OTAGO CRICKET ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18787, 14 February 1923, Page 4

OTAGO CRICKET ASSOCIATION

The ordinary meeting of tho Otago Cricket Association, hold lust night, was preside;! over by Mr Crosby Moms, and there were also present Messrs \V. A. Howland, 0. A. Martin, T. O’Shea, C. Todd, O. Wycherley, H. Minnie, and A. Rcstieaux. COMPLIMENTARY.

The Secretary reported that ihn Rugby Union hud decided to make a- rebate of 5 per cent, on their charges in connection with tho M.C.C. match. —Tho secretary was instructed to send a letter of thanks to the union.

Tho lion. tc,am manager of tho ALC.C. team wrote expressing grateful thanks for all the kindness and courtesy shown them on their recent visit to Dunedin.

Tho Hon. Secretary of the Auckland Cricket Association wrote expressing appreciation of the kind hospitality shown the Auckland team on its recent visit to Dunedin. GENERAL.

Air Alorria reported on behalf of the delegates from the ■ association to the conference held to discuss tho future of Lake Logan. The Secretary of tho Umpires' Association wrote notifying that Messrs F. Williams and W. W. Alackcrscy, with Air W. Butler aa substitute, had been appointed to act in the Wellington interprovincial match. Tho Secretary of the Grange Cricket Club wrote stating that his club was desirous of helping tiro North End Art Union, and asking tho association to give them a special match on tho North Ground this reason between Grange and the rest of Otago.—The request was referred to tho Grade Commitleo for report. Tho Secretary of tho Alornington Cricket Chib wrote appealing against the action of the Carisbrook Third Grade team in playing Air H. Lethaby against Mornington Third Grade. They understood Mr Lethaby is a registered Second Grade player of tho Albion Club.—The appeal was referred to tho Cariabronk Club for explanation.

EASTER MATCHES. Tho Secretary of tho Grange Cricket Club wrote stating that his chib would not be able to send a loam to Central Otago.— Tho Secretary of the Dunedin Club stated that his club could not send a team before Eaatcr. —Mr Todd suggested sending a team of colts at Eas‘er to play matches at Alexandra, Roxburgh, and Tapanni, but it was pointed out that Southland was sending a team to the Central at that, time.—Tho secretary was instructed io report to Otago Central that Otago could not send a team before Easter.

Tlie Hon. Secretary of the South Otago Cricket Association wrote extending an invitation to any club or team to visit South Otago for a series of matches at Easter. Ho understood Hr Martin already had the matter in hand, and that there was every prospect of a team being sent. —The matter was referred to Mr Martin to arrange a team for the proposed trip. It we 3 decided to ask tlie various clubs to forward names of any Second Grade members willing to visit Invercargill for a junior match at Easter. “ NOT CRICKET.”

A. J. Ilarctman, substitute umpire in a recent Grange Second Grade match, wrote forwarding a letter received from tiro secretary of the Grange Club, to which he took strong exception. He considered that as the Grange Club had endeavoured to intimidate an umpire into giving a decision according to its liking against ids own convictions and ignoring a definite cricket law (law -18), the association should have the matter reported to it to deal with. Law 48 states that if an umpire lias any doubt as to the fairness ot a bowler's delivery he must no-ball him. The writer had no doubt as to tho unfairness of Mr Downes’s delivery. Mr Howland s letter, enclosed, complained that Mr Hardman had called upon his fellow umpire to no-ball Mr Downes, failing which lie, himself, would do so. No doubt Mr Hardman was unaware that Mr Downes had represented the dominion and provinces with marked success, and that Ids bowling hod given satisfaction to the leading umpires of both Now Zealand and Australia. In the light of this, the insult tendered Mr Downes was al! tiro more repugnant. He demanded from Mr Hardman a withdrawal ot his utterances before February 9, failing which, tlio Grange Club would place the matter in the hands of the Otago Cricket Association. In reply to this, Mr Hardman referred iho Grange Committee "for their guidance” to law 4S of cricket. The past reputation of A, Downes, or of any oilier player, did not interest him in the least when hr, was umpiring. "Your committee," lie said, “have shown deplorable ignorance of the ethics and laws of cricket in their ridiculous letter, in which they endeavour to force an umpire to give a decision according to their wishes and against his own convictions, It there is any apology duo it is certainly from your committee to me." It was stated that Mr Downes had walked off the field ou the occasion in question. After a general discussion in which a variety of comments on iho correspondence wore offered, the matter was referred to the Umpires' Association to make inquiries and report. CITY PLAYING AREAS.

A discussion took place on the unsatisfactory / ancßitiou of most of the public sports grounds about Duuodin, and tho steps to be taken to bring tho requirements of players before the Reserves Committee and tlie superintendent of reserves. It was indicated that the association would strongly support tho movement ou foot among sports bodies to secure direct representation on the City Council.—Mr Martin moved that the association write to all the other sporting bodies, asking them to appoint three delegates each to attend a meeting hr be arranged to discuss the action necessary to put playing areas of the city in a satisfactory state.— Tho motion was carried, and Messrs J. J. Clark, G. A, Martin, and C. Todd wove appointed to represent the association at this

meeting. THE WELLINGTON MATCH. The manager, Wellington touring team, wrote about details of the visit to Dunedin, and stating that the team against Otago would be selected from the following:—Collins, Brico, M'Girr, Kortlang, Dempster, Hiddloston, Condliffc, Alderaley, Baker, Bruce, Hutchings, Henderson, and Ronakl-

3oii.— lt was decided to start the match at 11 a.m. on Saturday, and Mr W. A. Rowland was appointed official scorer. FINANCE. The treasurer submitted a balance sheet showing a credit balance, of £260. There had been a loss ot over £69 on the Canterbury match. Accounts amounting to £6,> 12s 4d were examined and passed for payment.