THE UMPIRES' AND CRICKET AS SOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13544, 17 March 1906, Page 8

THE UMPIRES' AND CRICKET AS SOCIATION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir-As a member of the Umpires' Association t hat existed hero about six years ago, I am naturally interested in the controversy now raging. The Cricket Association is treating the present association exactly as it. did the now defunct body. I remember well one occasion in particular, when a team was being sent to Southland. We were asked to appoint an umpire, and did so. Subsequently the cricket big wigs thought it best- to appoint one of their own number, which they forthwith did. When the match with Cantorbury was played hero the. Umpires' Association, Mr A. C. Hanlon in tlio chair,

appointed a certain niemboiMvho was known to hold strong views on the question of unfair bowling. Olago won this particular match by about 2bo runs. When the appointed umpire appeared on the ground he was informed that, at the last minute, Mr C. Frith, an outsider, had been asked to act. To make matters smooth it was given out that Mr Frith was appointed at the special request of the Canterbury team. On some members of the Umpires' Association interviewing the Canterbury team they wero informed that they knew nothing about the matter, and further they said they would have lwen pleased if the a.ssocia. tion umpiro had officiated. It afterwards turned out that tho real reason for the change was owing lo made-up rumours of riots which the Cricket Association did not feel fit to combat. Little wonder that, cricket is dead here, when the governing body is of very weak composition. And thus dies Umpires' Association number two!—l am, etc., March 16, 1905. Cricketer,