CRICKET.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 224, 28 September 1901, Page 3

CRICKET.

TIIE DISTRICT SCHEME,

Tuehk was a largo and representative meeting of cricketers at the Masonic Hotel last evening to consider the question of the adoption of u district scheme in connection with the game in this district. Amongst those present were : Messrs Julius Caesar, G. Crawford, It. Cole,

Crawford (To Arai), Evans (Te Arai), Ferris (i!), Tattersull, Rowland, Hawkins, C. Adair, Cummings, E. B. Martini 11. Smith, Kretchmer, Zachariah, Andrews, Hymns, A. Tanner, Sheridan, McDonald, Rogers, A. Adair, Hill, Seymour, Gush, and Johnston.

Mr Ilcllier Evans was voted to the chair, and in opening the proceedings brielly explained the object for which the meeting had been called. lie hoped to see the districts formed in such a manner

that there would be equal representation, as in the case of football. Mr Hawkins considered that the best course to adopt would he to appoint a committee who could go carefully into the question, and report to a future meeting. The Chairman approved of this course

being adopted. Mr Cicsar thought it was asking the committee to do a great deal more than they were able to do, and ho suggested that every cricketer in the district should be asked to send in his name to the secretary of the Association. It would then bo seen how many players there were in each district.

Mr Howland raised the question of whether the matches should be played on Thursday or Saturday. The Chairman thought they could lcavo question of the day until it was scon how the district scheme would work. Mr Hill thought that it should first be ascertained how many players there were in each district. Mr Cicsar said that as far as the country was concerned, Thursday was quite out of the question, Saturday being the only day upon which they could play. Mr Rowland proposed a motion to the effect that the meeting approves of the district scheme. Mr ,T. V. McDonald seconded the resolution. and suggested that a committee should be formed in each district, as in the icnse of football.

The resolution was adopted. After general discussion, it was decided to form a committee, whose duty it would be to suggest the boundaries of the several districts, and also obtain the names of intending players—both Thursday and Saturday players. The following were elected to serve on the Committee : Messrs Sheridan and McDonald (City), Gumming and Andrews (West End), J. Casar (Ormond), A. Crawford (To Arai), 11. Rowland (AVhataupoko), AV. Gibson, G. Crawford, and 11. E. Hill (Haiti). Mr Andrews asked if it was an understood thing that the Committee were to collect the names of the players, and whether they could play on Thursday or Saturday. The Chairman replied that that was what was intended. Mr Tattersall thought that cricketers would have great difficulty in getting a decent ground. Several players had visited the Victoria Domain during the week, and the pitches there were in a terrible state. One pitch was nothing better than road metal, and would cut up anv hall in ten minutes. The Chairman said that the question of a ground would have to be considered later on. Mr Hawkins said that in order to get a proper ground and good material each player would require to pay about two ■mineas. His experience in the past was that cricketers expected all luxuries.- ahd wanted to pay about live shillings and sixpence each. If they wanted a good ground, they would have to arrange for a caretaker. A vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding terminated the proceedings.