DISTRICT CRICKET.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14432, 24 July 1907, Page 3

DISTRICT CRICKET.

PROPOSED REVERSION.

A PLEBISCITE TO BE TAKEN. The. committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association met last evening; present—Messrs F. C. Raphael (chairman), F. H. Labatt, S. Orchard, J. D. Lawrence, 0. Caygill, J. Young, R. Vincent and D. B. Thomson (secretary). ' • A letter was read from the United Canterbury Cricket Club covering the following resolution passed at a meeting of tho club on July 6: "In the opinion of the United Cricket Club, it is desirable to revert- to club cricket, the district scheme not having proved the success its supporters claimed for it."

A motion from the Midland Cricket Club was also read as follows: "That in the interest of the game the club system of cricket should be reverted to."

A letter ware received from Mr F. Wilding, apologising, for his absence, 'and stating that he thought that it would be a great mistake to abandon district cricket. Mr Lawrence said that a conference was to be held during the week between the United and Midland Clubs on the subject, and he suggested that the matter might be held over until then.

In reply to Mr Young, the secretary ' said that the two clubs were not affiliated to the Association, which was comprised of district clubs. . He had brought the letters beforo the committee, but he thought that it could not discuss the matter until it- had received instructions from the district clubs. Mr Young said that the committee had nothing to discuss. The chairman said that the committee could take no notice of information sent by the United and Midland Clubs, and woidd have to wait until the district clubs instructed four delegates to call a special meeting to disciies tho question. \ Mr Lawrence asked what would happen if four members were instructed to vote against tho district scheme, but were overruled. The chairman said that- things would •l-emain as they were, l , Mr Lawrence said that tTfe old cluhe »houM' be considered. They had given in to" the district scheme and given their grounds. There wore only four clubs at the time of the change. TheMidland Club had voted against the scheme, and now tho United Club was opposed to it, so that the vote was even. ,

Some, discussion having taken place in.regard to the time for which the district scheme was to be tried, the secretary 6aid that he had originally moved that the scheme should be given a three years trial, but the motion had been rejected- as it hadbeen considered that even to name a" time was a back-

ward step. Notime lad been named, the only condition being that at the 1 end of two years tie boundaries could be revised. .- . Mr Lawrence said that it was clearly understood by the Midland and United Clubs that the trial was for two years. Mr Orchard said that he favoured a further trial. Mr Lawrence said that there' lad been a lot of talk about some of the outside clubs securing grounds. The St Albans Club had entered into negotiations with the City ■Co-urcil for a ground, it was f+" i rd cost only £2OO a year. ■ That club last

year lied b.en £JB on ti.e v\ .•. n_, i ue of the ledger, and this year £36. The reason was that those persons wlo-lad f remised to support district cricket ad not done so. St Albans was going back every year. The secretary said that St Albans •lad gone back because its chief members were opposed to district cricket. On that account they would not assist "tie club.. '

Mr Lawrence said that the secretary

1 could name only one or two such members. ' , j The secretary said that everybody had failed to show wherein district cricket was not a success. He thought that it had been a great success, did not expect a club to get a ground in two years. After all, they had .to come down to figures, and it appeared that thirty-four teams had engaged in district cricket, as against twentyseven in club cricket. Mr Lawrence replied that on every Saturday since the adoption of the district scheme, teams had played under their full strength, and there were a- groat; many defaulting teams. Two teams also had fallen out. In any case, the old clubs could have supplied as nianv teams, but were prevented, because"there w ; ere no grounds to play on. However, grounds had been found for the district teams.

Mr Vincent said that the greatest argument against district cricket was the poorness of the attendances at practice. Last season the district BCJieme had received a great set-back from which it would not recover; but ho thought that it (should be given another year's trial. The argument that it brought out a number of young players was fallacious. St Albans had not succeeded because it had absolutely no bowlers. 'Mr Caygill said that he would be quite willing to trust- to a plebiscite ot the players. A large majority was quite satisfied with district cricket, and those who complained now had done so from the start. Tho committee could do nothing in regard to reverting to the. old system unless instructed by the clubs, but it could obtain the opinion of the players, which would go a long way towards . settling the matter. He moved--" That a vote be taken of the active members of district clubs as on March 31, 1907, on the following issues: —(1) I vote for district cricket; (2) I vote against district cricket. The poll to he closed not later than August 24. The motion was seconded by Mr Young, who said that when ho introduced the subject of district cricket the wame was languishing, and there were practically only three clubs good enough to take part in Senior fixtures.. The interest was provided only by a tew Mv Vincent said that there were many who might be against district cricket, but who favoured a longer trial. 'Ho therefore moved, as an amendment, that the issues should be altered to read:—" (1) I vote that district cricket be given a further season's trial; (2) I vote that district cricket be not given a further season's trial. The amendment was seconded by Mr Orchard and carried. Messrs- Lawrence and Caygill were appointed scrutineers, to initial all voting-papers before issue, and the secretary was appointed, return-mg-offioer. , , v Some discussion took place regarding the efforts of the St Albans Club to obtain a ground of its own. Jt was stated that the club would probably make a forward move soon, and would then approach the City Council and the Association for laseistSeveral delegates said that they would be ready to assist the club if it applied.