N.Z. CRICKET COUNCIL

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14339, 26 April 1912, Page 8

N.Z. CRICKET COUNCIL

A meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Cricket Council way hold last niyht, Mr F. Wilding presiding. Those present consisted of:—Mr F. Wilding (president), Hon. E. C. J. Stevens (.South Canterbury), J>r. Orchard (Kangitikei), J. LI. Williams (Wellington), A. 11. HolSship (Wellington), (,\ .. Francis (Wanganui), R. Vincent (Poverty Bay), W. . Bottrell (Marlborongh), A. i , ). ilardy (Taranaki North). H. C. Ridley (Auckland). G. T. We.s- rton (Wairarapa), C. R. Clark (Cantorbury), j>. Reeso (Canterbury), 11. 15. Lusk (.South Auckland). E. J. Austin (Otago), F. Brittain (Otago), F. .. Lahatfc (Hawko's Bay), J. Young (Auckland), A. Cant (Manawatu), S. A. Orchard (Southland), and F. C. Raphael (lion. sec.).

Tho resignation of Mr Treweek as a delegate to tho Council was received with regret.

Mr Francis moved, and tho Hon. E. C. J. ■ Stevens seconaed, a motion providing for tho alteration of the ll.awko Challongo Shield rules in tho direction of tho New Zealand Cricket Council fiwarding tho Cup to tho Association boing the winner of a tournamejit to be arranged by tho Council each Reason, instead of the winning Association holding tho cup until it is won by another Association under tho challengematch rules. Tho motion was carried.

Mr Brittain moved that the previous motion with regard to sending a team to Australia ho rescinded, not on account of the players, but on account of finance?. Tho Chairman paid the matter bad been practically shelved by tho Associations. Mr Brittain accordingly withdrew his motion. At tho conclusion of the meeting, Mr F. C. Raphael asked for the indulgence of tho meeting for a few moments upon a matter personal to himself. "As most of you aro .ware," ho said, "1 havo held my present position as hoti. secretary to this Council for n. good many years. As a matter of fact I was for six years hon. secretary of the Canterbury Cricket Association, and resigned from that position in order to accept my present appointment, which I havo hold for thirteen years, so that T am now in my twentieth year i'l these eapaoitirs. T'hi* boiling of the important, position as bou. secretary to this Council, has entailed an-imjr.onso amount of work, heavier probably than most of- you gentlemen can realise, but this work has been in no way irksome to mc. Indeed, it has bren my own. special little hobby, and although naturally at times, even one's pet hobbies bring their little worries, sti!!, looking ! back over the past nineteen years, my tonuro of office has been remarkably freo from friction or worry, and has been an exceedingly happy one. But i fully realise that however eulhusui.stic a man may be over any work, or .sport, tho time may come when it is desirable to have a change, and that it may bo in tho interest of the 'grand old gamo' that some younger man. in tho full possession of all bis youthful vigour, should succeed to the oince which I now hold. Ilaviug bnon so intimately connected with cricket for .so many years, and having uindo many lasting friendships through that connection, it is needless to s:'.y thai I cannot band ovc~ tho reins of oftico to any one else without a pang of deep rigret. I wiil. of course, carry on Iho secretarial duties until tho noxt annual meet ing °£ tne Council, but, in tho meantime, I must, must reluctantly, Ji.sk you to arrange for some gentleman to tako my piaco. Before siuhig down i 1 should liku to take this opportunity of thanking our worthy Prexic'.ene- for the grrat help and assistance ho has given mc for so many years, and also the Management Committee and dele- j gates, with all of whom it has been a j great'pleasure to -work." The Chairman said he was sorry personally t-o hear the annonueernriH made by tho srexotary. i hey ownd him a deist, o'i gratitude; they thought him vory unwise to cut away from ihe-m, and* they hoped that be would follow j tho case of soino of those older than him and reconsider bis decision to retire from cricket. He had fulfilled his position with tact and ability, for it was a very difficult position i o hold.

Mr J. YoHivj; said ho bclicvftl it was iiio iiniHiiriinus beliof of in Now Zetland that Mr Kap'iinel should retain tho position.

.Mr Raphael, in reply, i.2id that if it Tvpro tho unanimous'wish of the ddciratos. lie would reconiidor tlic mnttor and report to the now meeting of tho Council.