CRICKET ASSOCIATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 24 September 1934, Page 9

CRICKET ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual general meeting of the Cricket Association was marked by a display of much enthusiasm and interest in the progress of the game throughout the district. Mr H. H. Smith presided over a large attendance of delegates, the only club not represented being Upper Moutere. The delegates from the latter club had set out for the meeting but did not arrive on account of a breakdown. Tiie routine business concluded, Mr If. Suckling, the secretary, read the report and balance sheet, which disclosed the happy position of a credit of £6, the largest credit shown for some years. Mr Wratt commended the secretary for his work and statement of the Association’s position. The Ngatimoti Club’s request for information on various administrative questions was held over until tlie first meeting of the executive. The question of the honorarium to be paid the secretary provoked much discussion, it being finally resolved that the secretary be paid 30s for his services for the half year, and that the matter of the honorarium to be paid annually be decided upon at each annual meeting of delegates. The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr H. H. Smith (reelected) ; vice-presidents, two nominees by each club; secretary and treasurer, Mr H. Suckling (re-elected); emergency committee, the president, secretary and Mr Cousins; executive committee, one delegate nominated by each club; lion, auditor, Mr E. S. Wratt (re-elected). It was decided to open the championship games on Gth October, the executive to meet on Friday next, 28th September. Considerable discussion followed upon tlie conduct of the competition

during the season, opposition being expressed by country delegates to the unsatisfactory drawing and notification of fixtures during the past season. Finally it was decided to play the junior competition in wards, as was done in the previous season. Messrs J. Clark and O. H. Holyoake were appointed the fixture committee. Mention was made of the possibility of a further senior team in the competition, the Ngatimoti Club suggesting this matter. , The Riwaka Club delegates made mention of a third class competition. The inauguration of this competition ■ was discussed freely and was com- ! mended by the delegates. Mr Smith asked club delegates to secure information from their clubs to submit to tlie first meeting of the executive. Minor discussion followed until the meeting closed. Following is the annual report: “It is with pleasure that your executive submits this report for the past season, in that a decided upward trend in cricket was shown during the season, not only in the game but also and more so on the administrative side. “Meetings: These were well attended and compared more than favourably with those of past seasons. Delegates, too, evinced considerable interest and this assisted greatly in the uplift of matters pertaining to cricket. "Finance: Tlie balance of some sis pounds sterling is an increase on previous years, and, considering the heavy expenditure, which should not recur, the position is favourable and indeed a credit to your administrating officers. It also is a tangible mark of increased interest in the affairs of the Association. “Cricket Competitions: The accompanying table gives the results of the Various competitions; and congratulations are extended to the Riwaka Club in the senior competition and in the De Lacy Shield competition. To the Brooklyn B team in the junior competition congratulations are also extended. “Representative games: The Association is to be heartened by the improved showing of its representative teams in matches both of senior and junior standard. In the inter-Associ-ation competitions for the Newman Shield and the ‘K’ Cup your teams acquitted themselves creditably,! and, while yet not successful, there' is much hope for still more successful results. “Grounds: Playing areas throughout showed considerable improvement and especially was this reflected in the cricket. That clubs and the Association will definitely benefit is apparent and your Association hopes to note a continuance in this phase. “The Association desires to thank all officers, who gave of their services in I the interests of- the game, the press land the playing members. With suelr goodwill prevailing the advance of the Association’s interests is assured. “For the forthcoming season your Association should receive benefits from the work of the previous season; and, in the promotion and success of the younger players, your Association is extremely gratified. That this may continue is the hope of your retiring committee and that the approaching season may bring about as much success as the recent one. “Your Association is extremely grateful to the umpires for their service to the game.”