CRICKET PROSPECTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 76, 5 September 1947, Page 5

CRICKET PROSPECTS

UNITED CLUB’S MEETING FOURTH YEAR COMPLETED .The annual meeting of the Whakatane United Cricket Club took place last Tuesday evening with a good attendance of members and prospective members. The annual report set out the

club’s activities as under:— The club has now completed its fourth year, again under difficulties, but in view of the improvements and re-organisation which are proposed, we feel that the future may be looked to with confidence. Membership: Difficulty was again experienced on occasions in fielding a full team. For members information, we show below how the financial playing membership has decreased. Season: 1944/45, 16; 1945/46, 18; 1946/47, 12.

It will be realised that this downward trend in the financial players membership must, be stopped. The solution is for all present members to pay their subscription promptly and also attempt to introduce new members to the club. At least 20 playing members are desirable as there are always a few unavailable, and this number will also enable players to have a day off when it suits them. Finance: The season concluded with a credit balance of £2l 15s 3d as compared with £lO 18s 7d the previous season. Assets now amount to approximately £2lO with no liabilities,- and we feel that ,the club’s financial position is quite satisfactory. • . Pitch and Ground: The pitch and ground are in a bad state, so bad in fact, that it will be almost impossible to play on the main Domain this season. You will recall the critical remarks made in Rotorua and Tauranga papers last season in regard to the Whakatane Domain. This state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue as it is detrimental to the town itself, as well as to cricket. Nothing has been done by the authorities in the past to improve the main Domain at all, and we feel the only solution to our problem is to apply for permission to play on the area known as the Showgrounds shift our pavilion to a new site, and play our fixtures on a matting on turf wicket. A letter has been forwarded to_the Borough. Council explaining the position and we understand will be discussed by the A. and P. Association, and the Borough in the near future. We urge the incoming committee to give this matter, priority and ensure that the new season will be commenced with no hold-ups. . - ‘ Playing Activities: The club was not as successful in the local competitions as in the past, due mainly to lack .of playing members, as explained previously. The ‘Williams’ Cup was lost by a narrow margin to Tauranga, and we would mention that a challenge has'been issued to Tauranga and we have been advised that we are now third on the list. A visit was paid to Opotiki and a very enjoyable friendly game was played, we look forward to more matches with Opotiki. During the season, two members of the club represented the Bay of Plenty Association and five members, the Whakatane Association.

Social: Our thanks are once again extended to th‘e Ladies’ Committee who did their part admirably on all occasions. During the season, visiting teams from Rotorua, Tauranga and Opotiki were loud in their praise of our ladies, and we hope they will continue to assist in the future as in the past. In conjunction with the P. and T. Club, an evening was held in the pavilion recently to farewell Mr A. A. Whitty a member of the P. and T. Club, who is leaving the district.

In conclusion, we would like to thank all non-playing members and supporters for their kind assistance and generosity,during the year, and we solicit their continued support. Mr J. D. Rivett who has been the club’s president since its inception in 1943 was again a tower of strength and we trust he 1 will continue to hold the reins in the coming year. Efection Of Officers The election of officers resulted:— Patron: Mr B. S. Barry. President: Mr J. D. Rivett. Vice-presidents: Messrs. L. Brown, W. Sullivan, A. Moore, S. Tippett, C. Jordan, P. Coutts, W. Howat, H. Dewar, H. Warren and R. Morpeth. Hon. Secretary: Mr W. J. McKenzie. Management Committee: Messrs. M. Le Pine, L. Spring, N. Rigden, F. Cameron, R. Schou and E. Chamberlain. Club Captain: Mr W. Crawford. Delegates to Whakatane Cricket

Association: Messrs. W. J. McKenzie and F. Cameron. Ladies Committee: Mesdames J. Rivett, L. Spring, W. McKenzie, W. Crawford, N. Rigden, F. Cameron, E. Chamberlain and Misses L. Moore and M. Patterson. The meeting declared unanimously in favour of Saturday cricket and delegates to the W.C.A. were instructed to vote accordingly and to present the club’s views on this matter to the Association. Satisfaction was also expressed at the progress made with the A. and P. Association in regard to the club transferring their activities to the Showgrounds. All present were of the opinion that the A. and P. Association had been very fair, and the club’s thanks were due to them for their splendid co-operation.