CRICKET.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8100, 1 October 1904, Page 2

CRICKET.

The annual general meeting of the two clubs was held on Friday night in the Fire Brigade Hall. There was a fair muster, nineteen members being present, and Mr W. G. White was voted to the chai*.

The balance-sheet, as read by the Hon. Secretary (Mr B. McCarthy) showed a small credit balance of 5s 9d, against which, however, there are liabilities amounting to £13. Aa £6 of the revenue was extraordinary as compared with the previous year, the clubs had really gone back to the extent of £19. There are, I however, a large number of subscriptions outstanding, some of which will be recoverable. The report deplored the lack of interest and enthusiasm shown by membets generally, but recognised that this was in a great measure due to the fact that, owing to having no ground man, the ground was not kept in order nor good practice wickets prepared. The committee are certain that, in order to ensure success, a scheme must be evolved to put the finances on a good footing, so that a man may be encaged to look after the ground. In conclusion, they called upon cricketers and those interested in the gam* to afford all the support possible, so that the great advantage of having a ground such as Bayly Park rent free may not, slip through their fingers. Mr White, in moving the adoption, regretted very much the deplorable state into which cricket had drifted. He could not understand it, in view of the keen interest always hitherto shown in the game, and urged every member to give the position his serious consideration. In discussion on the matter, Dr Westenra, with a view to seeing whether something could not be done, proposed that a .sub-committee bo appointed to canvass for members, in order to see what support waHkely to be forthcoming. He considered it was no use trying to carry on unless sufficient funds were available for a gnund man to be employed. The motion was adopted, and the :om mittee was asked to report to a full meeting, to be held on Friday evening. October 7. Members generally approved of this as being the only feasible way lo see whether interest enough to carry on could be roused in members and supporters. Messrs B. McCarthy, J. Campbell, J. Hobson, H. Elliott, F. Belcher, R. Pa#s and Rev. J. A. Jacob comprise the subcommittee, and, after the general me« ing, discussed the question, and agreed to canvass the town in sections to see how many playing and honorary memVrs could be secured. Several members i:ro mised an extra donation over and abov-* the ordinary subscription, so that funds may be forthcoming at once when it is decided to make a start for the season.