ATHLETIC CRICKET CLUB.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 222, 19 September 1896, Page 2

ATHLETIC CRICKET CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Athletic Cricket Club was held last evening, Mr P. Topliss, one of the Vice-Presidents, in the chair. The Secretary (Mr A, Clayden) read the report and balance sheet, the latter allowing a balance of £1 cash in band agaiust which thera were some outstanding liabilities The assets, however, reduced the deliciency to about 149. The annual report stated that the Club's lust season had not been such a successful one in the fiell. Nine matches were played, four being won, four lust, and ana drawn. Tlio match against the West Coast team fell through in consequeuce of bad weather. The pbsition of the Club in Championship contests was not what ib should have been, but better results were expected in the appronohing season In the batting average the highest were H. Bolton with an average of 13 runs for 0 innings; VV. Simpson, 121 for 11 innings; and A. W. Clayden, lO'l2 for 9 innings. In the bowling averages H. Curtis headed the list with 16 wickets at an average of 756 runs; D. L. Luxford next, with 25 wickets at 7-88 runs ; A. Whitehorn third, with 27 wickets at 8-22 runs. The averages of the juniors woie not kept. The Chairman said the Club had been Bomewhut handicapped by the loss of some of its best players. He was pleased to hoar of a largo accession of new mood this soason, and hoped that this would lead to greater successes in tho field. Ho hopod also they would be able to' further improve tho crickot ground and the practice pitches. Ho looked forward to a successful soason, and only hoped that the club would have a good record ut tho end of the season. Mr W. N Poole moved the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet.' Carried. Tho election of officers resulted as follows : President, Mr S. Kirkpatrick ; VicePresidents, Messrs P. Topliss, J. B. Sadd, A. Robinson, J. A. Conuell, and H. Moyos; Secretary for Junior eleven, Mr W. Bumbold ; Delegates to tho Cricket Association, Messrs W. N. Poolo and A. Clayden. Mr Kirkpatriok, the newly-eleoted President, said he would give a bat for the host fieldsman. Not enough attention was paid to fielding praotice, and men iv the long field frequently misjudged their catches— waiting for the ball to drop without running to get under it, Mr J. B. Sadd ooncurred with what Mr Kirkpatriok had said. He had seen miserable fielding in 6ome matohes. He offered a trophy for the best bowling average. Mr W. N. Poolo was re-elected Captain amidst "applause. _ _ ■ •" In acknowledging his re-eleotion he said none more than he had felt the truth of the complaints of bad fielding. However, he meant to go in and v/\n Mr Kirkpatrick's trophy. • i

Mr A. W. Claydefl was re-elected Secretary, and Mr H S. Curtis auditor. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Claydon for his energetic and efficient services. Mr Clayden, in thanking the Club for the honour, expressed a hope that he would have more assistance from numbers than he had had in the past. The following were elected a Committee: Messrs H. Sigley, A. W. Shallcrass, D. L. Luxford, N. Levien, and W. Bray, with the officers ex officio. Senior Selection Committee: Messrs Poole, Clayden, and Luxford. The appointment of a Junior Selection Committee was left in the hands of the General Committee. Mr Topliss Baid he would give a trophy to the highest aggregate batsman. Mr S, Bolton gave a trophy for the best batting average in the junior nod Mr W. N. Poole a trophy {or the best bowling. Mr S. Robinson gave a trophy for the highest individual score in Senior Cap matoheß. The following new members were elected : Messrs A. Q. Belts, L. and H. Sigley, L De Vere, W. Chtsholm, H. Finney, G. Wimsett, E. Mackay, Sparks, N. Levien and W. Bumbold. It was decided that the practice wioket be opened on Saturday, the 26th inst., provided the Committee think the ground woold be ready. It was resolved that the Club enter for both Senior and Junior Championships. Messrs Topliss, Sadd, and the Captain were appointed a Committee to award the fielding trophy at the end ol the season. Upon a question being raised whether the trophy was for the senior or junior, Mr Kirkpatrick met the difficulty by saying he would offer a bat for each eleven. His generosity was heartily applauded. Mr Clayden was appointed to act as practice captain when Mr Poole is not on the ground. The meeting olosed with a vote ol thanks to the Chairman and to the press.