CRICKET IN THE DOMINION.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19769, 6 November 1929, Page 7

CRICKET IN THE DOMINION.

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. FORTHCOMING TOURS. Tho annual report and balance-sheet of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Cricket Council for the season 1928-29 states that the work of the committee has been carried out tinder great difficulty during the past year. The committee was without tho assistance and experience of Mr D. Beese and Mr J. S. Barrett, while the death of Mr J. F. Feake made it necessary for a new secretary to take over the running at short notice. The committee desires to record its gratitude to Mr W. H. Winsor for bis acceptance of the post and its appreciation of the work he haa done since the death of Mr Peake. The Management Committee tried to arrange for at least two matches to be played in New Zealand by the English team after its tour in Australia had been finished. Unfortunately, it was found impossible to alter the Australian itinerary so as to enable matches to be played in New Zealand. However, the captain, Mr A. P. F. Chapman, visited New Zealand, and while in' Christchurch was (entertained at luncheon by the Management Committee. Many matters of interest were discussed with Mr Chapman, and the Management Committee is tinder an obligation to him for the advice and assistance he gave to the committee. M.C.C. Tour. No foreign team visited New Zealand last teason, but arrangements have been concluded for a visit by an M.C.C. team to New Zealand thia season. During the negotiations with the M.C.C. the Management Committee used every endeavour to obtain the best and most attractive aide possible. The team ultimately selected to make the tour is undoubtedly one of the best teams that have yet visited the Dominion, and New Zealand cricketers feel grateful to the M.C.C. for the opportunity given them to see some of the best cricketers in the Old Country in action. Thanks are extended to the Australian Board of Control for the way in which it has met the Council in arranging for the tour. Tour of England. At the Imperial Cricket Conference heid j in London on May 14th. New Zealand was invited to send a team to England in 1931. Thn Management Committee communicated with all afnliated Association?, ar.'j ask'-d for the opinion of the Associations on this proposal. The replies were all favourable, and a cable accepting the invitation was sent to tho iI.C.C, provided suitable financial arrangements can be made. The financiue; of the tour is a matter which must be considered by the Council durin? th? corair.z >ea-on. Ii is not the general intention of the Management Committee that New Zealand team* should go to England at such short intervals a* four years. It is felt that the visits to England should, as a zeneral rule, not be oftener than every Fix or years. However, the Management Committee is of opinion that an exception should made for our serond tonr. j-o that wo rr./iy Ftili have the of some players who toured Englaiid in 1927. Tho committee recognises that we must guard against tr.p possibility of our yonng rcc-n playing to rati' h cricket that their life's work may be prejudiced or affected. However, the committee. aft<*r consideration. :s i~ favour of a tour in 1931. Association Boundaries. Tho Association boundaries are unsatisfactorily defined a", the present time, arid the Management Committee has f-ne into ihe matter with th» Associations. The committee has prepared a statement fettir.g ■' j: the honr.daries nf all the Association', ar.d th» de>.r'ite:< v. :;; be a.-ked to agree to the boundaries tj defined in the Management _ Committee's scheme. The tni-'-f --.lteration is 'he ir.closioi r.f the larg> r part of *h» aims AS-ociation's territory in Pover-y Ray, the = miUer part having Veen «".-••«.) >:'■ .- Bay. The greatest d:ficiltv m defining the boundaries nf tho V.'r.ik i-'^A. icociatier,. but it hOT,ed rhat ti. r - now derln-d will he &«?*.:< 1 f-r r.-ttr.Vr of year.'. , ' Flunket Shield. >ime interesting r-.rr.+: : -■* ere 'a the Plat.ket Shield !<r:e-. the r*:>ort. and a* We!!:nctu'. ar.-i Auckland tied r-n points the Phieid was - - r i. according to the rile*, to Auckland. It -eer-.s fiat tho rules ;overring the c-:- - -■ : ■■rot at r-reaent satisfactory, and the Associationa have been invited to supply 'ingestions for amendment?, which win be considered at tho conference in November. Ma-awatu retained the Hawt;e Cnp. The Financial Positio::. ~'r- rn 'il siat-Tney h- " effect of the preliminary exfer. >cs connected with

the forthcoming tour of the M.C.C. Tho Management Committee was faced wi.h a heavy charge for the fares oi t . . but satisfactory arrangements to mee, i were come to with the Council s 11 will be noticed th3t tae ba^lance c*. standing guarantees from tne rariou% '* / elation* rr.ore than covers e draft. On the .success of the tour will future financial pc=it;on of tne the arrangements come to as tzr is humanly to foresee, at the Council to aroid a deSc.t. / merit of receipt- and exp'-nditur <1 bank overdraft 01 1 -•=> ' : a balance <~>i i*27 Os 4d.