Lives in Cricket No 21 - Walter Read

106 As I am desirous after so many pleasant years of leaving with every feeling of satisfaction I would, with all respect to the Committee, suggest that some form of compromise should be arranged in lieu of my discontinuing the Assistant Secretaryship. With regard to what amount the Committee may think fair, I must of course leave that entirely in their hands. Trusting that I may receive a favourable reply. I am dear Sir Yours faithfully W W Read Incisively, the President replied: 2 Pump Street Temple EC 25 November 1896 Dear Mr Read I brought your letter of the 14th and our previous correspondence before the committee and have received authority to arrange with you a payment of £400 by 25 March 1897 in satisfaction of all future payments from the Surrey to you. This payment is made on the understanding that the Surrey Club are able to claim your assistance for all the First XI matches next year in which they desire you to play. With reference to your request that some further amount be paid you in consideration of your discontinuing to be Assistant Secretary, the Committee do not see their way to making any further payment. I must point out to you that the sum named (£400) is in excess of that which you were willing to receive according to your letter of 2nd September last inasmuch as you proposed that the extra payment of £100 and the fee for each match of 4 guineas should be contingent on the number of matches played, whereas the Committee are now agreeing to pay you at once not only the full £100, but a sum which represents 4 guineas for each first eleven match of the season. I feel sure that you will feel the Committee have met you in a friendly spirit. I am yours faithfully Richard E Webster Negotiations...no broken Read, he