NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14964, 11 May 1914, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL.

D03II>"I0N TEAM'S TOIJB IN

AUSTRALIA.

SALAXCE-SHEET CRITICISED

Tbe fjuariorly general mooting of the New Zealand Cricket Comicil was lipid on Saturday night. Present: Messrs J. J. Clark (president Otago Crickot Association), C. Wylde-Brown, H. C. Ridlej (Auckland), A. T. I>oniiolly (South Auckland). F. H. Labatt tHawke's Bay). It. Vincent (Poverty Hay). A. W. Hardy (North Taranaki), J. H. Williams, hon. treasurer (Wairarapa'i. G. I*. Francis (Wanganui), E. Cay«ill, proxy for Mr C. R. Clark, A. Cant, prosy for Mr D. Reeso (Canterbury), E. J. Austin (Nelson), F. E. Brittain, J. F. Peake (Otago), S. A. Orchard (Southland), J. B. Barrett (Manawatu), J. Fanning, C. G. Wilson (Wellington), Dr. Orchard (Rangitikci) and Mr F. C. Raphael (hon. s-ocretary). Apologies for absence were made for the president (Mr E. Hoathrote Williams), and Messrs F. Wilding, C. R. Clark and l>. Reese. Mr J. J. Clark was elected chairman. THE PLUNKET SHIELD. | Mr S. A. Orchard moved: '"That the Southland Association lie permitted to engage in Plunket Shield matches." Ho pointed out that cricket was making great strides in Southland, and tlie players were entitled to have an opportunity to compete for the Plunkefc Shield. Mr J. S. Barrett seconded. Mr H. C. Ridley said lie. did not think it advisable to pass the motion as the inclusion of Southland might Tiavc the effect of reducing these matches to a farce. 3ir G. F. Francis expressed the' opinion that Hawko's Bay and Southland should understand that they were admitted to tho competition only when the major Associations saw their way to include them in their tour. - " 3ir E. Caygill did not consider that Southland was yet fit for Plunkot iSTiield matches owing, to a certain extent, to tho poor returns from matches played in Southland and tho expense of taking teams there. Mr C. Wylde-Brown thought that the younger Asociations should have an opportunity of competing. Mr A. T. T>onnelly said that there wae now no objection to Southland being, permitted to play in Plunket Shield matches as that Association was propared to he admitted on the same conditions as Hawko's Bay. The chairman said that the Otago Association Was in favour of tho motion. Tho Southland players were .good sports, and were doing, their \itmost to improve, the game. If they could take part in Plunkot Shield matches when they could it would help to improve cricket in Southland • immensely. . ' Tho motion was - agreed to by thirteen votes to fire. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Mr Francis submitted the following report: — "Since the last quarterly meeting the tour of'the New -Zealand team in Australia haa lnsen completed. The balanoo-shcet ehowe a idea on tho (our«ot about £100, £'130 of which .wan borne by the Council and £63 10a by tho Wellington, Otajro, and Auckland Associations and £80 odd by the Canterbury Association. Certain associations had written to the committee" complainincr of certain items jn tho bala>ico*hect, ■ and your committee thought it desirable that tbeeo letters should be placed before the Council. The tour was on .the whole, successful from the playi.ifr point of view, but <he team was unfortunate in failing toextond the New South. Wales arid' Victorian matches to beyond tho 6econd day, thus impairing tho financial reeult of the ttur ' ■ ■ "Tho visit of tho fino combination of Australian players, secured by Mr Arthur Sims was the moano of creating considerable enihueiasm in the game. Most of the a.-soc-'iv-tiona cleared expenses, but unfortunately the Council lost'£l47 Us- 2d on. thfi"Two test matches." However, owing to heavy coat of getting New Zealand team* together the com . ' 'TOitteo ia alwaye faced with the prospect of almost certain loss in theeo matches, but 'there can bo no' doubt that it k in the interest of the gamo tTiat they should he played and that the money" so spent is woil spent The committee decided this year to play the teat matches in Auckland and Duncdin, as neither of theee centres bad previously ■witnessed a New Zealand match. "We are now ir. negotiation with 'the South Australian with tho view of ar xitnginjj a tor.r in New Zealand next Geas.in for .1 team from that State. We, have also _ received Communications from Queensland and I'iji, cone-deration of which has been held over pending a reply from South Australia. , ' L ** - *ftfe> t< i;eport was received.