DUNEDIN CRICKET CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 17764, 12 September 1921, Page 2

DUNEDIN CRICKET CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING. Major W. Fleming presided over the annual meeting of the Dunedin Cricket Club on Saturday evening. There was a fair attendance of members. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the Chairman said that the club had come through a successful season, and he wished particularly to congratulate the third grade team on their good play. He referred to the Joss eustained by the death of Mr J, West, who had been connected with the club since its formation. Mt West’s deatl), he added, would be a loss not only to the club, but to cricket generally. The chairman went on to say that it was gratifying to know that many of the old members, though not now actively engaged in the game, continued to take a keen interest in the club. The improvements to the Caledonian Ground would mean increased comfort both for players and spectators, and with the increased membership which was expected the coming season should be a most enjoyable one.

Mr Perry seconded the motion. The t#:reta-ry (Mr J. Robson) informed the meeting that portion of the ground had already been top-dressed; consequently practice wickets would be available immediately after football ceased. The Caledonian Society had been most considerate, and had promised every assistance in the matter of providing improved wickets.

The motion for the adoption of the report and balance-sheet was carried unanimously.

At this stage Mr L. Joel, representing the Otago Cricket Association, addressed the meeting with the object of enlisting the help of the members of the club in disposing of. the tickets in the art union which the association has promoted in order to raise funds to send a representative team north nest season. Mr Joel pointed out that the ordinary revenue of the association was very small, amounting to about £SO per year, so that for any special effort outside assistance was necessary. The trip would cost £l5O to £2OO, but against this there would be the percentage ofthe “ gates ” to which visiting teams were entitled. There would lie no rep. matches in Dunedin next year (unless Southland sent a team), so that source of revenue would not bo available. As an inducement to cricketers to make a special effort to help the association a prize of £5 5s had been privately donated, to bo given to the club whose members had sold the greatest number of tickets. Mr G. A. Wycherley, who is also a member of the O.C.A, executive, added his plea to Mr Joel’s. He had never felt so optimistic as now, ho said, regarding the position of cricket in Otago. The association had worked specially hard during the last •year or two, and they could new see daylight. They owed only a comparatively small -amount of money to the banks, and if the art union was a success (and there was no reason why it should not be), and donations which had been promised were obtained, then all would be, financially, well.

The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Major W. Fleming; vice-presidents—Messrs G. A. Wycherley, C. Speight, E. S. Wilson, A. Begg. W. Latham, W. Glass, A. Johnson, W. W. Mackersy, E. Briggs, and C. Eyre; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr J'. Robson ; assistant secretary, Mr R. L. Fairmaid; committee—'Messrs V. Perry, R. L. Fairmaid, L. Grigg, R. O. Torrance, V. C. Hardic, W. M’Kay; club captain, Mr R. C. Torrance; deputy captain, Mr J. Bond; Selection Committee—Messrs Torrance, Hardie, and Bond; delegates to 0.0. A.Messrs Wycherley, Robson, and Fleming; hon. auditor, _Mr C. Eyre; delegate °to Sports Protection Association, Mr J. Robson.

The chairman congratulated Mr L. Grigg on being again the winner of the Maclean Cup for the best batting average in the club.

The Chairman then proposed that Mr W. W. Mackersy be made an hon. life member. In doing this ho spoke in high terms of strong and consistent support given over a large number of years •by Mr Mackorsy, who had now announced his retirement from the game. Mr Wycherley seconded the motion, remarking that he had never in his twentythree years’ membership known Mr Mackersy to shirk his full share of the work. The motion was agreed to with acclamation.

A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded ilr A. Grogan for his services as scorer.

The subscription was fixed at 30s for senior and 20a for junior members, with an age limit. The opening of the season was fixed tor Saturday, October 1. It was resolved that the club’s delegates be instructed to support the principle of one-day matches in respect to all except the senior grade. Aftef a general discussion on coaching and other rhrjters of interest the meeting closed.