THE CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12251, 21 July 1905, Page 6

THE CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION.

DISTRICT SCHEME ADOPTED. A meeting of the Canterbury Cricket Association was held last night. Present—Messrs A. E. G. Rhodes (chairman). H. C. Ridley, J. C. Clarkson, A. E. M. Young, A. Costelloe, H. Whitta, W. C. H. Wigloy, R. Vincent, J. Young, R. L. Bush. W. J. Walmsley, E. Jenkins, O. Caygill, F. C. Raphael, J. H. Williams, J. N. Fowke, J. E. Todhunter, J. D. Lawrence, A. Wilson, and D. H. Thomson (hon. secretary). The balance-sheet of the Association for the year ended May 31st, 1905, was submitted. It showed receipts amounting to £1205 10a 4d, leaving a credit balance of £175 JBs id. The following items were shown oh the credit side:—' By football £377 8s Bd, fireworks £6 4s 3d. cycling £109 15s, cricket £507, athletics £153 2s, swimming £25, hockey £3 10s, debenture interest £10, sundry receipts £13 lOs. , The balance-eheet was adopted. Mr Caygill moved that a eystem of district matches to take the place of Cup cricket ehould bo inaugurated. Most of the criticism levelled against the proposal had beem against the partial district scheme. Hβ could not agree with those who asserted that New Zealand was too small for district cricket; it was reasonable to suppose that the 60,000 inhabitants of Cnrietchurch should be able to find players enough for six districts. It was a progressive scheme which had proved a success in Sydney, and would induce the publio to take an added interest in the game. Mr Ridley seconded the motion, remarking that, though the prospects of the scheme did not appear to him so rosy ac to the mover, he thought it well worthy of trial. Mr Vincent said he would prefer a partial scheme to the out-and-out echeme, as he thought there would be difficulty at first in the way of arranging grounds. He considered, however, that district cricket would cause more publio interest to be taken in the game. The motion was then put and carried by 15 votes to 5. rlt was then unanimously resolved that the out-and-out; district scheme be adopted. _ .„ #k On the motion of Mx Caygill, it*" decided that districr. clubs ehould be formed for St. Albans, Riccarton, Linwood, Sydenham, Cbristchuroh East, and Christchuroh. West. The following rules were considered and adopted:—(l) A club shall be composed of members who have resided within the boundaries of their district not less than four months prior to the Ist October in each year. Any player changing his residence on or after Ist June shall play for the district in which he was residing on that date. Nothing in this rule shall prevent a resident or any district from becoming an honorary member of any other district club. (2) Any player arriving after Ist June may be allowed to play for the district in which he> is residing upon satisfying the Competitions Committee that he intends to become a bona fide resident. (3) That" all Association matches in which district or school club teams are engaged shall be played under this Association's rules for Cup matches. (4) That grounds be allocated to the various district clubs as follows: Lancaster Park: Christchuroh East and Linwood; Hagley Park: Christchurch West, Riccartori, and St. Albans; Sydenham Pork: Sydenham. (5) That) players residing in the St. Albans district use their best endeavour to obtain » suitable cricket 'ground within the boundaries of that district, at as early a <U l ' 3 M P oss i b '°) that this Association gives all assistance in its power, both financially and otherwise, to further such a project, f6)/That, boundaries of district*, as suggested, bo subject to revision at the close of eeason 11 3-7. A sub-committee, consisting of Mesrrs Caygill, Raphael, and Thomson was appointed to interview the Hagley Park Ground Committee in reference to fcho appointment of trustees, in whom pavilions and other property should bo invested. A further committee, composed of delegates- from the various clubs, was set up to consider and. report in regard to the fixing of boundaries.