DUNEDIN CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 20591, 17 September 1930, Page 7

DUNEDIN CLUB

Mr G. A. Wycherley presided at the annual meeting of the Dunedin Club held last evening. There was a large attendance of members and intending members. The Chairman, in opening proceedings, stated that the attendance was very gratifying, and augured well for the ensuing season. The club expressed its sympathy: with Mr \V. W. Mackorsy (vice-president) in his recent accident and illness, and hoped that he would have a speedy recovery, and that he would continue to take a keen interest in the club and cricket generally. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, stated that both wc.ro very fully explained, displaying the thorough'work of tho secretary and treasurer. The club was fortunate in having two officers of their capability. The report, taking it all round, was a most satisfactory one, and was a complete record of the year’s activities. The first grade team had not been so fortunate ns it might have been, hut cricket was mostly a game of chance. They had not received that little extra luck that made them the winners, but winning was not the only object of the game. Players should play the game properly and got enjoyment out of it. If this were done players would ho in every sense of 'the word cricketers. Their old friend Mr H. Torrance, again loomed up—lie had done so for a good many seasons past—and it was to he hoped that he would continue with his success. The fielding had not been up to standard, and the speaker urged older members to make an endeavour to improve this vital part of the game in the future. A good deal of practice would he necessary. A

bowler did not get much credit for bis work, hut wiieu tiie fielding was poor it made ins task doubly difficult. Was it not a brilliant piece ot fielding as well as a lino stroke Unit appealed to the majority of persons;-' Flattering mention had been made with regard to the veterans’ team, and he had Hoard that it might he unable to carry on during the ensuing season. It would be a pity to see it drop, lor it kept the old buffers ” together and kept the club spirit alive. Most of the juniors had performed well. They would have to realise that they would have to be more enthusiastic and attend practices more frequently if they desired to earn places in the higher grades. Juniors were always wanted, and he was sure they would go at it harder with a little encouragement. He was sorry to state that there had been a fair number during the past season who had not paid their subscriptions. This was a bad state of affairs for the club and the defaulters themselves, and he hoped that the matter of outstanding amounts would soon be rectified. They had managed to secure the Caledonian Ground for next season, and he believed it would be like getting back to their old home. Their old associations would probably return, and if the young men were to find the wickets as good as they had been in years gone by they would be a pleasure to play upon. Mention was made of, the coaching for young players, a number of whom, lie believed, had taken the opportunity of receiving a little advice and good coaching. In regard to the balance-sheet, the largest item was the fee paid to the 0.C.A.. this being very high. However, it was totally necessary to pay this fee to the parent body, which was doing good service to the various clubs. The attendance showed that the interest in club affairs was not lacking, and they could, lie felt sure, look forward to a very successful season. “ Boys, play the game as it should be played, and above all have a good tipie.” Mr J. Hobson seconded the motion, and in so doing complimented the committee in advancing the interests of the club with the social as well as the cricket side last season. He did not know where the chairman had received his information regarding the non-appear-ance of the veterans’ team this year, for, all being well, the old players were again keen to take the field. A fine feature of that night’* meeting was the splendid attendance of young blood. He was pleased to learn that thfe club was again to have the use of the “ Gale ” for the practices and matches. Turf was so much better to play on than the concrete wicket. Ho congratulated the club on its excellent meeting, and hoped it would have a successful season The motion was carried.

The election of office-bearers resulted: President, Mr R. C. Torrance; vice-presidents—Mrs Blaney, Messrs AV. AV. Mackersey, G. A. Wycherley, A. Watt, A. Grogan, E. S. Wilson, C. Eyre, R. Ferguson, W. Fleming, G. Baker, A. M'Croric, J. Robson, W. Latham, P. Shacklock, C. Hinclicliff, and W. Kindlcy; lion, secretary and treasurer, Mi P. Monk (reelected); assistant secretary, Air C Ritchie; club captain, Air J. Robson, deputy club captain, Mr I. Templeton; committee—Messrs -AY. Strang.' R. White, V. G. Cavanagh, C. Claridge, and R. Ditcbfield; delegate to the Boys’ Cricket Association, Mr R. L. Fairmaid; delegate to the Snorts Protection Association. Air C. Ritchie; bon. auditor. Air C. Eyre; Ground and Alaterial Coriimittce—Alessrs R. Torrance, jun., 11. Constable. E. Smith, and I. Templeton; Selection Committee—V. G. Cavanagh, R. White, and E. Prebhle; delegates to the Otago Cricket Association—Alessrs AV. Strang, 11. C. Torrance, sen., and J. Robson. Mr C. Cluridgo wrote intimating that, ns the club’s practice nets wore badly in need of replacement, be was willing to pay half the cost of new nets.—Received with thanks Ton new members were elected. As a number of score books bad been mislaid last season, the Chairman staled that it would bo necessary in future to have these books returned and the results given each week to the secretary, the captains to be responsible. The opening date was fixed lor October 11, The following trophies were presented before the meeting concluded:— M'Lcan cup and medal 'best club batting average), R. C. Torrance; Mr AV. Strang’s bat (second grade batting average), J. Porteous; Mr W. Alackersey’s bat (third grade batting average), G. Simonds; Mr R. Torrance’s bat (third grade bowling average), A. Dey; Air J. Robson’s bat (second grade bowling average), I. Turnbull; Air A. Grogan’s medal (best senior bowling average), R. C_Torrance. (This medal, however, was kindlv given by the winner to I. Turnbull.- a young player, who was runner-up.)