CRICKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22070, 28 September 1933, Page 11

CRICKET

OTAGO ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Otago Cricket Association was held last night. The president (Mr J. M. Fraser) occupied the chair, ' The chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, said that the past season had been one of the most successful ever experienced in Otago. No doubt old followers of the game could remember seasons that had been more successful, but the present generation could not recollect one that had been better from all points of view. The fact that the weather had been all that could be desired had been a helpful factor. Public interest in the game had been keener thari for some years past,_ a fact which showed that if cricket was’ entertaining support would be forthcoming. The fact that Otago had won the Plunket Shield had also given added zest to the game in the district. The finances of the association were in a healthy condition and reflected the success of the players. There had been increased entries, and the growth of the popularity of the game among ladies promised well for the future. Another factor which showed that the game was on the up grade was the number of firms which had taken part in the League Competition. Though Otago had not had a visit from the English team a promise had been made that the next overseas team would play in Dunedin, and he was sure that that promise would be honoured'. The association had every reason to be thankful for the assistance which it had had in obtaining suitable cricket areas. A member of the City Council had told him that the allocation for grounds had been cut down considerably. That was disappointing, but it had to be remembered that the councillors were the trustees of the ratepayers, and had to,hold the scales as nearly level as possible between those who asked for. reduced rates and the cricketers, who.-were clamouring for improvements to grounds. The council was sympathetic towards cricketers, but its first duty Was towards the ratepayers as a whole. It would have been noticed that the coach (Mr F. T. Badeock) had secured an engagement in the Lancashire League. The committee, appreciating the fact that another association was anxious to secure his services, had engaged him for the 1934-35 and 1935-36, seasons at a salary of £312 for each season. This would involve the expenditure of a fair amount of money, but the committee was confident that it had nothing to fear on that score. It was admitted that Mr Badcock was the best conch in New Zealand as well as the cheapest.— (Applause.) Otago had lost three of last season’s representatives in Chettleburgh, Coupland, and Smith. On the other hand R. 0. Talbot-had been gained from Canterbury. The rules of the association were now being revised, and would in the near future be submitted to delegates. Mr G. A. Martin seconded the motion. He expressed the opinion that if cricketers wanted better grounds they ■would have to pay for them. Tiiey would have to do more for themselves. He paid, a tribute to the work of the coach, stating that he was the hardest worked coach that Otago had. ever had, and that hp was an inspiration to all cricketers. He referred to the effort to conduct coaching in the north end, and stated that when arrangements were made the cricketers would not attend. He thought that it would be better to have all practices at Carisbrook. - The, motion was carried. ARRANGEMENTS FOR INCORPORATION. Mr D. A. Solomon moved: “That arrangements be made to incorporate the association under the Incorporated Societies Act.” i . , ■ Mr Solomon said that hitherto the associatidn had not been a legal entity. The chief advantage of ' incorporation would be the limitation of its liability. Should the association become involved in any large claim the delegates would be liable for a sum of money. If it were incorporated the association would be liable only for its assets. The expense of incorporation would be very small indeed. This was the only association ot standing that was not incorporated. The motion was carried. JUNIOR MATCHES. Mr J. A. Robson moved—That in one day matches the team batting first must close its innings not later than 4.50 p.m. Should there be any interruption by weather conditions the time so lost may be added to the innings of the team batting first if claimed.” Mr Robson said- that the object of the motion was to promote bright cricketHe had taken pains to obtain the opinion of jmung cricketers, and he had found that they were favourable towards the proposal. Under present conditions there was a tendency to hang on to a good wicket and not leave sufficient time for the other side to bat. Boys who wished to play a bright game should be encouraged in that desire. If they wanted bright cricket they should start at the bottom. . _ In seconding the motion Mr G. A. Wycherley said that it would make .late starters adhere to the time set down for the commencing of matches, because teams would realise that they might be losing valuable time. Mr J. J.' Clark said that a difficulty would arise if the team which lost the toss was responsible for the game starting late. Mr Robson replied that in that ease the other side should claim the match, but Mr M. G. MTnnes pointed out that if such a course were followed the teams would not have a game. Mr J. H. I). Miller stated that interest would be increased if, in junior matches, more points were allowed for a straightout win. , , , , Mr T. O’Shea claimed that the proposed rule would give rise to serious disputes if time were Tost at the start of matches. They were trying to coach boys to play correct cricket, but this proposal would encourage “ sloggers.” Mr J. A. Dunning opposed any suggestion that more points should be allowed for outright wins. This, he said, would do more than anything else to encourage reckless batting, and in strong teams only the best batemen would be given a “ hand ” because teams would be encouraged to declare their innings closed. An amendment moved by Mr W. Brookes, that Mr Robson’s motion and the question of giving more points for outright wins, be referred to the incoming committee was carried by 23 votes to 15. REPRESENTATION OF • UMPIRES. Mr W. A. Rowland wrote conveying the following resolution passed at a meeting of of the Umpires’ Association:—That the Otago Cricket Association be respectfully requested to make provision for the representation of the Umpires’ Association on the executive.” On the motion of Mr Robson, it was unanimously decided that it should be a recommendation to the committee now framing the new rules that provision should be made in the rules for direct representation for the Umpires’ Association on the committee.

The mover stated that in every other centre the umpires were directly _ represented on the Management Committee. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS,-The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: —President, Mr J. M. Fraser; vice-presidents—Messrs G. A. Martin, A. H. Allen, P. Rundle, and F. Binney; com-mittee—-Dr Reid and Messrs W. Strang, A. W. Sinclair, T.. P. Cuddie, E. G. Williams, J. A. Dunning, R. 0. Talbot, 0. Stevens, W. R. Brinsley, W. Brookes, E, H. Ferguson : (Boys' Association), and D Solomon (honorary Inembers’ representative); auditors, Messrs W. G. Pickard and A. Rayner; secretary, Mr E. S. Wilson. Prior to the election' of the committee the chairman said that several clubs had raised the question of direct representation on the execnutive, and he had. noted that a number of clubs had nominated only one member for the committee. He assured delegates that when members were elected it was an invariable rule that they made their one concern the good ot Otago cricket as a whole,' Mr A Restieaux said that his club (Grange) had not received a fair deal in respect of its ground. One member of the committee had stated that the ground was not fit for senior play. No greater injury to the club could have been done. He attributed the position to the club’s lack of direct representatloMr Clark said, that Mr Restieaux, as a life member, was entitled to attend all committee meetings. . ' , A discussion on the position of life members followed. ~ , ~ Mr G. A. Wycherley said that at the last annual meeting he was elected a life member, but he received no notice of the first meeting of the General Committee at which the Management Committee was appointed. On inquiry the chairman informed him that he had given instructions that notices were not to be sent to life members.. Naturally, added Mr Wycherley, he did not attend the meeting, and, still more naturally, he did not attend any others. ' The chairman replied that he had no recollection of the matter. OPENING OF SEASON. Mr E. H. Ferguson said that four wickets would be available for 'First Grade cricket at Logan Park on October 14. Mr Robson added that it was hoped that it would be possible to start junior matches on October 28, but it was not yet certain that that could be done. It was decided to commence senior matches on October 14. It was also resolved that the hours of play should be the same as those observed last season. TURF PRACTICE WICKETS. Mr Wycherley moved—" That it be, a recommendation to the incoming committee to investigate without delay the best method of ensuring that all senior clubs obtain practice on turf wickets.” He referred to the handicap which the members of his club suffered through having to practise on concrete. It could not point to a single cricketer of class, whom it had produced during the period in which it had been confined to these conditions. He referred to the efforts of the club to obtain turf wickets, and stated that application had been made to both the Carisbrook Club and the Otago Rugby Union for the use of the Carisbrook Ground, but the Carisbrook Club did not see its way to agree. It seemed possible that good wickets could be made on Tonga Park. Mr G. R. Dickinson said that clubs should help themselves. The motion, which was supported by Mr A. Dowling and Mr 0. Stevens, was carried. THE NORTH GROUND. It. was also decided that it should be a recommendation to the executive that every consideration be given to the request of the Grange Club that the North Ground be treated as fit for senior matches, and that a deputation be appointed from the association to approach the City Council asking for improvements to the outfield. Mr Stevens said that if the ground were lost the, death knell of the Grange Club would be sounded. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. Mr A. H. Allen moved the following motion, which was carried:—“ That the Management Committee be instructed to endeavour to arrange annual fixtures with Southland and South Otago, and also North Otago and South Canterbury, and that at least one of the games be played prior to Otago’s engagement in its first Plunket Shield match.”