SUMMER SPORT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 26 August 1926, Page 3

SUMMER SPORT.

OKAIAWA CRICKET CLUB. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the Okaiau a Cricket Club was held im the Okaiawa Town Hall last evening, Mr E. G. Betts, retiring president, presiding ever a fair attendance of members. Lbe annua] report was as follows: “The past season can be looked on as a most successful one. Our team was leading at the end of the second round, but did not play U p to form in the final round, and finished in third position on the championship ladder. “The club won nine matches and lost six, the average score per innings being 128 runs. The bowling average was headed by H. Le Fleming, with 10 wickets, .at a cost of eight runs a wicket, A. Thomas being in. .second, position with 40 wickets at 0.05, and 3>. Crawford third, with 37 wickets at 9.5. H. R. Penny headed the batting average, with 39. G runs per innings, 1* M Pratt (21.5) and A. Betts (19.4) being next respectively. < i l G M A Pru . tt > A - J > tts > H - R - Penny and I>. Crawford (gained representative honours' during the season. The’ tar and t?and practise wicket was a great success, and made practice a pleasure, lho match wicket also played well, but the outfield was very rough, and some improvement in the'form of top-dress-ing and rolling is desirable for the coming season.

“The elub’s material l is in good order aud the financial position is sound. '■Vith the prospect of improvement in oui 1 many young players we can look forward to the coming season with confidence. ’ ’

The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of :£.5 5s Bd, there bein°* a profit of £4 6s 8d on the seasons' working.

The adoption of the report and balance-sheet was moved by the chairman, who congratulated members on their performance during the season, and complimented them on their exemplary behaviour, both on and off the field.

The motion, was seconded’ by the club captain, Air H. R. Penny, who endorsed the chairman’s remarks. The report and balance-sheet were adopted without discussion. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Officer® for the ensuing year were ejected as follow Patron, Mr J. Barclay; president, Mr E. G. Betts (reelected) : vice-presidents, Messrs C. E. Betts, L. Houlaban. T. Times and J. E. MeulL (re-elected) ; lion, secretary and measurer. Mr A. Betts; club captain, Mr H. R . Penny (re-elected); vioe- . captain, Afr P. AT. Pratt (re-elected); delegates to the association, Messrs E. G. Betts and H. R. Penny (re-elected) ; selection committee, Messrs H. R. Penny and B. M. Barclay (re-elected), and A. Betts; auditor, Mir A. .Lees (reelected) ; general committee, president, vice-presidents, secretary and other officers and Messrs V. Betts, A Thomas, and H. Betts. The retiring secretary (Mr B. M. Barclay) declined to accept nomination for re-election. UMPIRES’ ASSOCIATION. The advisability of taking action with a view to the formation: of an umpires’ association was urged by Mr C. E. Betts, who stressed the advantages which, would be secured by having recognised umpires available for the competition fixtures. On the suggestion of Mr H. R.. Penny, the delegates to the association were instructed to move that the subject, which had. been previously been considered, lie re-opened. GENERAL. Subscription fees were fixed on the same scale a® previously, viz., playing members £1 Is, members under 18 years 7s 6d, an<l hen. members ss. An addition levy of 5s per playing member for a Hern on tea. was authorised. On the conclusion, of a. round table discussion, it was decided that, if the necessary permission could be obtained, the match wicket on the -Toll Park be surfaced with tar and sand. Messrs E. G. Betts, Penny and Barclay were appointed a. sub-committee to go into the matter of procuring a heavy roller. ~ it was decided to hold the opening practice on Saturday, September 11, commencing at 2 p.m. « Votes of thanks to the officers of the previous season and the Press were carried by acclamation, special mention being made, of the services rendered by the retiring secretary (Mr B. M. Barclay) during a period of two years. ANNUAL BALL. Several lady supDorters of the’ club were in attendance at a. meeting held earlier :in the evening, when details were arranged for the’ preliminary organising work in connection with the annual hall to be held on AYednesday, September S. A ladies’ committee, comprising Mesdames H. Kasper, AY. Baker. AY. Bowman, H. R. Penny, AY. Johnson and the Misses Betts' and - Eustace, with, power to- add, was appointed to attend to the supper arrangements, and decorations, with the assistance ol the gentlemen’s committee. ;

An offer made by Mr C. E. Betts to provide a free ’bus service from Kapongr was accepted with thanks. The secretary was requested to issue imitations to contemporary elites, and it was expected that tire gathering: will include visitors from all parts of the district. It was also decided to engage r>. we!; 1 ,-known and popular. orchestra, and, judging from the enthusiasm displayed. nothing which will tend to ensure the success of the function will be left undone by the committee. i THE E A WEB A CLUB. ANNUAL REPORT. YEAR’S WORK REVIEWED. The annual report of the liawera Cricket C'.ub, to be .submitted ro the annual general meeting, which will be held on September 3, is as follows: “The club, following its usual custom, divided its strength and entered two teams in the senior competition, and we are pleased to record that the Excelsior team finished second in the championship of South. Taranaki, being defeated by Stratford in the final play-off. The second team, the Midlands, improved greatly towards the end of the season, and was mainly responsible for the interesting finish of the competition bv defeating two of the leading teams in the last round. In the junior competition one team only

was placed, and it succeeded in winning the junior championship shield, which is now held by the Hawera Club for the third time. “From the balance-sheet it will be seen that the club will commence the new season with a credit balance of £l6 8s 9d, and the club is to be heartily congratulated on this account. This was mainly brought about as the result of a concert which the club held at the beginning of the season, and in this respect the thanks of the club are due_ to St. Mary’s for the free use of their hall, and to the many performers who so kindly offered their services. Outstanding subscriptions amount to £2 Bs, and it is hoped to collect the whole of this amount. Members would greatly .assist the club .secretary and the finances of the club by paying their subscriptions promptly. “The asphalt practice wicket laid down has proved a great success, and more than warranted the expense incurred. During the last couple of months a. lorry load of papa was procured and spread over a limited area, with a view to improving the match wickets, and this experiment will be watched with interest. In this connection we are greatly indebted to Mr. Garnett, who supervised and assisted in carrying out the work. “A pleasant function which marked the close of the competitions was the social lie’ld by the club, which was well attended' by club members, supporters, and representatives from outside clubs. At this social the shield was presented to the juniors, and Messrs Bennett and Sutton’s, trophy of a cricket bat was presented to .jack Cheevcrs, as the niost improved player in the club. The opportunity was also taken by the South Taranaki division to make a, presentation to Air. B. McCarthy in recognition of his very valuable services to cricket in the district. “Congratulations are extended to Mr. Stanley Lay, one of the club members, on being selected to represent New Zealand at the Australasian athletic championships held at Brisbane recently, and, on his meritorious performance of establishing a. further Australasian record at javelin throwing. “In conclusion, the sincere thanks of the club are extended to the press for the great assistance given the club in particular, and cricket in general, in the advertising of teams and very full and interesting reports of matches. “Prospects for the coming season seem very bright.”