ALBION CRICKET CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 21822, 11 September 1934, Page 5

ALBION CRICKET CLUB

SEVENTY-FIRST YEAR. REVIEWED Th© seventy-first annual report of the Albion Cricket Club to be presented by the committee at the annual meeting of members on September 19 states:— Despite the severity of the economic depression and the effect which it has had upon the finances of the club during the past three seasons, it can sately bo said that the club has made headway during the 1933-34 season. The advancement has been due mainly to the exceptionally fine practice facilities offered at Logan Park, which each year is becoming a more important centre of sporting activity. The conditions offering at Logan Park, whilst costly to the club in these difficult times, have no doubt been an inducement to many players to join the club and thus counteract the Josses in membership sustained _ through various causes—mainly the inability of players to meet their obligations. As the result of the improved membership, a greater amount was collected in subscriptions than in the previous season, but the greatly increased cost off material, due chiefly to. the high exchange and the inferiority of the bats available last season, caused the committee considerable as the amount collected in subscriptions was not anywheie near sufficient to cover the outgoings. Various schemes were evolved for the raising of "funds and the most successful were the length of wire competitions, which returned £2 and £5 6s 9d, and benefits at the St. James Theatre, through the courtesy of Mr John Hamer, £4 Is and about £4. Thanks are duo to the members who assisted the committee in these undertakings.

It is particularly pleasing to note the general improvement in the payment of subscriptions by members. Practically the whole of last season’s obligations has been met, though concessions had to be made to some players who proved to the committee that they were not in a position to pay the full amount. Players should bear in mind that prompt payment of their dues considerably facilitates the workings of the club. When it is known that something like £4O was owing in subscriptions at the end of last season, it can he readily appreciated that the majority of the members are not showing much consideration for those who offer their services gratuitously in the management of the club. Four teams were entered in the O.C.A. competitions with the following results:—

Whilst championship honours were annexed in only one competition, the committee desires to congratulate players on their performances during the season. In comparison with the previous season, the standard of play showed a definite improvement in all grades, particularly'in the case of the third grade team which rose from the position of fourteenth on the list the previous season to the top of the tree. Actually the competition was decided on the averages of the two leading teams, namely Taieri and Albion, and along with the winners of the other grade competitions, congratulations are extended to Taieri on their meritorious performance. The success attained by the various teams during the season must be due largely to the consistent practice indulged in by the players, and to the valuable advice tendered to players by Mr Jim Baker whose services in the capacity of coach were greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, Mr Baker met with a most serious accident during the winter months and hie injuries were of such a character that they might prevent him from giving of his services in the future. Tho deepest sympathy goes out from the members to Mr Baker in his sad plight. Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon the value of fielding in the winning and losing of matches, and credit is due to the first eleven for their showing in this department during the season. For the Fielding trophy presented by our worthy president, Albion filled third place with 54 points as against 63, awarded to Grange, and 62 to Carisbrook.

Congratulations are extended to E. Downes on securing all ten wickets in one innings against Dunedin B Second Grade A on January 20, to C. J. S. Archer and T. French on securing the “ hat trick ” during the season, and to F. Binney (105) and W. Bazin (106) for registering centuries. Downes was presented with the ball (suitably inscribed) with which he accomplished the feat. An innovation last season was » Fathers’ and -Sons’ match at Logan Park on March 24. This game, which ■ arose as the result of a suggestion by Mr W. G. Pickard, proved to be a highly interesting fixture, and was of immense value in stirring up interest amongst old members of the club. Excellent Press reports of'the game have been placed amongst the records of the club so that there is no necessity to go into details at this stage. The committee hopes that the match will become an annual fixture. Special thanks are due to the ladies who generouslv offered their services in connection with the afternoon tea, and to M»" Pickard for his presentation to the club of a framed photograph of the teams playing on the occasion A more unpleasant task could not be imagined than the recording of the death of our highly-esteemed comrade. W. Vorrath, whose sudden illness and untimely end came as a great blow to every member and supporter of the club. Bill was highly respected by a wide circle of friends, and his gentlemanly conduct on the cricket field won the admiration of every player who knew him. He attained many successes in sport, and his loss ifco the Albion Club, both as a player and as an executive officer is inestimable. The deepest sympathy and sincerest regret has been expressed on behalf of the members to the familv of the deceased

Shortly after the commencement of the season, the committee was approached by the Arthur Barnett’** hadies’ Cricket Club for assistance in its development and the formation of m alliance between the two clubs. Tim Mbiou committee considered this to he a wise move, both from the viewpoint of stimulating interest in the game and of extending the social activities’of the club. While not a great deal of success was experienced in the latter direction, mainly through the apathy of members towards the dances arranged during the winter months, the committee is firmly of the opinion thal the amalgamation will ultimately be advantageous to both clubs. The ladies’ club has since changed its title to that of Albion, though it will still retain its identity in respect cf management and financial control, and

an appeal is made to members to induce their feminine friends to assist the new organisation. The annual social and dance of th» club, which is always a feature of the season’s programme, was held in tb» Moonshine Cabaret, and once again proved an outstanding success. Several other functions held during the season were also successful from the social aspect. Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon the wonderful financial support accorded the club by its vice-presidents and other supporters, and to the following, the club’s best thanks are due Sir James Allen, Dr A. Reid, Messrs J. J. Clark, F. N. Binney, G. Wilson, L. J. Joel, J. Wallace, Murray Thomson, R. M‘Kinley, V. Robinson, J. Abbott, W. Divers, F. Long, A. Hornwall, W. Beadle, Nevis Cameron, and A. S. Robinson. Special donations were also received from Messrs J, Abbott, W. Divers, A. Sharpe, and W. G. Pickard. Special thanks are also due to Mr HVorrath for the immense amount of time which he devoted in the interests of members, and his services cannot be too highly valued; to Mr C. Conley (scorer), to Mr S. Duncan (treasurer), to. Mr and Mrs Divers for their numerous kindnesses and for the use of a room for committee meetings; to Mr J. Knox for his work at Logan Park in the interests of the club, to those who assisted with the afternoon teas, to the office-bearers, to the umpires, and to the Press.

In conclusion the committee desires to place on record their sincere appreciation of the services rendered by the secretary (H. Greenfield), and the committee regrets he has decided to relinquish tho position which he has so ably filled for the past two years.

*8 £ m Grade. £ i 09 cS .9 S ti ft £ First Grade (4th) ... 10 4 8 3 ii Second Grade A (6th) g 5 2 2 12 Second Grade B (7th) 18 7 4 7 21 Third Grade (Winners) 17 12 1 4 28