Letter to Mr Philip Sheridan, page one

This letter, written by solicitor C B Stephens to Philip Sheridan contains legal advice concerning the veracity of the Cricket Association’s claim that it had a right to control how the grounds were used and claim exclusive use of the ground should it desire.

This issue was a point of consternation since the formation of the Trust in 1876 and resulted, six years later, in court proceedings. A compromise was met where the Cricket Association had exclusive rights to determine cricket fixtures at the ground and receive preferential treatment over other activities. The Trust was responsible for managing the ground.

The letter analyses the land grant of 1877, stating that the site is to be used primarily as a cricket ground and secondly as a place to hold all other public amusements. It seems Sheridan, a diligent administrator and visionary of the Trust, was getting his facts straight before taking control of the ground.