AUCKLAND DOMAIN AND CRICKET GROUND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 44, 4 November 1893, Page 375

AUCKLAND DOMAIN AND CRICKET GROUND.

BIT few people nowadays are aware that the site of I the present Domain Ciicket Ground was once a

tolerably deep swamp. Such, however, was the case. Mr G. Lankham, the veteran cricketer, who in early days resided where the Chinamen's Gardens now are, used frequently to find his cows bogged where the best matches are now played. Tbe idea of forming a cricket ground in the locality was conceived towards the end of ‘ the sixties,’ and was soon carried into effect. The ground as at first laid down contained barely room for two matches. Amongst the names of those who were prominent in connection with the formation may be mentioned Messrs F. D. Fenton, C. A. Harris (senior), Janies Russell, R J. Yates, W. F. Buckland, and J. Mumford. To Mr Yates, above all, do cricketers owe a debt of gratitude. He became one of the trustees of the ground in 1874, and continued in office until the City Council took control some four years ago. For many years he gave his services free as ground manager, and while so acting increased the playing area to treble its original size. Mr Frank Dufaur acted as honorary manager for some years after Mr Yates’ retirement, and then the late J. Mumford was appointed at a small salary, and held office until the City Council, as before stated, took over the ground. Their management has not altogether proved a success, and a movement is now on foot with a view of getting a more suitable arrangement, which it is hoped will be successful. During Mr Mumford’s term a further large addition was made to the playing area, which was thus increased to its present size, there being now room for some fourteen or fifteen matches as compared with tbe original two.

Up till 1880 there was no pavilion on the giound, the present building being erected in that year. Prior to that the players had no shelter beyond the trees except when a big match was played, on which occasions a tent or two would be put up. Amongst the first really impoitant matches on the ground was that against the first Australian Eleven which played through New Zealand prior to its departure for England in the early part of 1878. Though not all that could be desired from a player's point of view,the Domain Ground is without doubt the prettiest in the colonies, forming as it does a natural amphitheatre surrounded by gently sloping hills well-covered with oaks and other trees. Many thousands of spectators can comfortably view whatever may be doing on the ground from the lower slopes of tbe hills, and on an occasion like the jubilee of the colony, when it was estimated that over 20,000 people were present to view the sports then held, the ground and its surroundings present a wonderful and beautiful sight. Besides cricket, the ground is in constant request for all kinds of athletic sports, and is a very favourite place of summer resort for all classes of tbe community. In truth the present generation owe much to the men who formed and maintained the ground for so many years, but it is to be feared in the light of recent events that the debt is held in but scant remembrance.