CORRESPONDENCE.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 2, 25 September 1880, Page 14

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Observer. Auckland, September 22, 1880. Sir,— Seeing that you appear inclined to give cricket a fair share of attention in your journal (which, I think, will supply a long felt wont and become an authority on sporting matters), I venture to give my opinion on a matter which, at the present time, is agitating the cricketing fraternity. The West End Cricket Club started the question by venturing to give expression to the feeling that they ought to be allowed a voice re the building of a pavilion on the Domain ground, and while not entirely agreeing with the strong terms in which the resolution is put, I certainly think that every club which has subscribed to the fund has a perfect right to have an opportunity of giving an opinion on the matter. I cannot exactly get at the maimer in which the committee (gentlemen who are putting themselves to a large amount of trouble) were appointed, and although I certainly thinkltbat they are entitled to much praise, yet as the question has cropped up, they would create a much better feeling if they condescended to stoop from the somewhat exalted position which they have taken up, and explained their position a little more clearly. From what I can gather, there was a balance of some forty or fifty pounds left in the hands of a previous committee, who were appointed to collect funds to defray the expenses of a representative team of cricketers that went down South, some time since. Subsequently, the gentlemen who are at present collecting monies for the purpose of erecting a pavilion were appointed trustees of the said sum. These are the facts as reported to me, and, if true, there can be no doubt that the committee have somewhat exceeded their duty, inasmuch as the money was subscribed by cricketers

and the public for a specific purpose, and there being a. surplus, a meeting should have been called, a report presented, and the subscribers then present allowed to say in what manner the balance should be expended. I have no doubt that all would have been willing to support the proposed disbursement, though there is a very general feeling among cricketers that a representative of each club should be on the building committee. With regard to the pavilion, the opinion expressed ia that the sum at present collected will not suffico to build a first-class pavilion. The course which it is now intended to adopt is to build in the centre, in such a. manner that additions can be made from time to time. As a rule, such buildings are amistake, being both costly and unsightly when finished. The other idea mooted, and which seems to be most generally favored, is that by. putting up two inexpensive buildings, one at each end of the ground, the convenience of the larger number of cricketers will be considered, and the site left for a good pavilion and grand-stand when funds are more plentiful than at present. Long Stop.