AUCKLAND CRICKET CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 3998, 4 September 1874, Page 3

AUCKLAND CRICKET CLUB.

The annual meeting of the members of this Club was held last evening at the Thames Hotel, —Mr. James Russell in the chair.— Mr. Cotton, secretary, read the minutes of the last general meeting, which were confirmed.—The Chairman said the members were conversant with what had been done by the committee. A cricket ground was being laid out at Ellerslie, under the auspices of the Racing Club, assisted by certain members of tiie Cricket Club. Fifteen members of the Cricket Club had become responsible for £5 each towards raising £100, which was required by the Racing Club before anything could be done. At the same time the Cricket Club was greatly indebted to the Jockey Club, for they were going to an expense of about £300 in laying off and preparing a suitable cricket ground. He hoped to have a ground next season second to none in the Australian colonies. Having the ground, he felt confident there would be some excellent play on it during the ensuing season. He thought that the efforts that were made to secure these advantages for cricket would gain for them the support of the public and the friends of the game. (Hear, hear,) — Mr. Davies read the year's balance-sheet and statement of accounts, as follows : Receipts and subscriptions amounted to £109 14s Gd; sale of cricket material, £1 ISs : total, £111 10s Gd. Expenditure: For cricket material, £29 10s ; box for ditto, £2 9s Gd; labour (preparing ground), £S 17s Gd ; matting for grand stand, £S 17s Gd; refreshments at match, £11 2s 4d; band, £2 9s Gd; conveyances and railway tickets, £2 12s 3d ; printing aud advertising, £S 14s ; books, stationery, stamps, &c., £3 ss; contributions towards openin" day, . £10 ; refreshments, £4 2s; expenses towards match with representatives, £5 10s; advance to Racing Club on account of (ground, £14; balance at bank, £G 3s; in hand, £2 2s: total, £111 10s Gd.— A discussion ensued as to the desirability of maintaining the subscription at two guineas. It appeared that some members had not paid the full amount.—The Chairman said a special meeting must be held to alter tlie rule. He agreed with those who thought that two guineas excluded a great number of men who were fond of the game. He also thought that those who had not paid up should be asked for their subscription. He

hoped that the meeting would authorise the incoming committee to reimburse those members who had become guarantee and paid the money required by the Racing Club. It was only due to them that this should be done.—The accounts were duly audited and passed. THANKS TO THE SECRETARY. A vote of thanks, upon the motion of Mr. Davies, was unanimously passed to Mr. Cotton, for his services in this capacity for the past year. TREASURER. A vote of thanks was also unanimously passed to Mr. Davies, the treasurer, for the past year. NEW OFFICE BEARERS. The gentlemen filling the following offices were re-elected : Patron, Sir James Fergusson ; President, Sir G. A. Arney ; VicePresidents, Messrs. Fenton and Watt. TREASURER. Mr. R. Browning was elected treasurer, and Mr. Cotton secretary for the ensuing i year. COMMITTEE. The following gentlemen were elected the committee for the ensuing year: Messrs. Ryan, Rice, Russell, Bennett, Coates, and Philson. PRESENTATION I'.ATS. Mr. Davies moved, '' That with a view to encourage increased practice, a better attendance at matches, and correct scores being kept during the ensuing season, it is desirable that presentation bats be offered to members, and that the committee be requested to procure bats for presentation at the end of the season, as follows : 1. For th<; best average batting in not less than four matches. "2. For the greatest number of runs made in club matches during the season. 3. For any member making the highest J score during the season. 4. For the two best bowlers in the club during the season, according to the judgment of the committee. " The resolution was duly seconded and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks was passed to the ehairmau, and the proceedings terminated.