§ MR. COXsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Commissioner of Works, Whether any orders have lately bean issued by him prohibiting the Public from playing at Cricket in Battersea Park, and giving to the Members of a Cricket Club the exclusive right of playing therein?
MR. COWPERstated that his study had been to make the Parks as conducive as possible to the amusement and recreation of the public; and in Victoria, Battersea, Bushey, and Richmond Parks space was set apart for cricket, subject to regulations in order to prevent those who played from interfering with each other. In Battersea Park there were thirty acres of ground devoted to cricket. The best portion of that space, about seven acres, was reserved for matches, and about four matches could be played at a time. Another portion was reserved for the public at large; and the third part was reserved for clubs, each being allowed to spend their own money in enclosing the grounds. The Civil Service Club occupied one portion, and the remainder was allocated to, he thought, the other clubs. The Civil Service Club had not taken ground which had not been allotted to them. The club was very large, and it was but fair that the clerks in the London offices should have every means of recreation and amusement; perhaps in this way they might get more work out of them.