THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9430, 2 January 1909, Page 5

THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

TO TBTE KDTTOR. Sir, — Judging from the remarks made to me by several cricketers blaming the Otago Association for the misunderstanding over the dates for the match against Auckland for the Plnnket Shield, I think it only fair to Otago that the misapprehension should be removed by a plain statement of. facts. As is generally known, Oiaeo were beaten rather easily last season by Auckland, but, being, satisfied that the team did not show its true form, immediately on their ' return to Dunedin the members of the Otago team decided to pay their own expenses to Auckland and make another attempt to win the shield. About March a challenge was accordingly issued for January 1, 2 and 4, and advice was sent to the New Zealand Cricket Council. Otago were advised by the honorary secretary of the Council that the challenge was quite in order, and Auckland subsequently agreed to the dates. f When the challenge from Otago came officially before a meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council, the dates named were approved, "provided that any other Association may challenge Auckland for dates previous to the Otago match." ,By an unfortunate oversight on the p«rt of the honorary secretary of the New Zealand Cricket ' Council. #Ie Otago Association was not advised 6f this important proviso, hence the trouble when Canter- ; bury was alloted December 25, 26 and 28. ' To get over the difficulty Canterbury genero.usly exchanged dates with Otaeo, and notified that in the event of Otago beating Auckland, the; Can-terbury-Otago match at Dunedin in February would be a Plunket Shield match. The Auckland and Otago Associations agreed to play on December 2{J, 29* 3Q, so as to give a clear day before the Canterbnry-Aiiokland match. The' Auckland and Otago captains having, however, mutually agreed, before Starting the match, to play for an hour extra on the third day to finish the match if necessary, the arrangement should have been honourably carried out by Auckland in a sportsmanlike