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  contests were formerly conducted, when no title but birth enabled any player, whether gentleman or professional, to take part therein; and that, consequently, it be an instruction to the Committee, in the selection of our future matches, to give preference to those counties who adopt that rule.

"Secondly, that so long as the title to play in county matches is by residence as well as birth, the same may be acquiesced in by the Committee, on the understanding that no such player shall play in any respect of each such qualification during the season.

"Lastly, that it be a further instruction to the Committee that they endeavour to prevail upon all the counties who do not at present do so, to adopt the principle of the last resolution. It is believed that Kent, Sussex, Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire and Nottinghamshire, at the present time, play only those who are county-born; and it is thought other counties would follow in their wake if the subject were properly introduced to their notice, as tending to promote a real and appreciable contest between county and county."

Four years later the Surrey Committee raised the question also; and at a meeting of the representatives of the leading counties in December, 1872, a resolution was passed:

"That no player, either amateur or professional, play for more than one county during the season; but that he shall be free to choose at the beginning of the season whether he shall play under the birth or residential qualification."

A copy of the resolution was sent to the M.C.C., who weighed it carefully, and eventually the following rules were passed at a meeting of County representatives held in the Surrey County Pavilion at the Oval, on the 9th June, 1873, and confirmed at a meeting of the M.C.C. held in the Pavilion at Lord's on the 1st of July.

—"That no cricketer, whether amateur or professional shall play for more than one county during the same season.

2.—"Every cricketer born in one county and residing in