CONCERNING PROFESSIONAL EMOLUMENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 54

CONCERNING PROFESSIONAL EMOLUMENTS.

(By E. H. D. Sew ell, E«sex.)

All who are of opinion that the professional cricketer of to-day is too well paid cannot do better than carefully read the introduction written by Lord Hawke to the "History of Yorkshire County Cricket, 18331903." The Yorkshire captain writes: — "The remuneration of the professional is, in my opinion, even now none too good. Ho has to live well, for after a hard day's crickot he must have good food and good' lodgingThe wear and rear of the se-ason, with its numerous journejvs and the constant change, involve a strain of which the public ha\e little conception. . 1 . Professionals cannot save enough in the summer to li\e sufficient comfort all the year round. Moreover, wo do not want the form of our men impaired by their worry over financial matters." Never was truer word written or said. Many people imagine that proiessional crlcketeis can lne anywhere and eat anything, ancflill the summer are putting by nearly every penny they draw in match fees. Few, indeed, have the very slightest conception of the amount of money professionals have to — there is uo doubt about it, though here and there a parsimonious professional may perchance ba seen— spend, in the matter of tip?. A sultry season means more drinks, and |he more ruuijingjibputjjje jorofj^oiya

gets, whether it is inn-getting or .-aving, r>? in bowling, the more drink ho can, \vi f h due consideration and allowance, for Ins health, take. By drmk I am not to i.c understood to mean the wholesale imbibing of intoxicants — luckijy that form of amu°vinent is very, very .-.oaree in county cricket of to-day. And wliptoor diinka the piofe&sional may be "stood" ho has to— and doe' — "stand" in vctuin. I mske uo apolosiy for mentioning the drink item. It is a -*oiy considerable item, unle-es 3~ou go in for fiilu\g yourself with obnoxioti:; gas or drink water -only, and must be considered. Then, contrary to tho belief of at bast one critic, it is the cubtom of many piofessionnfs to pay Hie bowlers who help thorn lo loosen their "shoulders before the ma toll begins. Sometimes they pay a good deal more in this direction than some amateurs. Cab and tram fare.«, as unavoidable asi the ball that; will sooner or later get you out, have aho to be reckoned with. The late W. J. Fonl had, I believe, rather big ideas as to the receipts of professionals, and, taking a man at the top of the tree belonging to a rich county that plays a full card of matches, which can afford handsome winter pay, ho s"aid that for three years such a professional averages £400 a year, aUx> that a tip-top player averages during fifteen years "£350 a year, and find yourself," with a benefit that may run into fo-ir figiircs. Which -will most likely bo less than four figures, would be nearer the mark." Now, these figures, if accurate — and I must take leave to disagree with them — clearly show the tip-top professional to be well paid, but not too well paid, if he is quite sure of good and regular work when his day comes to retire. Otherwise he is not well paid, only fairly well paid. And it mii't always be remembered that all these receipts depend upon his avoiding accident and otherwise keeping in perfect health. He probab'y belongs to some sort of accident insurance affair, but no payment from them can make up for the mental wear and tear resulting from beingout of harness, let alone tho probability of a breakdown at any time should the accident be at all sciious. The same authority gi\es £90 talent money for three years' cricket, which is by no manner of moans always the ca^e. Some may get as much, but not many.