputation would bo considered carefully, and reported on to tho City Council.