CRICKET

Northern Advocate, 15 September 1934, Page 13

CRICKET

WHANGARE! ASSOCIATION THE ANNUAL MEETING. KEEN SPIRIT APPARENT. The rekindled interest in cricket was demonstrated at the annual meeting of the Whangarei Association, which was attended by over thirty delegates and supporters last night. Mr G. H. Hedditch presided. The committee reported upon a very successful season. Special reference was made to the formation of an Umpires’ Association, which had filled an important want in the district, and credit for this was ascribed principally to Messrs Hedditch and Lawrence. Improvements to the pavilion at the Reclamation Ground were to be carried out. There had been a definite improvement in the standard of cricket, and with the presence of the New Zealand representative, G. L. Weir, further progress could be anticipated. Perhaps the most encouraging part of the previous season’s activities was the largo number of picnic or social games played, which were contested in the spirit of enthusiasm, rivalry and good fellowship, which made cricket what it was on the village green of old England. The balance sheet showed that the year had commenced with a credit of £2 10/-. which had been increased to £l2 1/11. The total receipts were £72 13/6. Official Personnel. The election of officers resulted: — Patron, Mr A. J. Murdoch, M.P. (reelected); president, Mr G. H. Hedditch (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs G. W. Bennett, H. W. Crawford, H. E. Hewlett and L. W. Nelson; secretary, Mr H. L. Lawrence; treasurer, Mr G. H. Grant (re-elected); auditor, Mr A. R. Menzies (re-elected); grounds committee, Messrs G. H. Hedditch, S. McKenzie, and C. Mcßeath, with power to add; selector, Mr C. Mcßeath (re-elected); delegates to North Auckland Cricket Association, Messrs L. G. Miller and H. L. Lawrence. School Cricket. A regrettable lack of interest on the part of the schools last season, was commented upon by the president. The association, he said, provided the organisation, but the competitions had practically dropped through. The services of a first-class coach in the person of Mr G. L. Weir, were available, and two business people had donated a bat for the boy topping the batting averages. Mr Hedditch understood that the masters were forming an association to control games for the primary and secondary schools.

Mr R. Noel Johnson thanked the , association for what it had done to fur- ; ther the game in the primary schools ; It was incorrect, however, to say that the competition, so far as town primary schools was concerned, had not been |' both keen and enjoyable. In fact, he had not before seen such an enthusiasm for the game anywhere. Mr W. Hallett supplemented these remarks. The town children were enthusiastic. and most enthusiastic, and the B schools -competition had been most successful. Turf Wickets. With inference to turf wickets, Mr Hedditch said that the result of the High School experiment was being awaited. Should this prove successful it would be feasible to use local clays in providing grass wickets at the Reclamation for next season. Material. A recommendation that the association purchase material for use in rep. matches was carried. The purchase of a net for week-night practice was also advocated, the town clubs to make a contribution. Art Unions and Socials. A suggestion by Mr 11. L. Lawrence that the association should apply for permission to hold a small art union met with general approval, and Mr A, L. Tresidder discussed the possibilities of arranging a series of card evenings. “We can raffle a pair of ducks every match, we play,” said Mr Tresidder. “but we must not lose sight of our drive." Tribute to Secretary, j Appreciative reference was made to j the able manner in which Mr L. G, i Miller had carried out the duties of secretary for the past four years. His acceptance of a small honorarium was asked. Gymkhana Dates. The appeal made by the A. and P. Society that, as far as possible, sporting bodies should not arrange counter attractions on the day of the Gymkhana, was considered. It was decided to carry on with the usual programme of Saturday games, but not to arrange association fixtures for the Monday. Inter-House Cricket. Mr Hedditch gave an assurance that | everything possible would be done to j encourage after-work, inter-house cric-1 kct. Punctual Starting. The president impressed upon dele- j gates the necessity for punctual start-1 ing. This season the association had arranged for mats to be put down, and the grounds marked out ready for a start at 2 p.m. No latitude would be 1 allowed in enforcing the late start j rule, and unless a legitimate excuse was given by the offending side it would lose the game by default. Mr E. L. Whimp asked how the rules were to be enforced when there was only one copy of them in existence. Mr Hedditch said that the printing of rule books wos under contemplation. A successful meeting terminated with votes of thanks to press and chair. ITIKURANCT CI,UP,. ANNUAL MEETING HELD. There was an attendance of 1-1 mem- ) bora at the annual meeting of the liikurangi Cricket Club, presided over by Mr J. Teesdale. ‘The annual report presented to the meeting slated'that the financial position of llie dub bad not been as good as it might have been, but on the field of play the season had been most successful. It was hoped that tins season the finances would be improved. The club was runner-up in the WildingWhimp Shield competition and third in the championship series.

The following officers were elected for the new season:—Patron, Mr J. Wood; president, Mr J. Teesdale; vicepresidents, Messrs F. Little, Lomas, Stark and Scott; secretary, Mr L. Ball; delegates to Cricket Association, Messrs M. Bay and L. Ball; management committee, Messrs R. Hall, A. Crozier, J. Hamilton, M. Bay, Snowden and the president and secretary: club captain, Mr J. Hamilton; selection committee, Messrs Teesdale. Hamilton and Hall.

The president, in his report, stressed the neSd for members to become financial as early as possible in the season, and he appealed to players to meet the club in this respect. There is a prospect of the club entering a B. grade team if the association arranges such a competition.

Congratulations were extended to Mr Bay on his inclusion in the New Zealand representative hockey team.