WELLINGTON CRICKETERS’ ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6687, 22 September 1882, Page 3

WELLINGTON CRICKETERS’ ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Wellington Cricketers’ Association was held at the Pier Hotel last night, Mr Marobant in the chair. There was a large attendance of members. The following annual report of the Committee for the season 1881-82 was read and adopted : —“ln presenting their annual report, the Committee regret that, owing principally to the want of a ground within easy distance from town, the cricket of last reason was generally of an uneventful character. Three first-class matches were played under the auspices of the Association. The first was played in Nelson, against a team representing that province, and resulted in our defeat by nine wickets. The second was between a representative twenty-two and Shaw’s English Eleven. As might have been expected, the result of this match was also against Wellington, for although the match ended in a drawn game, the draw was so much in favor of our opponents as to amount practically to a decided defeat. In our third essay the position was reversed, and the West Coast team were defeated by 65 runs. In addition to the above there was a single-wicket match played at Nelson on the conclusion of the first match, which may just be mentioned, Inasmuch as it resulted in a victory for Wellington by six runs, and two wickets had still to fall. The best batting average in As<ooiation matches was obtained by Mr Knapp, with an average of 11T per innings ; and the best bowling average by Mr Hickson, with 4T runs per wi ket. Although the cricket generally was doubtless somewhat uninteresting to outsiders, the Committee are still of opinion that some useful lessons were learned by our local men, particularly by the opportunity of watching the fine pl iy of their English opponents. Turning to the coming season, the Committee are glad to announce that there are better prospects for cricket than there have perhaps ever been in Wellington at any previous date. The enlargement of the cricketing portion of the Busin .Reserve has given space for the preparation of two match-pitches, with ample room for two matches to be carried on aimultsneoualy. The Committee took the question of preparing the ground into early consideration, and came to the decision t > levy a subscription of ten shillings upon each member of all the Clubs in Wellington, The call was , very satisfactorily responded to, and the work put in ' hand at once, It affords the Committee much pleasure to express their opinion that Wellington will shortly possess a ground which will bear favorable comparison with that of any of the chief towns of the colony. In additi n to the two matchpitches on the Basin Reserve, the Committee have in contemplation the preparation of one pitch on the Newtown ground, thus allowing three matches to be played every Saturday. Special attention is also being given to the preparation of the practice wickets, which will be In mnch better condition than on any previous season. The Committee have had an interview with the trustees of the Basin Reserve respecting the use of the ground and the grand stand for the season. Their reception was very satisfactory, and they are expecting an answer from •the trustees in a few days. They have every ■reason to believe that their proposals as to control of the ground and other matters will be agreed to by the trustees. The Committee confidently expect that under these favorable circumstances Wellington cricket will rapidly improve, and are not without hope that Wellington will soon be able to meet any other team in the colony on equal teams. At the close of last season a proposition for the engagement of a professional cricketer was taken into consideration, but although energetically supported by some members of the Committee, it ultimately fell through from want of ■ adequate support. The Committee hope that before long the question will be revived and seriously entertained, believ ng that the engagemeat of a professional would be of immense advantage to cricket in general, and more especially to the younger members of onr clubs. The Committee are happy to announce that some cricket of an interesting character may bo expected during the coming season. Negotiations are already in progress for securing a visit from the Hon. Ivo Bligh’s English team, and an -eleven from Auckland are proposing to play .at Wellington dnring the season. There is also some probability of an Australian Eleven •visiting this colony. The Committee would, ■therefore, impress upon all players the necessity for careful and systematic practice, as it is only by this course that they can hope to offer a fair -resistance to the superior skill of our expected visitors. The unsatisfactory financial results of past seasons led the Committee to the -opinion that a radical alteration in the constitution of the Association was alsolutely necessary. They have, therefore, taken considerable trouble to compile a new set of tubs, which are now commended to the consideration of the Association. The Committee desire to express their thanks to the Sub-Com-mittee appointed to deal with this matter for the time and attention given to it. The Committee believe that the adoption of the.-e rules will .place the financial and geueral affairs of the Association on a far nwre satisfactory footing than they have hitherto held, and that a balance on the wrong side will be a feature entirely unknown in future balance-sheets. In conclusion, the Committee desire strongly to urge upon all cricketers the necessity of working heartily together for the benefit of cricket as a whole, believing that by so doing, and with the help of the advantages alluded to above, Wellington may soon hold a position in the cricket world second to none in the colony.” The balance-sheet showed that the receipts bad been £133 16s 6J, the expenditure amounting to a similar sum. The assets consisted of subscriptions due, £8 is, and the liabilities amounted to £ls ss.

It was reported that a subscription had been put in hand.to raue funds for the preparation of the gronnd for the coming season, resulting in about £25 being paid in to date, and promises being made for as much more.

The Chairman said he considered the report and balance-sheet most satisfactory, and congratulated the Association on its present position. A number of new rules were adopted and ordered to be printed, and the following officers were .elected for tbe year :—Patron, Colonel Pearce ; President, Mr W. H. Levin, M.H.R.; Vice-Presidents, Mr G. K. Johnston and the Mayor ; Secretary, Mr Kennedy ; Hon. Treasurer, Mr Page ; Committee, Messrs E. Dixon, J. J. M. Hamilton, J. Allen, A. K. Newman, and S. Alpe.