CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 132, 30 November 1935, Page 6

CRICKET

THE HUTT ASSOCIATION

AFFILIATION WITH WEL-

LINGTON

A decision to apply to the Wellington Cricket Association for affiliation was reached at a meeting of delegates of the Hutt Valley Cricket Association on Thursday evening. Sixteen delegates voted in favour of affiliation, and two, representing the Gear Club, opposed it.

The benefits to be derived from affiliation were set out in the Hutt Valley Association's circular as follows:—(1) NO fee for affiliation; (2) permission to engage in representative matches with affiliated associations; (3) the use of a first-class wicket and ground for representative matches in the valley; (4) the services of the Wellington Cricket Association's coach (J. L. Keating); (5) delegates from the Hutt Valley Cricket Association to attend the annual meeting of the Wellington Cricket Association; (6) the Hutt Valley Cricket Association to retain control of its members.

The chairman (Mr. C. Wrack) explained that the chairman of the Wellington Cricket Association (Mr. P. B. Broad) and the secretary (Mr. A. Varney) were to have attended the meeting, but had decided to stay away in case their presence might influence delegates. There had been two conferences, and affiliation was favoured by ™c sub-committee set UP t0 meet the Wellington Cricket Association. There would be no extra charge for affiliation or for wickets. There was no likelihood of the ground fees going up, and it was more likely they would be decreased. In the event of affiliation the association could get the use of a wicket on the Hutt or Petone recreation grounds for matches with visiting teams. It was probable that the Wellington Association's coach would give some Hutt players a night a week and a series of lectures. He understood three delegates would attend the, annual meeting of the Wellington Cricket Association, and thought they would have power to vote. There was no suggestion of a delegate being on the management committee' of the W.C.A.,. but it might be possible to get

a representative on the executive. The Wanganui Cricket Association had said it would play a representative match with the Hutt Association if it affiliated.

In .reply to further questions, the chairman said that affiliation would not cost clubs more for affiliation to the Hutt Association, the Hutt Association would not have to pay anything for coaching, except perhaps the coach's bus fares, and Hutt players would be available for selection in Wellington representative teams. The Hutt Association would not lose its identity by affiliating. Mr. G. Collins (Gear Club) said he thought affiliation would be against the objects of the Hutt Valley Association. The club did not think the association could do better by affiliating. He knew there were internal troubles in the Wellington Cricket Association, 'and he did not want them thrust on the Hutt Association.

The motion for affiliation was carried, and it was decided to apply to the Wellington CricKlet Association for permission to play Wanganui on January 1 and 2, and Horowhenua at Levin on January 22.