Cricketers' Squabbles.

NZ Truth, Issue 120, 5 October 1907, Page 3

Cricketers' Squabbles.

Trade Secret Disclosed.

Judgment was given at the Birmingham assizes m the action m which Lillev the well-known Warwickshire wicket-kjsejper sued Quaife Brothers, also professional cricketers, for damages for alleged misrepresentation and an injunction to restrain the Quaifes from representing _ him as a partner m their •business as athletic outfitters. There was a counter-claim by the defendant for an alleged infringement of agreement. Replying to Mr Justice Keif, W. G. Quaife admitted that the "special preparation" for wicj-etl-eepers' gloves was nothing more than linseed oil. He added that when he first played with Lilley for Warwickshire he asked him what he prepared his gloves with, as it was then a secret. Lilley told him that he used linseed oil, and said he put a few spots on two or three times, and then allowed it to dry. When they bought Lilley's business they were asked by customers how to prepare the gloves. £nd they prepared several pairs m the way described by Lilley, and sent them out. In giving judgment, •Mr Justice Relf expressed regret that the dispute had not been submitted to some mutual friend for settlement, He granted Lilley an injunction m respect of the Lilley match ball, the Lilley autograph bat. Lilley's special preparation for wicketkeeping gloves, and the use of the term, "Our Mr Lilley," all of which descriptions, he said, were grossly and deliberated untrue. He also grantee an injunction m respect of the ".so of the firm's catalogue of a phrase referring: to visits of members of the firm to Australia, representations that Lillev was a partner m the firm, and the application of Lilley's signature to any soods —On. the counter-claim, his Lordship found for Quaife Bros., holding that Lilley had taken a wrong view of his contract.