CRICKET.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12897, 31 August 1907, Page 10

CRICKET.

NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL.

THE M.C.C. TOUR.

A meting of the New Zealand Cricket Council was held last evening. Present—Messrs Caygill (chairman), J. N. Fowko (Canterbury), D. H. Thomson (Otago), J. Young, and H. C. Ridley (Auckland), C. Treweek (Wellington), W. Bottroll (Marlborough) J D. Lawrence (Buller), S. W. Thornton (Nelson), S. A. Orchard (Southland). R. Vincent (hon treasurer). Mr F. T. Lacey, secretary of the M.0.C., acknowledged receipt of a letter from tho Council. The committee wero very pleased to receive such a satisfactory report of tho doings of their team, and wero particularly pleased to learn that the team won popularity, and contributed to the advancement of cricket in NewZealand." With reference to the remarks respecting the umpire, ho pointed out that the presence of that official was due to the conditions agreed upon beforo tho team was sent out, conditions which wero faithfully observed by tho M.C.C. It would establish a*very difficult and undesirable precedent if the M.C.C. contributed in any way to meet tho loss resulting from the tour. Mr Thornton: And they have £23,000 to the credit of their reserve fund. (Laughter). Mr Vincent: Wo wore led to believe that we might get something from the M.C.C.

Tho Chairman: Wo can do nothing but "receive" this letter.

The letter was formally "received." In reply to the Chairman, who asked what the financial position of tho Association was in connection with the tour, Mr Vincent said that tho four Associations and tho Council's guarantors had received a refund of 10s in tho pound. There was now £365 in hand to the credit of the Tour account, and £81 12s to tho credit of the Council's ordinary account. Mr Raphael had made a suggestion that the Bum ol i;5l) from tho ordinary account should bo added to the tour account, and a further refund made to tho Associations. The annual revenue ot the Association was about £60, made up by subscriptions. This amount would probably come in before ChristTlie opinion was expressed that part cf the balance of the ordinary account should be divided among tho Council's own guarantors, and a motion was proposed to so distribute £70 of the balance. The actual position of the finances was explained as follows:—Four associations and guarantors on behalf of the Council guaranteed the cost of the tour to the amount of £2850. A refund of 10s 'in the £ had been already made to all parties, and the distribution of £365 now in hand would bring the refund up to 13s 4d in tne £. The Council had no liability to the Associations, but the guarantees given by the- Council's guarantors wero regarded as loans. The Coundil was therefore in debt to its guarantors to tho extent of 6s 8d in the £.

It was decided that the £365 be divided pro rata among tho Associations, and guarantors. It was further resolved that £70 be taken from tho ordinary account to make a further refund of 3s in the £ to tho Council's guarantors. Mr Thornton suggested that the Council should make a special effort, by subscription or otherwise, to clear off tho liability this year. A resolution expressing sympathy with Mr Raphael, who recently met with an accident,, was passed. Mr Vincent was appointed acting-secre-tary. It was decided to hold the annual meeting of tho Council on Saturday, October ,12th, Messrs Oaygill, Thompson, and Vincent were appointed a committee to draw up th© annual report.