CRICKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22225, 27 September 1935, Page 9

CRICKET

GAME IN AUCKLAND

FALLING OFF IN RECEIPTS TOUR OF ENGLISH TEAM ' "Although the balance-sheet does not disclose anything to rejoice about, there is no cause for alarm," said Mr. F. Earl, K.C., president, in commenting on the report and balance-sheet presented at the annual meeting of delegates to the Auckland Cricket Association last evening. Although the liabilities had been increased considerably, ho was of the opinion that a great amount of the present deficit would? be wiped, off during the coming season. Economy measures had been thoroughly fnvesti-.' gated by the management committee,, some of which were already in force,, antj the outlook was much more hopeful.

The fnct that gat© receipts had fallen considerably during tho last few seasons was commented upon by Mr. Earl, who said that tho position was one for which a parallel could be found throughout the Empire, especially in England. The sporting public now demanded that its sport should be highly apiced. The' public had »n obsession at present, for speed and thrills, to which a game of such a highly scientific nature as cricket did not lend itself. Nevertheless, the game was as good now as it had ever been. If the association continued to keep its public cricket-tninded there were prospects of a distinct improvement.

Redpath Oup Mr. Earl said that the coming season would be an attractive one. Eour big. matches would be played in Auckland, including two against tho M.C.C. touring team and two Plunkef Shield fixtures. He' r congratulated the Auckland team on its per- 1 fiprmances in the Plunket Shield competi-i tion and said it was no reflection on tho standard of Auckland's cricket that it had lost the shield owing to its defeat by Can- . terbury. An outstanding feature of the season was the success of P! E. Whitelaw in being awarded the Redpath Cup by the. New Zealand Cricket Council. 'Reference was made to the visit of the English women's team, and it was Mr. Earl's opinion that there was a bright future fori women's cricket in the Dominion. The report and balance-sheet, a summary of which was published in the Herald last Wednesday, were adopted. • Several notices of motion with regard to alterations of the rules, representing re-„ commendations brought forward by tiie management committee, were passed. One important alteration affected the length of time a team may bat on the first day of 1 a two days' inafch. The previous r unstated that a team could not bat beyond; the first day of a match providing play on that day had extended for three and three-quarter hours. In view of the fact that the matches were now started half an hour i earlier than when the rule was first made, j; it was agreed tc extend the batting time to four and a-quarter hourß. The question of the excessive number of transfeis dealt with each season was discussed as the result of another notice of-, motion. It was decided to impose a charge; of 2s 6d for each application for a transfer, it being felt that this would in some measure deter players from changing their allegiance from one club to another.

Oup for Fielding Mr. W. R. Fee, chairman of the association, mentioned that the rules governing the award of the Grosvenor Cup for the best senior fielding team were under revi- - 3ion with a view to making the competition j more interesting. In future, a would go with this trophy to be held* permanently by the captain of the winning team. It had been decided to allow the clubs to- know how they were progressing from month to month. A special committee of threo would see each of the senior teams in action once a month, and points would be awarded on punctuality, smart appearance, captaincy, positional play, ground fielding, catching and returning to the wickets.

The trophies won during the season were presented by the president. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr. W. 'R. Fee, members of the management committee and the 'Umpires' Association, for loyal services rendered during the season. Mies ,M. Hutton Whitelaw, representing the Auckland Ladies' Cricket Association, expressed appreciation of the assistance given to her association in the matter of coaching, and also with regard to the control of th*» matches played against the Eng lish women's team. The following officers were' elected:— Patron. Sir James Coates; president, Mr. F. Earl. K.C.: vice-presidents, same as last year; management committee. Messrs. W.. R. Fee. E. E. Nalder. N. C. Snedden. "W G. Miller. F. W. Byerly, J. F'. Murray, W. J. Coates, H. Duncan. H. E. Warneford, L. B. Schnauer. C. M. Taylor. H. E. Sutherland, D. V. Moore; honorary secretary, Mr. N. H. E. Hockin; "honorary auditor, Mr. D. R. Garrard; honorary treasurer Mr. J. H. Watts. ,