CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18653, 7 September 1922, Page 4

CRICKET.

ENGLISH CRICKETERS’ TOUR. FINANCING NEW ZEALAND VISIT. EXPLANATION BY THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 6. Mr J. S. Barrett, chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council, when asked if he had any comment to make regarding- correspondence which has passed between the council and the Wellington Cricket Association respecting the financial arrangements for the tour of Maclaren’s team, made the following statement:—The Management Committee has on more than one occasion gone carefully into the proposals of the Wellington Association, comparing them with those adopted by the general meeting of the council (neld October 28, 1921) in regard to the finances of the M.C.C. team under. Maclarcn. The resolution embodying the council’s proposals was unanimously arrived at. The management, has not been hasty in this matter, and its considered and deliberate opinion is that the proposals of the general meeting are the better froiji the point of view of the best interests of cricket throughout the dominion. The aim of the council, as it was expressed by Mr Heathcote Williams at the general meeting, is to accumulate sufficient funds to send a team of young New Zealand players to England in 1925. If this object is to bo attained it is obvious that local considerations must stand aside. The terms offered by the council to local associations are better than those given by the New Zealand Rugby Union in similar circumstances. The New Zealand Rugby Union is capably administered byWellington enthusiasts, and no local union has cavilled ,at its policy of financing tours of visiting teams. For Instancy, the Springboks’ tour did not bring one penny to the coffers of any of the local unions. The Cricket Council’s scheme is identical with that of the Now Zealand Rugby Union, with the exception that local cricket associations will receive 10 per cent, of the net profits. The Management Committee has quite settled the basis upon which the tour of the M.C.C. team will be financed, and when the Wellington Association realises that the matter does not admit of further discussion, I am sure they will acquiesce with the polig/of the council and that the Management Committee will have no supporters more loyal. OTAGO CRICKET ASOCIATION. A meeting of the Otago Cricket Association was held in Mr E. S. Wilson’s board room last evening, Mr Crosby Morris presiding over a good attendance of delegates. The secretary reported that a credit balance of £SO would probably bo the result of the dance recital which was arranged by Miss Netla Koates in aid of the funds of the association. —It was decided to forward a letter of thanks to Miss Keates. A draft of the annual report was considered and approved. The date of the annual meeting was fixed for September 26. Regarding the visit of the English team daring the coming season it was decided to wx'ito to the New Zealand Cricket Council asking for full particulars as to the financial arrangements made in respect to the matches to bo played in each centre. When the balance sheet was under consideration it was mentioned by the president that during the past year an Otago team had been sent on tour, the expenses of a coach had been mot, and yet the association had been able to reduce its debit balance. That , was a very satisfactory position- t Mr Martin said the financial position of the association still needed strengthening. They should all endeavour to obtain as many honorarv members as possible, especially as they could lie offered many advantages during (he coming season. Some discussion took place on the question of capitation fees, and Mr Marlin gave notice to move at the annual meeting that ; the present foe of Is be raised to 2s 6d.