CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12767, 14 September 1903, Page 7

CRICKET.

DUMDIN CRICKET CLUB. Tho eleventh annual meeting of tho Dunedin Cricket Oltib was held at tho Caledonian Hotol, Walker 'street, on Saturday evening, and was largely attended, about SO members being present. Mr T. . Graham (president), who occupied tho chair, exprosrad pleasure at onco more meeting the members at the annual meeting, and at being able to congratulate, tho club upon the good work achieved in the cricket field during tho past soason, work that he was suro would °bo surpassed in the season they were about to enter upon. They bad 110 doubt all perused the report, which contamed a good deal of interesting matter. Ho would like to refer to the visit of Lord Hawko's team during the past season. It was impossible to have soen tho play of that toivm without being benefited and picking Up. occasional wrinkles, and it was a great pity thoy could not get a team like that out overy two or three years. It would increase the love of cricket, and would he of infinite benefit to clubs, The team appeared to be a first-class one, especially in fielding, and, as regarded their. bowling and batting, somo of the best men in tho Old Country wore included in tho team. The club Ittid during tho past year, lie was eorry to say, lost one of its best members in Mr J. Doiamore, and members would readily sympathise with the relatives in their affliction. The coming season would be entered upon with a great deal of zest, and if thoy did no better than they did in winning the excellent' game against the Grange, they would do very well. Tho only othor thing thero was for him to touch upon was their carnival, which, with thoir sister club, the Albion, they wore anxious to mako a liugo success. No doubt tho tickets would find l a ready sale, but ho would ask thorn. to influence tho lady membars of their domestic circles not only to help, but to urge those outside to -take an interest in tho movement. Tho ladies were, in many instances, doing thoir utmost to further the success of the carnival, and it behoved tho gentlemen to do tho same. Ho should mention tho clauses in tho report having reference to the matches, and read a largo portion of the rep6rt dealing with them, and the averages attained by various batsmen and bowlers. Before moving tho adoption of the voport • (previously published) and balance sheet he would like to congratulate Their worthy captain (Mr Skitch) on having acquired suoh splendid quarters as they were meeting in. Mr J. Croxford seconded tho motion for the adoption of the''report and balance shoet, and said fielding was one tiling the committee would have to take into account very seriously this year. Every eleven of the club would have to practise this department of the game. When they eaino to the end of the season thoy found that lost matclics were accounted for by bad fielding. They should got the mon out two nights a week and give them practice at fiolding. As thoy knew, many an' Australian cloven had pulled a match out of the fire bv their splondid fielding. Tho Chairman mentioned that the balance sheet was pretty well in tl* position of Paddy with bin banking account when lie eaid lie had nothing to his credit and had no power to overdraw. Tho income had ten £115 12s lOd, and tho expenditure £115 2s 4d, leaving 10s 6d in hand. Tho Secretary (Mr Wilson, replying to a question, said there was £12 outstanding for subscriptions. Tho motion as then carried. Mr J. Melville moved that ru!o 2 be amended so that three of tho six members of committee retire by rotation, the three retiring being eligible for re-o!ection, but tho motion was lost. 011 tho voices. Mr Maolean moved] that the rules be altcrod so that the number of vice-presidents bo limited to three, but thio was also lost, Mr C. Eyre moved, and it was carried, that for the future a copy of the balance sheet, duly audited, together with the annual report, bo sent to each member of tho club eeven days before tho animal meeting. Tho Chairman then presented to Mr B. Cramond the cup for tho best batting average, which that player is entitled to hold for tho year. / Tho following office-bearers were oleeted: President, Mr T. S. Graham; vice-presi-dents—Mossre H. B. Courtis, J. Watt, W. Maclean, A. Coivio, G. Prain, J. Blaney, J. Ainge, Dr Evans, and Mr Murray; captain. Mr W. H. Skitch; deputy-captain, Mr G. Reardon; secretary and treasurer, Mr E. S. Wilson (whose ability was spoken very highly of); General Committee—Messrs J. Moore,.J. Brumm, W. Mackersy, J. Melville, P. Blakcly, and A. Maolean; Selection Committee—Messrs W.' Latham, W. Mackersy, and J. Moore; delegates to tho Otago Cricket Association, Messrs W. Maclean, and W. H. Skitch; auditors, Messrs B. Cramond and A. W. I-lainann.

Mr Maclean gave notico of motion as follows:—"That it be a recommendation from this club to tho Otago Cricket Association that tho championship contests bo divided into four grades, instead of three as heretofore."

A hearty vote of thanks to tho chair closed the meeting.

OTAGO CRICKET ASSOCIATION. The following report' for the 1502-03 season will bo submitted to the Otago Cricket Association at the annual meeting, wliioh will lw held in Wain's Hotel on Saturday evening noxt

Your committee, in presenting the annual report, heartily congratulate members on the success of the past season. Tho great feature of the season was the visit of Lord Hawke's team; and though your representatives were so badly beaten, still wo feel thai the lessons learned from the Englishmen will be of great benefit to tho players, while the visit caused a great amount of interest to bo taken in our summer sport by the public, and we feel confident that such visits tend greatly to popularise the game. Notwithstanding the sovero defeat sustained, some individual performances were well worthy of record—notably the bowling of Alex. Downcs, who secured a very good avoroge in spite of consistent bad luck in the shape of frequent catches being missed off his bowling. The. association showed their appreciation ot" such a sterling performance by making a suitable present to Mr Downes. A. H. Fisher in thia match secured four wickets, though he did not bowl up to his usual form. If. G. Siedeberg, E. Howden, A. H. Fisher, G, Cummingß, and G. G. Austin, all batted fairly well for-Otago. The chances missed in the field by our men made a vast difference 1o tho scores of the Englishmen, and again emphasised the importanco of good fielding. Tho association would urge all club players, as well a3 representative men, to practise catching and ground fielding at every opportunity. The South Island match, which was under tho management of your association, was also easily won by tho Englishmen. In this match you were represented by H. G. Siodcberg, E. Howden, A. H. Fisher, and A. Downos-thc three former all shaping well with the bat, while A. Downes and A. H. Fisher secured tho bulk of the Englishmen's wickets. Messrs A. Downes and A. H. Fisher were also selected to represent New Zealand against the Englishmen, both justifying their selection. The annual fixture with Canterbury was played at Carisbrook at Christmas time, when this time-honoured fixture was womby Canterbury by seven wicket?. The best performers in this match on the Otago side with the bat were the two colts G. Cunnnings and E. Howdou, whilo A. H. Fisher bowled exceedingly well. The match against Southland was easily won'by your representatives by 177 runs. Tho various championships were, as usual, keenly contested. In the First Grade two now teams were admitted into the Championship competition—viz., Dunedin No. 2 and Port Chalmers. Tho Carisbrook A again secured the First Grade Shield, and it is pleasing to note that the Albion, who struggled so long at the bottom of the tree, are this year runnors-iip. The Second Grade Championship was won by the Hendley, while the Albion secured tho Third Class Championship. The weather throughout the season was very changeable, and in the early part of the season the bowlers held the upper hand. The association regret the loss of ! Mr D. H. Thomson, who has been transferred to Christchureh, as he was an indefatigable secretary, and carried out his arduous duties in n. most satisfactory manner. Members will see from the subjoined balance sheet that, the association lias once moro a substantial credit balance. The thanks of the association are duo to Messrs Hellyer and Boddington, who acted as your delegates to tho Now Zealand Criokct Council; to Mr C. R.' Smith for again placing his office at the. disposal of the committee foT meetings; and to the press for the publicity given to the affairs of tho association and. to the advancement of cricket generally. The action of tho Ex-High School Boys in raising funds for a coach for the school is one on which the nssvpciation heartily congratulate them, and we

trust that a. suitable man will be found for the post, and that Uio High School boys will show their appreciation of this action by practising assiduously and endeavouring in every direction to follow the instruction of their coach. Tho committee of tho association have been trying to cvolvo ii sohetuc for tho engagement of u> coach for the schools in general, but so far without snccoss. tho chief obstaclo being tho want of good playgrounds in connection with tho schools. This will always be a handicap to our boys, and it is much to bo regretted that every school has not the accommodation that will allow tho boys to develop their fiold sports. It is not only a drawback from tho athletic point of view, but it reflects itself in the general progress of tho boys, which would doubtless be greater and sounder if their outdoor sports and exercises were more keenly taken up. Tho idea of a. coach for the boys has not been dropped, but will be taken up by the incoming committeo immediately. The following are tho averages in the interprovincial matches:—

BATTING. Inns. N.O. ITS. T.P.. Aver. E. Howden .. G — ' 35 122 20.3 G. G. Austin .. C 1 G4 . 815 17.2 II. 6. Sicdoberg G — 59 01 15.8 G. Cummings .. G 1 20* 7G 15.2 H. Guntliorp ..4 1 25* 40 13.3 W. Johnston ..4 — 19 49 12.3 A. H. Fioher G — 23 57 9.5 Or. Mills .. .. C, _ ,21 51 8.5 H. Ecklioff .... 6 2 11* 23 7.G A. Downos .... 4 — 10 23 G.2 P. Willir.ms .. 5 2 8* 1G 6.2 J. Baker G — S 18 3 J. Hussey .... 2 — 3 4 2 * Signifies not out. H.S. signifies Highest Scoro; T.R., Tola! Runs. BOW(.INO. jf''Huns. Witts. Avq\ A. H. Fislior .. 515 23 228 21 10.8 H. Keltl'off ' .. 174 7 IPS 7 15 H. Guntliorp.. GO 2 32 2 1G G. G. Austin .. 132 4 G7 3 22.6 A. Down03 .. 414 12 211 i 7 34.4