LANCASTER PARK CRICKET CLUB.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7143, 3 September 1888, Page 6

LANCASTER PARK CRICKET CLUB.

The seventh annual general meeting of the members of the Lancaster Park Cricket Club was held at Warner's Commercial Hotel on Saturday evening. There was a large attendance, and the President of the Club, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, occupied the chair. The Hox. Secretary, Mr W. N. Digby, read the annual report of the Committee. It congratulated members on the satisfactory position of the Club, both from a cricket and financial point of view. The Senior Challenge Cup had for the second time since its inauguration been won by the Club's representative eleven, who went through the season with au unbeaten record. The Club had also had two fifteens engaged in the Senior Cup matches, and the Committee thought much good had resulted to the junior players by their taking part in those niatchea. The Junior Cup team was considerably handicapped, owing to members leaving the Club, and the vacancies in the other teams having to be filled up from their ranks. Trophies were presented by Mr W. R. Cooke for the best batting and bowling averages in Mr Digby's Fifteen. Mr C. Jones secured that for the former, with an average of 32.11 runs per innings, while Mr W. J. Blythe appropriated the other with an average ot 11.11 runs per wicket. At the unanimous wish of the Club, the Committee engaged a professional bowler and coach during the season, Jaut owing to the numerous calls on the members, aud taking into consideration that the benefit received was not commensurate with the expense incurred, it wa3 resolved to retain his services for half the season only. The Committee recommended that no professional bowler be engaged by the Club this year, as they were of opinion that there were bowlers in their own ranks of sufficient reputation to meet all the requirements of the Club. Appended to the report were the batting and bowling averages of the various teams taking part in the Senior Cup matches. The balance-sheet showed that the receipts, including a balance from last year of £4 los ?d, were £23317s 3d, of which* the largest items were—members' subscriptions, £156 9s; and professional fund subscriptions, £59 10s. The expenditure, of which the chief items were rent of ground, £117 6s 9d; service of professional, £62 19s ; and material and repairs, £38 18s 7d ; amount to £231 19s 9d, being a credit balance of £1 18s. The assets stood at £33 and liabilities nil. Mr F. Wilding, the Hon. Treasurer, explained several items and said the Club had paid it* way during the year and came out with the credit balance as stated. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr L. A. Cuff, the report and balance sheet were unanimously adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—President, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes (re-elected) ; Vice-Presi-dents, Messrs A. M. Olllvier and W. P. Reeves (re-elected); Hon. Secretary, Mr D. W. Bennett; Hon. Treasurer, Mr b\ Wilding (re-elected); Committee, Messrs L. A. Cuff, W. N. Digby, W. J. Crawshaw, A. Cant, G. Marshall, A. Wailis, A. Ridley, and J. Fowke. Mr Wilding moved, as an addition to the rules, " That the Committee shall meet at least once a month, and at each meeting the bank book of the Club and a list of those members who have paid their subscriptions a-d those who are in arrears shall be produced." Mr W. P. Reeves seconded the motion, which was agreed to. After a discussion on the subject, Mr Cuff proposed " That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is not desirable to enter more than two teams for the Senior Cup." Mr W. P. Rjskves seconded the motion, which was carried. It was further resohtedj on Mr CrawSHAW's motion, " Tliat, in the opiniou of the meeting, it is desirable that if handicaps be allowed by the Association, that the 9econd team be a fifteen." 1 " The Senior Selection Committee was appointed as under: —Messrs W, N. Digby, W. J. Crawshaw and W. P. Reeves. The selection of the Junior Selection Committee was deferred till after the selection of the Senior teams. Messrs».W. N. Digby and G. Marshall were elected as the Club's delegate*' to the Canterbury Cricket Association. It was decided to the Committee the fixing of the date forane opening of the season, which was to be as early as possible. On the motion of Mr W. P. Reeves, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the sutgoing Committee and the Hon. Secretary. This concluded the ordinary business. Fhe President then presented the trophies won by members daring the past season. A hearty vote q* thanks was passed to Mr W. R. Cooke for hie generosity in presenting the trophies for competition. On behalf of jibe members of the Club ;he President also presented Mr Digby with a suitable gift in consideration of his past" services as Secretary. The Chairman *aid that it was owing to Mr. Digby's past jnergy in pulling the Club 'together, and in no small degree to hi*, past services iltogether, that they owSeid the-present good position of the Club! (Applause). Mr JDiQby and Mr Joxes. the winner of Mr Cooke's bat, both suitably replied. At the invitation of the President the members present drank from the challenge; ;up won by the Club's senior ;,hefuture success of the Club. . % GSCthe motion of Mr F. Board a hefttty roStffcf thanks was passed to the Srmithe meeting terminated. ~ _..