Empire Cricket Booklet

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JAMES LOGAN

"qualities" probably enticed the same individuals into politics.' 26 The Laird's support of first-class cricket was part of his overall strategy of personal advancement. Like many of the game's early benefactors, Logan financed cricket tours by advancing money that had to be paid back with interest on the tour's completion. Sponsorship of high profile tours sometimes brought financial gain to Logan, but more importantly it brought publicity to promote himself and his business and political interests. The first tour with which he was associated was that led by W. W. Read during 1891/92. There were misgivings about the visit because of the British rugby tour during 1891. W. G. Grace was also leading another side to Australia at the time, and it was thought there would be little interest from the South African public. This proved to be the case, and a year later Logan was in court contesting repayment of his investment in the tour. Under the headline 'Cricket and Cash', the Cape Argus described the action before the Chief Justice, Sir J. H. de Villiers, at Cape Town's Supreme Court: Mr. James Douglas Logan, of Matjiesfontein, against Messrs. W. W. Read and E. Ash, well known in the cricketing world, for the recovery of the sum of £750, money lent. The defendants are resident in England, but gave security for the claim in the amount of £857. The plea of the defendants alleged that the £750 was paid by the plaintiff to the account of Ash, on the express condition that the sum was to be re-paid only out of the profits of the tour. The replication of the plaintiff alleged that he knew of no such agreement, that the money was lent to the defendants at their request, and that he was to derive no benefit or consideration from the loan. 27 This episode reveals contemporary attitudes towards cricket etiquette, finance and professionalism. For Logan, who would use the judicial system throughout his career, it represented a situation where he 'felt that his reputation as a sportsman was at stake'. 28 On 10 December 1891, Logan had met W. W. Read, the Surrey amateur and captain of the tourists, and Edwin Ash, the secretary of the team, at the Royal Hotel, Cape Town, where he agreed to advance up

Within weeks of the players' arrival, reports linking the Laird with Lohmann were commonplace and on his return to England inJune1893, the Cape Times was keen to report how Lohmann 'speaks in high terms of the kindness he received at the Cape from Mr J. D. Logan, with whom he stayed for three months at Matjiesfontein. The climate there, Lohmann says, is the best he has ever enjoyed, and he traces the improvement in his health to his stay in the district of the Karoo.' 22 Despite this optimism, Lohmann suffered a relapse and was forced to return to South Africa in August 1893, only two months after his return to England. He did find time, however, to first visit Logan's son, Jimmy, who was himself excelling as a cricketer at a public school in Polmont, Stirlingshire. 23 It was a further indication of the personal bond that had developed between the two men. Lohmann would remain in South Africa both for the remainder of that year and for the whole of 1894. While no mention had been made of James Logan during Lohmann's previous arrival at the Cape, this time things were different. Throughout his rise in fortune, aided by dabbling in diamonds, Logan had purposively aligned himself with key politicians and influential businessmen. In Olive Schreiner, his network even included a famous writer. In Lohmann, Logan had now secured what was missing in his 'collection' - a renowned sportsman. 24 As Logan's new charge, Lohmann was 'inseparable from his host', declaring publicly to the Cape Argus how 'Mr Logan's kindness has contributed in a great measure to my health being as near restoration as it is at present. He has a most genial heart and is one of the best sportsmen - in the proper sense of the term - in the world.' 25 Cricket and Cash: The Read/Ash Case The attraction of cricket for Logan becomes clearer if we investigate the character of both the game and the man. Indeed, from an early stage, Logan was aware of the distinct relationship that existed between busi ness, cricket and politics within the Cape's colonial community. 'Cricket's elitist ethos,' explained Jon Gemmell recently, 'ensured the involvement of men concerned with issues of status and stature. Similar