ASHBURY PARK CRICKET GROUND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21957, 8 May 1941, Page 9

ASHBURY PARK CRICKET GROUND

Sir,—There Is at least one inaccuracy in the Archdeacon's letter which requires correction. Nothing has been done with the football grounds at Aslibufy Park which will prevent the planting of hedges at the proper time (July or August) and the hedge trees are all ready for planting when the season arrives. As regards the wicket, it is the intention of the Reserves Department to give a first-class wicket and experts on such matters have been and will be consulted as work proceeds. However, for the sake of moral, for. the sake of the job and for the advancement of cricket, all of which are more important than the petty squabbles of individuals, or their pique because of a fancied slight, I suggest we meet on the job and there not only explain to the Archdeacon and those interested with him in cricket just how and when the job and its various component parts will be done, but also receive the benefit of their ideas, their advice and their criticism. I am sure sportsmen and cricketers will agree with me that this will be more effective than reams of letters for the writing of which I have little ability and less time.—l am, etc,, P. B. FOOTE. Timaru, May 6.

Sir,—Every cricketer, young and old, and friends of the good old English game, will feel grateful to Archdeacon Monaghan for his practical interest in games. In spite of Councillor Foote’s clumsy attempt to be funny and the curator’s rather pert report, the fact remains that our City Fattiers are running true to form Of course, Cr. Foote would feel much peeved because someone had the “nerve” to criticise his proposals and his handling of the Borough Reserves, but nobody who knows the present Council would expect them to take much Interest in games. It is more important in Cr. Foote’s view to pamper the joyriders who come to Timaru to make a noise, than to make provision for the boys who will come home some day and be eager to play games. It is pathetic to read the curator’s plan for making cricket grounds. The idea of retorting a piece of paddock selected for the cricket wicket is really prime. Our cricketers have had some experience, of that sort of wicket-making and they don’t think much of it. Experience has shown that in Timaru neither the soil used nor the grasses selected by the curator In the past were suitable with the Inevitable unsatisfactory results. It is obvious to anyone who knows anything about the preparation of cricket grounds that the curator does not seem to be able to distingulsl between the best means of preparing wickets and outfields. The curator’s statement that “one may add that the bowlers and croquet players do pay their maintenance charges for the grass and surroundings” is an obviously inspired prompting by the civic authorities to hurl indirect insults at the cricketers. The curator did not feel friendly enough to add that the cricketers do all the maintenance all the cutting, rolling and' watering of the wickets, and the City Fathers were so “interested” that they tried to charge pavilion rents for shed accommodation for the tools used by the cricketers in making wickets on Borough reserves. This offensive statement should be repudiated by the Mayor unless he supports his curator. Since when has the curator been concerned with the financial policy of the borough? Thank you, Archdeacon Monaghan, for your public-spirited endeavours on behalf of the young men of Timaru who are more interested in games than in the policy of spending more money and incurring more expenditure on annual maintenance on Cr. Foote’s pampered pet— Caroline Bay.—l am, etc., FATHER OF CRICKETERS. Timaru, May 8.