CRICKET.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1904, Page 2

CRICKET.

♦ WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION-. ANNUAL MEETING. Tho Wellington Cricket Association hela its annual meeting in tho Exchange Hall last overling. Mr. J. P. Firth presided, and there was a large attund&nco of delegates from the various clubs. Tho annual report, which has already been published, and the balance-sheet showing a balance of £450 3s 2d of as;et*3 liabilities, wore read and adoot"1. Tho Chafrrwn, in moving tho adoption of the report, referred to the complaints which had been made about the unsatisfactory state of the .pitches on the Basin Koservc, nnd expressed th« opinion that more money should be spent on tho ground. Ho bcHcved the necessary money for this work could bo obtained by subscriptions from supporters of the ga-no. A great deal had been said ag.-.inst cutting up tho Basin Reservo for municipal works, but ho contended that it would havo been the oest thing that could have happened for the adviwcu mont of cricket in Wellington. Until thnt was done thoy would always be faced with tho question of defective grounds. This, ho considered, was in a largo measure tho reason why Wellisgton could not successfully compote against second and third class teams from other "countries. The motion was seconded by Mr. A. T. Bate, who said it had been the Committco's intention to improve the Basin Reserve during last winter, and the failure to do so was no fault of tlio Association's Committee. Application had been mado to the City Council for permission to do tho work, but it had delayed tho matter until it was too late to commence the improvomonts this year. Tho Association got littlo thanks and no support for its efforts to improyo tho Basin Reserve. The City Council permitted other athletic bodies to use the ground, and the Association got nothing From them towards the cost of keeping tho ground in order and repairing tho damage which these organisations often did. As long as tho Association stuck to tho Basin Reserve, cricket in Wellington would suffer. Mr. Ltickio also spoko on the subject of grounds. He admitted that it was advisnblo to secure new grounds, but protested against even tho suggestion of abandoning the Basin lio^arve, for it would always be required for practice purposes. Air. 0. A. Richardson r Terred to tho standard of play in Wellington, and expressed tho opinion that tho chief cause of the weaknoss was duo to the lack of interest amongst young players. In Sydney thoy made considerable sacrifices in order to improve thoir play, and until their oxample wns followed by tno youth of New Zealand the game would not progress satisfactorily here. Tho Gas Company and the Newtown Clubs woro admitted to sonior rank. Tho new Federal Club forwarded an application to enter teams for the three highest grades. Tho question of admitting tho first team to senior rank was refprrod to tho incoming committee with power to act as it considered fit. Tho Thorndon Club was admitted as a junior and third-class club, and Albion as a third-class club. Rovers woro promoted from tliird-clnss to junior ranks. It was decided to icvert to the old system of tossing in each match for choice of innings right through tho season. On tho motion of Mr. G. Warren it was resolved that the press should in future bo admitted to all meetings of the Association. A motion by Mr. Salmon for an alteration of rulo No. 11 relating to decision of junior or third-class matches unfinished within two Saturdays was lost. Tho question of(Jhe composition of tho Management Committee was introduced by a notice of motion by Mr. T. Brodie, who contended that tho business of tho Association could bo transacted moro efficiently by a smaller body. The motion, which proposed to altor rule 4, was carried by a largo majority, and tho Committee will in x future be composed of seven delegates, one member of each championship committee, ono member of the Seloction Committee, one subscribing membors' dolo^ato, and various officers of the Association as ex officio members. On tho motion of Mr, S. Jacobs, the rule relating to defaulters was altered. Thoy may now bo posted up to tho beginning of October instead of the beginning of May. Tho following officer's woro appointed for tho onsing year : — Patron, Lord Plunkot; President, Mr. H. D. Bell; ViceProsidonts, Mossrs. C. W. Bonbow, J. Lachman, D. J. Nathan, J. P. Firth, C. A. Knapp, R. M. Simpson, John Duncan, Drs. Coihns and Newman, nnd Rev. Father Keogh ; Senior and Junior Championship Committee, Messrs. A. Ashbolt, C. E. Stevens, and E. F. Upham; Third-class Committee, Messrs. C. D. Robertson, E. B. Vance, and B L. Salmon ; Selection Committee, Messrs. A. Ashbolt, C. A. Richardson, and A. F. Wrren; Hon. Members' Delegates, Messrs. A, T. Bate, W. Simm, and Dr. Fyffo ; Vieo-President to New Zealand Cricket Council. Mr. H. D. Bell; Delegjftos to New Zealand Cricket Council, Mossra. C. A. Treweek and J. U. Collins ; Hon. Secretary, Mr. 0. H. Maiison ; Hon. Troasnrer,, Mr. I. Hyams; Hon. Auditors, Messrs. G. Millward and J. Murray ; Management Committee, Messrs. M. Luckio, T. Brodio, R. S. Howell, F. Kelimg, G. Warron, W. E. Bothuno, and A. E. Barton. Tho following are tho ox officio membors: — Patron, President, Vico-Prosidonta, Hon. Secretary, and Hon. Treasurer. . . It wns decided to- recommend tho incoming Committeo to create a fourthclass competition, and to approach tho City Council (in conjunction with tho football organisations) with reference to tho provision of moro athletic grounds. Tho Chairman pointed out the necessity of commencing matches punctually, and said if a visiting team did not attend tho Collogo grounds up to timo tho Collogo team would claim tho match by default.

The eleventh annual report of tho United Tradesmen"'* Cricket Club, to be presented to-morrow night, shows tho club to bo in a good financial position, thoro boing a cash balance of £5 12s 9d. Tho club played seven matches in the competition, and finished third after drawing four matches, winning two, and losing one. Tho club dtlegnte to tho nssociution hns been instructed to move that in future all matches for the Wednesday competition bo played to a finish. The thanks of tho club nre given vo Mr. C. A Knapp and MT. W. Campbell, VjccPresidents, for donations and trophies; also to the press for assistance last season. Tho batting average of the c.ub has been won by Mr. T. Taylor with an average of 35, and tho bowling by Mr. Thomas with an average of 10 runs per wicket. Tho annual meeting of tho Union Cricket Club was held last night, Mr. J. 11. Bonner in tho chair. Tho report showed that both senior and junior tonms acquitted themselves with credit last season. The club will start tho year with a small' balance. The election oT onice-bearers for the ohsuing year resulted s— President, Dr. Faulkc : Vice-Prwridcntu, Messrs. T. Bush, J. Godber, G. Winder, G. Aldoue, J. M'JSldownev E. Harris ; Practico Captain, Mr. J. H. Bonner ; Secretary and surer, Mr. J. O'Sullivnn. The election of captains of the senior and junior terns was left over. Voles of thanks wcro passed to the donors of prices, and to the retiring office-bearers.