CRICKET CLUBS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXII, Issue 7343, 11 September 1884, Page 6

CRICKET CLUBS.

MIDLAND OANTKKHUKY <-.<■'. The annual mooting of the members of thin Cricket Club was held bud, evening at the Commercial Hotel, About, twenty members wore present, Mr W. O. Judge \vn» voted to the chair. The hon Secretary (Mr G. Wabion) read the Commitb-e'h report for the season ISS:t.4,»»H follows :-- " lu laying before members the eighth annual report and balance-shoot, your Committee are ph-swed to be able to record that there is a credit balance of about 4J9 on the season's transactions. In view of the fact that last season the snb'.eriptinn was lowered from £2 to ItOs, this result in most satisfactory. On the other hand, it was not obtained without nemo sacrifice. As the ('round expense;-* were not loss, but more, and as the Club wan encumbered by a logney of «lebl amounting to upwards of J!IC>, the Committee hope that member* will nee that, with the lower subscription, the Club's officers found it absolutely necessary to eurtnil expenses in other directions. On the whole, the experiment of lower subscriptions and of a junior subscription has answered its purpose. We are confident of being able to make a more liberal provision in the matter of material for the forthcoming season. On the form shown in foreign matches by the members of this Club, who represented the Province last. Benson, wo had the strongest batting team in Canterbury. In all these contests our men wore unmistakeably to the fore. Unfortunately they did not show the same form in either of the matches against the winners of the Cup, tho U.C.C.C. A word of praiso is, however, duo to Sir Halloy for his consistent howling throughout the season, and little fault can he found with the fielding of the First Eleven, which showed a marked improvement on former seasons. In this department Messrs Barnes, Buchanan, Dudney, Fowke, aud Kayner fairly earned their captain's (and tho bowlers') gratitude. It is fast becoming a tradition that our play goes off as the season advances. From first eleven to fourth our players verified in a mournful manner fill expectations in this respect. Members assign as a reason the continued absence of prominent players at tho Association practices, which almost put a stop to Club practices after the New Year. Tho Wednesday afternoon matches were a great success in tho early part of the season. An effort will be uiado to continue them throughout the present season. While weakened by keeping a fourth eleven in the field, the other two junior teams had to meet exceptionally strong elevens, both of tho U.C.C.C. and L.P.C. Though worsted by those Clubs, they more than held their own in all other matches. James and Joseph Horner, Barge and Philpott all averaged over 20 runs an innings. Tho apologies of the Club are due to tho Leeston C.C. and the Methven C.C. for the disappointment caused by our failing to fulfil our engagements with them. If members who have promised to go fail at the last moment to put in an appearance, as was several times tho cose last season, we cannot expect anyone to undertake the responsibility of arranging country matches. By the return of Mr Dudney to England, the Club has lost the services of one of the most brilliant and effective batsmen who has joined for many years. In conclusion, we would earnestly impress upon members that the well-being of the Club largely depends on the interest they, take in it. Unless seconded by the sympathy of all, honorary officers can do little. They have not time to learn the wants of every individual member, but members can and ought to bring their wants under the notice of the officers."

Appended to the report was the balancesheet, which showed that the receipts for the past season had been -£l2l, and there was a net balance of £9 on the year's transactions.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The officers for the ensuing season were chosen as follows :—President, Mr W. H. Wynn-Williams ; vice-President, Mr A. P. O'Callaghan, M.H.R.; Treasurer, Mr E. Barnes; Secretary, Mr G. Watson; Committee—Messrs E. S. B. Bell, W. G. Judge, L. Cohen, T. Buchanan, A. T. Washer, W. H. A. Craddock, G. Rayner; Captain of First Eleven, Mr G. Watson; Captains of Junior Elevens—Messrs R. P. Hill and J. Garty ; Senior Match Committee—Messrs Barnes, Watson and Fowke; Junior Match Committee—Messrs Davey and Barge. Delegates to the Association—Messrs Cohen and Bell.

The bats given by various gentlemen as trophies were awarded as follows, and presented to the winners : —Mr Strange's bat for best batting average in First Eleven Cup matches, won by Mr J. Fowke ; Mr E. Fox's for best batting average in Junior Elevens, won by Mr James Horner ; Mr Watson's bat for best fielding in First Eleven, won by Mr E. Barnes ; Mr Barnes' bat for best individual score in junior matches won by Mr H. Bailey ; Mr Horner's bat for best bowling average in Junior Elevens, won by Mr A. P. O'Callaghan ; Mr Bell's bat for best fieldsman in Junior Elevens, won by Mr A. J. Barge. The Secretary, on behalf of the Ground Committee, stated that this year the Committee hoped to be able to reduce the expenses of maintaining the ground. A discussion took jilace as to the amount of subscriptions, following a motion by Mr E. S. B. Bell that they should be increased to £2 for active members, and £1 10s for junior members. Several of those present realised that additional advantages would be secured to members- by adopting Mr Bell's motion, but in view of the competition offered by the Lancaster Park Club, and the general view of the public that subscriptions- to cricket clubs should be as low as possible, they could not see their way to increase the subscriptions. An amendment was carried—" That tho subscriptions remain as they are, viz., £1 10s for active, and .£1 for junior members." It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Bell, to hold a dramatic entertainment to augment tho funds of the Club, and a Committee was appointed to carry out tho arrangements. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Watson—" That the uniform of the Club shall be dark blue and white striped shirt with cap to match, and that it shall bo compulsory on members to wear tho same at all Cup matches." Mr Watson called attention to tho fact that every member of the Club who had paid his subscription had the right to attend general meetings of the Association and vote. It was resolved—" That the meeting pledges itself to support, at tho'next mooting of tho Association, any proposal with regard to the reduction of the number of Cup matches which the Committee may agree to." Tho meeting also expressed tho opinion that the Association should institute Junior Cup matches, but limit them to those Clubs aide to provide suitable grounds. Votes of thanks wmt,- paused to those gentlemen who had made donations of bats and other material to the Committee. Tho meeting then proceeded to the election of new members, when thirteen names were added to tho Club's roll. A vote of thanks to tho chair brought tho meeting to a close. LANCASTER PARK. At a Committee meeting of tho above Club on Saturday, it was resolved that the general mooting of members should bo called on Saturday next. As several important matters will be laid before the meeting, a largo attendance is urgently requested. Gentlemen and ladies who propose joining the Club are asked to send

in thoir hauioh to Mossrs Henry Cottorill, hon Secretary, P. Wilding, Captain, or to any member of the Committee. At a wolbnttcnded Mooting of thu Upper Kieearkm Cricket Club the following ollleerH were elected for tho cunning mjftnont —l'rosidoitt, Mr W. N. Smith ; Captain, W. Gridley 1 Sub-Captain, J. Harris) Secretary, F, Savilht; Treasurer, J. Wood j Committee, Messrs Hrrtkn, J. Myth, llowiwon, Mulling, and J. fiowo. It was agreed to hold an opening match, Married v. .Single, on the first Saturday in October.