GRANGE CRICKET CLUB.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10901, 7 September 1897, Page 4

GRANGE CRICKET CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Grange Cricket Club was held at the Annandale Arms last night. Mr A. C. Hanlon, president, occupied the chair, and there was a large attend&ncs. The annual report which was presented to the meeting stated that the committee congratulated the members on the steady progress made by the club. Tha termination of the season saw the First Eleven renners-up for tha Senior Challenge Cup—the loweßt they had been on the list for nine seasons—only suffering defeat at the hands of their noted rivals, Carisbrook A, who fairly won the coveted position of premiers. Oat of nine matches played by the club's First Eleven six were won and two lost, one being drawn. Too much praise could nob be given to the club's premier batsmen Baker and Johnston for their excellent performance in the match against Canterbury. J. Baker for the third successive year occupied the proud position of premier batsman of the j club, having secured the splendid average of j 34 3 for 11 inniDgs. Biker was closely fol- i lowed D 7 G-. Rsstieaux with an averago of 33-5 for six innings. -A. Downes secured the j bowling average for the fifth successive! yoar, with au average of 5 85*. The Second Eleven did not fare so well as in the past, owing to-tho want of. enthusiasm on tha part \ of some of their team. Oat of 12 matches | played by them seven were won and five lost, j The batting average was won by A. Robinson— i a new member. The Third Eleven played 17 Matches. Or this number nine - were won, two lost, and two drawn. G. Crosbie again obtained the highest bowling average, while M. Faheywon tho prize for batting. In the various representative matches played during the season, Messrs Baker, Downed, Johnston, Parker, and Haydon gained places, and ably upheld tha honour of Che club; while Baker formed ona of the New Zealand team in the intercolonial matches. The balanca sheet showed that the club had a credit balance of £4- 3s. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr J. Dowses, the report and balance sheet were adopted. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year :—President, Mr A. C. Honlon (re-elected) ; vice-presidents—Messrs C. Bills, J. Cummings, A. Owen, J. M'Don&ld, J. M'Leod. W. B. Smith, G. Stirling, J. C/Short. and-S. Wyim; captain, Mr W. Parker ; depiitjcaptain, Mr J. Baker ; secretary and treasurer, Mr G. Restieaux (re-elected) ; general committee—Messrs W. Parker, J. Baker, J. Lawlor, A. Downes, P. Williams, and tha secretary ex offlcio ; match committee—Messrs Baker, Parker, and A. Downes (re-elected) ; delegates to Otago Cricket Aassociation, Messrs J. Baker G. Restieanx (re-elected). Saturday, the 2nd of October, was fired as ths opening day of the season. Nine new members -were elected. It was resolved to accept the offer of the Ohio Minstrels to provide aa entertainment for the benefit; of tha club. .

The secretary was recommended to exercise caution-to prevent defaulters on the books of the Amateur Athletic Protection Association from playing iv matches tor the club. The Chaisjian said he noticed that no mention was made in the report, of tha lameuted death of the late president of the Otago Cricket Association, Mr Wilson. That gentleman had always taken a great interest in cricket, and ife was -a great loss to the asaoci-tioa and to cricket generally, that ha should h&ve died so prematurely. He thought it only rigat that the club should make some mention of. the faot that they lamented the death of Mr Wilson. There was ooe other mutter to which he wishftd to refer. The two bats which he offered for competition in the club last season had, he understood, beeu won by Messrs Baker and Robinson, and all credit was due to them for their success. In ordar that there might be something for merabsrs to compete for again this season, he proposed to offsr another bat for the seniors and one for the juniors, to be competed for on the same terms as the bats were cctapeted for last year.—(Applause.) The meeting terminated'with a vote of thanks to the chairman.