LANCASTER PARK CRICKET CLUB.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9512, 7 September 1891, Page 6

LANCASTER PARK CRICKET CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. The ninth annual meeting of the Lancaster Park Cricket Club was held in Warner’s Hotel on Saturday night. There was a good attendance, and Mr P. Wilding, Vice-President, occupied the chair. An apology was received for the absence of ■Mr W. D. Meares, the President. Mr F. H. Labatt submitted the following report:—“Your Committee has much pleasure in submitting its report for the past season, and, at the same time, must congratulate the Club upon its position, which, taken either financially or from a cricket point of view, cannot fail to give general satisfaction to the members. The balance-sheet is satisfactory, showing, after settling all claims against the Club, a credit balance of .£lO 15s sd. The Club entered two teams, an eleven and a fifteen, for the Senior Challenge Cup, and the eleven, for the fourth time, secured that trophy, while the fifteen ably seconded the efforts of its senior team by taking second place. The Junior Cup was also won by the Club’s representatives under the able leadership of Mr Cooke. The President’s Cup team, although not successful in securing that trophy, was beaten only by the winning team. The Committee thinks the success of the Club, and more particularly that of the two junior teams, was to a great extent due to the consistent attendance of the members at the nets. Trophies were presented by Messrs John Waller, W. E. Cooke, L. A. Cuff and G. Marshall, and were secured by Messrs J. J. Lafferty and A. E. Bates for the highest batting and bowling averages respectively in the Junior Cup team ; by Mr G. Steere for the highest batting average in the President’s Cup team ; and Mr E. for general improvement amongst the juniors. The Club was represented in interprovincial matches by Messrs Cuff, Cant, De Maus, A: M. Labatt, G. Marshall, A. E, Ridley, and Wilding. Mr De Maus deserves special mention for his excellent performances in these matches, his averages reading thus—Batting 33-3, bowling 6'S. In addition to Cup contests, matches were played against Ashburton, Timaru, Lincoln Collage (two matches) and Kirweo, the only one lost being against the Timaru team, ihe Club has lost some valuable members, through various causes, since the close of last season. Mr Digby, who has loyally served the Club almost since its establishment, has been removed to Melbourne, and the Committee, in of his valuable services, elected him a life member. In Mr Harold Hassal, whose early death will still be fresh in the minds of members, we have lost a cricketer who always took a lively interest in the welfare of the Lancaster Park Club.. The Club will have to take into consideration the advisability of entering an eleven and a fifteen or two elevens tor the Senior Cup competition during the coming season.” The balance-sheet showed receipts (including balance from 1890 £8 4a) £192 3s, and expenditure £lßl 7s 7s. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows President, Mr W. D. Mearea; Vice-Presidents, Messrs J. Waller, E. H. Rhodes, G. G. Stead, A. M. Ollivier, and W. E. Cooke. Hon Secretary and Treasurer, Mr W. Wallis; General Committee, Messrs F. Wilding, L. A. Cuff, E. M. Steeds, A. Cant, F. H. Labatt, H. C. Ridley, A. Ridley, and G. Marshall; Senior Cup Selection Committee, Messrs F. "Wilding, L. 4. Cuff, and A. Cant; Junior Gup Selection Committee, Messrs H. Marshall, E, M. Steeds, and G. Steere; Delegate to the Canterbury Cricket Association, Mr L. A. Cuff.

It was decided that the Club join the Athletic Protection Association, and tho Secretary was appointed delegate to the Association.

It was mentioned that the Club had not a defaulter on the membership roll. It was resolved to enter two teams for the Senior Cup matches, and to ask for a handicap of four men for the second team. It was also agreed that teams should bo entered for the Junior and President’s Cups. lb was decided to ask Mr E. S. Harley and the Eev L. M. Isibt to officiate as umpires for the senior teams. The opening day was fixed for Sept. 26, and it was resolved that senior and junior matches be played, teams to be selected. The customary votes of thanks were passed, and the meeting closed.