U. C. C. CLUB.

Press, Volume XV, Issue 1995, 7 September 1869, Page 2

U. C. C. CLUB.

The following is the report of the committee of the United Canterbury Cricket Club, for the season, 1868-69, presented at the annual general meeting, held September 4th, .1869 :—

During the past season about fifteen matches have been played upon the ground, including the inter-provincial match wiih Otago, and a very considerable improvement have been observable in the play of members of the club. Tbe batting averages have been considerably higher than during previous seasons. This is owing to the improved state of the ground, and the increased regularity in the attendance of members at practice.

The use of a portion of the ground' has been granted to the Albion Cricket Club, the committee thinking it advisable to reduce the amount paid by that club, from £25 to £20, and to reserve the use of. the. pavilion exclusively to members of the XT. C. C. C. The Christ's College Cricket Club has occupied another portion of the ground upon the same terms as during the previous season. The following ia an abstract of the accounts for the past season, prepared by the treasurer, and audited by Mr T. D. Condell, and appended is an estimate of the liabilities and assets of the club :—

Receipts, £106 5s 3d; expenditure, old debts; £47 9s 2d ; expenses, present season, £54; total, £101 9s 2d. Balance, £4 16s Id. Estimated liabilities, £84 8s sd. Assets, £14 16s Id. Debtor, balance £69 12s 4d.

The above statement shows that the liabilities of the olub haye been reduced during the past season by about £10.

The purchase of fifty yards of india rubber hose, which waa necessary for rendering the working of the artesian well thoroughly effective, was a material addition to tbe expenses of the season, but the committee would call especial attention to the items, rolling ground, extra work raking, and to the liability to Mr Stewart of £12 10s, which has been incurred during the last winter. The committee found at the conclusion of the last season, that the centre portion of the ground was in such a state as to render it necessary that immediate steps should be taken to put it in a playable condition for the next season. An offer of Mr Stewart's to level eighty yards square in the centre of the ground for £12 10s was therefore accepted. The committee wish to draw attention to the fact that about £18 or £20 has had to be expended upon the ground during the last season, in addition to the regular wages of the man upon the ground. They would suggest that it would be a subject well worth the consideration of the committee to be appointed at this meeting, viz., whether it would not be desirable to engage the services of a practical man to take charge of the ground during the whole of the year. They feel certain that a satisfactory arrangement to that effect could be made, and that in the long run it would prove cheaper than the present plan of keeping the ground in order, by avoiding the extra expenses which have been before alluded to, and which are of annual occurrence. j

The committee suggest that as a means of increasing the funds of the club it would be advisable to make the subscription of mem*

bers residing above a certain distance from I Christchurch £1, and to give them all the | privileges of active member*. Also, that a j provision should be imde in tho rules, by : which any Dersons desirous of becoming life members of the club could dc so upon payment of a sum of £10.