Administrator honoured

Press, 22 October 1986, Page 48

Administrator honoured

Jack Saunders, who was recently elected a life member of the New Zealand Cricket Council, began his exceptional service to the sport at senior level as a 17-year-old member of the 193435 Old Collegians first XI. Although his career was interrupted by military service in World War 11, Mr Saunders went on to make 147 appearances for his club over the next 25 summers. An all-rounder, he aggregated 4200 runs and took 229 wickets. Mr Saunders made his highest score, 104, in a 1951-52 game against Sydenham in which he also captured 11 wickets for only 71 runs. By then Mr Saunders was already giving much of his attention to cricket administration, an interest begun as a member of the Canterbury management committee in 1940-41. After the war, during which he was mentioned in dispatches, he began a nine-year term as C.C.A.

secretary, was treasurer for five years, and subsequently Canterbury’s president. In 1971; in recognition of a quartercentury of selfless service, Mr Saunders was elected a life member of his provincial body. The recent N.Z.C.C. life membership was Mr Saunders’ sixth. He has been similarly honoured by the Old Collegians and Weedons clubs, the M. and the Victory Park Board. During his 13' years on the board, Mr Saunders assisted in the dramatic expansion of Lancaster Park. He was chairman when the No. 1 grandstand was opened. At national level, Mr Saunders was a Canterbury delegate to the N. for many years before starting a 16-year period on its board of control in 1966. For most of that time he lent his accountancy skills and experience to the position of treasurer, and in 1973 managed the New Zealand team on its tour of England.