CRICKET, NOTES BY LONG SLIP. LORD HAWKE'S TEAM CARISBROOK CRICKET CLUB DUNEDIN CRICKET CLUB. RAVENSBOURNE CLUB PORT CHALMERS CLUB PRIVATEERS CLUB. CLUB MEETINGS. ALBION CRICKET CLUB. OPOHO CRICKET CLUB. THE GRANGE CLUB OTAGO CRICKET ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2631, 17 September 1902, Page 52

CRICKET, NOTES BY LONG SLIP.

LORD HAWKE'S TEAM

CARISBROOK CRICKET CLUB

DUNEDIN CRICKET CLUB.

RAVENSBOURNE CLUB

PORT CHALMERS CLUB

PRIVATEERS CLUB.

CLUB MEETINGS. ALBION CRICKET CLUB.

OPOHO CRICKET CLUB.

THE GRANGE CLUB

OTAGO CRICKET ASSOCIATION.

L. O. S. Poidevin was the first member of the London County C.C. to aggregate 1000 runs this season, the matches, of course, including several second -class ones. After the fourth test match the Ausi tralians paid a little more 'attention to catch- | ing, especially Hill, Noble, and Gregory, who were- noticed assiduously practising leng | catches in the field. It was hardly so i pretty as the jugglery with which the colo1 nials sometimes amuse the crowd, but it was more useful. ' ! | "One of the most remarkable balls I ever bowled or saw bowled," says a writer in th» American Cricketer, "was a ball I bowled, which struck .a-spike in the matting and caused the ball to return towards the bowler before it had passed the batsman. \ Now, what would be the decision in that case?" F. S. Jackson holds the distinction of being the only batsman who lias played three innings of a hundred in a test match in the Old Country. His Ecores are:— lß93, at the. Oval, 103 ; 1899, at the Oval, 118 ; 1902, at Manchester, 128. English mail tells of marvellous, unparalleled hitting by Somerset player W. Hyman. Bath opposed Thornbury in July, and, with lhr 50min to play, Bath compiled 466 fo* six wickets — more than four n.n9 per minute. Towards this huge total, Hyman brought 359 (not out)— notching 32 sixers. Sceeetsne- overs from Dr E. MGrace saw Hyuiau get 32 runs— four s>i-Va and two four's — in each instance. Tiioinbury bowlers included Paish and Spry, who were with Gloucestershire against Australia this season. When Tate's stump went down and settled the fourth test match spectators sat whitefaced with pent-up excitei-pru. Some actually fainted tinder the ...action from the strain of the- last hve minutes. The wife of one of the Australians shouted at the height of her -ioice. involuntarily; she_ was for the moment unconscious of the outburst. The . scene was indeed one of indescribable intensity of feeling. — London E/News. A. E. Stoddartv the ex-English Eleven captain, has bc<"i missing from cricket of late. It appiar- thit he has b^en forbidden to play by his medical ad\i-«. In July, however, no had so far impioved in health that hs expects to reappear on the cricket field in- August. Speaking of the last few minutes play in the fourth test match, won by the Australians by 3 runs, a writer in the London Daily Express says:— The tension at Old Trafford on Saturday in the later stages of the gamo was, as- one of the county officials said, "dramatically awful." Some people could not remain seated to look at Tate and Rhodes batting, but feverishly walked about behind the crowd, alternately hoping and fearing. It recalled Harry Trott rushing out of sight of the 1896 match, unable to bear the strain of the close finish. "If Trottie had been here to-day he would have been throwing eatherine-wbeel fits," said an Australian. . . . Meu held their breath and crouched forward. Some were trembling. Think of it ! One solid drive, one timely cut, or evcu a. lucky snick, and cricket history would have been revolutionised." English writers appropriately dub Jessop the "Croucher." Thus an English exchange on the Gloucestershire v. Liverpool and district game, commenced at Nottingham on July 31:— But for the efforts of G. L. Jessop Vjrioucestershire would have made a sorry show. The "Pmucher" hit in sensational style. Pc t»>ok 43 minuteg to complete his first 5° ' •' V- n>nde his second mlf-eentury in less than 20 minute*, and after reaching tin- •• I'.^tireft he hit Dixon for 19 in one o\©r, including four consecutive fours. Then again, on a slow pitch at Manchester, the GlouCHtershire team made runs readily from the. Lancashire bowling. The "C'rouchor" ainoto with rharacteristic vigour, making 63 out of 86 in 5«5 mim-trs. The Manchester Guardian prints the following graphic account of Hill's catch a,t Manohester, during the fourth t&st mutch, when England required 8 runs to win:— Now only 10 were wanted. Lilley* mad* 2 from Tmrnble, and that was 8. It was noticed by the curious in these matters that for Lille-y there were, by orders of Tnimble and Darling, three men out in tbf country. Clement Hill was in front of the pavilion, the outermost barrier on the Stretford bide. Trumble seemed to know his Lilley. He sent down a ball which he knew that Lill»y would hit at. It was % ball to th» on. Lilley meant to put things right. He made a great swipe at it, Hill returned it fast, and it ought to have been a case of run out. But again Kelly could not gather it. Hill said things which people could not hear, but it was declared that he was swearing. The same over, the same ball, the same hit. But now the ball went high, and Hill mad© a long run for it. It seemed an impossible oateh, but yet Hill made it. Running at top sp^ed he put out a. hand, he-Id the t>a.ll, and f>o terrific was his pace thai ha had to go 20 yards onwards, ball in hand. "It is a sinful catch." said a gpeefcator, and one can understand his feelings quite well.

The secretary of the Otago Cricket Association yesterday received information stating that a cablegram had been received that Lord Hawke's team of English cricketers would leave Kngland in November, and ar-ri-.c iv Auckland about January 10, 1903.

AUCKLAND, September 10. At a meeting of the Auckland Cricket vssoctiation last evening it was deckled not to sign an agreement prantinj Lord Hawke permission to play professionals in his team, and al*o to object to forw ird a letter of credit from the New Zealand Association unli 1 " the Australian associations c-ontributo portion of the not receipts providing Lord Hawse's team, visits Anntiralifc

NELSON, September 10. A guarantee of £100 to ensure a match ■with Lord Hawke's team was raised here. CHRISTCHURCH, September 12. A letter received by the New Zealand Cricket Council indicates that cricketers at Adelaide intend to try and get Lord Hawke's team to \isit that city at the conclusion of the New Zealand tour. COFXTY CHAMPIONSHIP. LONDON, September 8. Thp county cricket championship goes to Yorkshire, with 12 points. Sussex is second with ! points. Notts and Surrey have 3 each, Lancashire 2, and Warwickshire 1.

The thirty-ivnth annual meeting of the Albion Cricket Ciub was held in the Caledonia Hotel last week. There were 45 persons in attendance. In the unavoidable absence of Mr James Allen, M.H.R. Ipresident), Mr B. T. Ringer (a vice-president) occupied the chair. The annual report v>as .aken as read. The Chairman, m moving its adoption, said he was \ery pleased to see so large an attendance. Hi had been present at a good many annual meetings during the last 18 years, but be did not remember having seen at any previous meeting so large a gathering as there was there that night. He thought it augured very well for the succeEs of the club during th© foithcomincr season. The President's team bftd won the Third Class Championship during- the year. — (Applause.) It wajs the first time for many years that the club had secured a championship. He hoped some ol the other teams would follow the example of the President's team and win a championship during the coming season. — (Applause.) He would a!^o like to congratulate the club on the induMon of Messrs Williams and Geddes in the interpiovincial team of la&t year, and he hopsd that a few more of their members would represent the province in forthcoming interprovinciai matohes.— (Applause.) It ought to be the height of their ambition to represent the province. The balance sheet was very satisfactory, and spoke well for* llo energy of their secretary.— (Applause.) When thi. additions to the pa-vihon were finished it would be a handsome and useful strucMr J. J. Clark seconded the motion. After a, short discussion, the motion was put and carried unanimously. The election of officers was then proceeded with and resulted as follows :— Patron, Mr James Allen, M.H.R.; president, Mr T. A. Maitland ; vice-presidents — Dr Closs. Mossrs Islip, Wright, ' Clark, Ringer, Gruer, Cohen, Shelton, and Camming* ; captain of club, Mr L. Joel; secretary and treasurer, Mr G. Oummings ; committee — Messrs Winsor, Williams, Thomson, Peake, Corbett, and \ri&; delegates to the Otago Cricket Association, Messrs Ritchie and Clark; Match Committee, Messrs Williams and Wmsor; praexice captains, Messrs Aris and Winsor; hon auditors, Messrs Maryatt and Duncan ; delegate to the Protection Society, Mr I*. Cummings.

The annual ineotincc of the Opoho Cricket Club was held at the Great Northern Hotel, Zing street, last week, when Mr A. M'Lean presided, and there was a large attendance. The annual report stated that the clubs record for the past season had been an improvement on the previous one, and the coming season m-oinised to be more successful still, there being a number of promissing players on the list. The Senior Eleven had played nme cup matches, winnhv* four and losing five. The Second Eleven had played 14 matches, winning saven and losing seven, and the Third Eleven had played 12, winning five and losing seven. Financially, the club was not in a very satisfactory position, as members had not paid their subscriptions when due. The committee desired to place on record its regret at the loss the club had sustained by the death of a promising batsman, James C. Adam. In the First Eleven the president's (Mr J. Wain's) cup, carrying with it Messrs M'Gavm and Co.'s gold medal, bad been won by W. A. Kilgour, with a batting average of 22.07. He had been closely run by G. M'Gavin, with an average of 20.6. Mr S. S. Myers's bat by R. M. Ohadwick, with a bowling average of 10.5, H. Eckhoff running close with 10.63. In the Second Eleven the late Mr A. E. Osten's cup, carrying with, it Mr J. Wain's silver medal, ha»l been won by the late J. C. Adam, with the splendid batting average of 47.57, and the club's bat by Frank Ooombe, with a bowling average of 8.07. In the Third Eleven the club's bats had been won by P. Stevens, with a batting average of 19.4, and E- Crow, with a bowling average of 5.62. A mixed team from the club had, during the Christmas holidays, journeyed to Waitahuna and Lawrence, and had succeeded in defeating both of the local teams. The ground had been rolled and top-dressed, and should prove in good order for the opening day.

The balance sheet showed receipts amounting to £2A 11s 6d and expenditure to £27 Is 6d, leaving a debit balance of £2 10s. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said there were some matters for congratulation and some for regret. Th« club deeply regretted the loss by death of the promising young batsman J. C. Adam, who had totalled the> splendid average of 47.57 runs per innings. The committee had forwarded a letter of condolence to his mother and had also rent a wreath on behalf of the club. Another matter for regret was the state of the club's funds. There was a debit balance of £2 10a, but if members had paid up their subscriptions there would have been a credit balance of 30s. He regretted that players did not pay their subscriptions more promptly and before the annual meeting at least. The olub had also lost the services, through illness, of the captain (W. A. Webb). He trusted that during the coming season this player would be able to appear on the field again, and, he was pleased to say, this was practically assured. The club had reason to congratulate iteelf upon the very honourable position, the First Eleven had taken in the senior matches. It had been somewhat unfortunate at first, but that had been in great measure due to the loss of the bowler. Messrs Kilgour and M'Gavm had ably filled the breach. The Second and Third Elevens had played very well. In conclusion, the Chairman urged upon players the necessity for regular prap-

The motion was carried without discussion. Nine new members were elected. The prizes mentioned in the report, including the president's cup, which becomes the absolute property of W. A. Kilgour, he having won it three times in succession, were then presented by the Chairman, with appropriate remark 5 ;. The following officers were elected: — President, Mr J. Wain ; vice-oresidents, Messrs S. S. Myers and J. Kerr; club captain. Mr A. M'Lean; General Committee— Messrs Gooch, Watkms. Sharp, Johnston, and Collar; delegates to 0.0.A., Messrs Gooch and M'Lean; delegate to 0.A.P.5., Mr W, A. Kilgour ; Match Committee, the captains of First and Second Elevens and Mr G. 3f 'Gavin ; secretary, Mr W. Doyle; treasurer, Mr J. Abbott.

The- annual meeting of the Carisbrook Cricket Ciub was held on Saturday night in Wain's Hotel, Mr Crosby Morris presiding. There was a fairly good attendance of members, some 30 putting in an appearance. The annual report, of which the following are extracts, was taken as read. CUP MATCHES. The--A team has again succeeded in bringing home the coveted championship shield, this being for the sixth year in succession, and great praise is due to the members of this team for so worthily maintaining the honour of the club. Nine matches were played, in seven of which they were victorious, suffering defeat in one instance at the hands of their old-time rivals, the Grange, while one match, with the Dunedin Club, was unfinished. The B team in the early pfirt of the season hRd -a splendid recoid, occupying at the conclusion of the Srst round the proud position cf runners-tip, but owing to their best men l.e-ing called upon to fill vacancies caused by several A team members leaving the city, they were not quite so successful in the latter part of t.ho season. Their performance was, notwithstanding, a very creditable one, and a great deal is to be said of the determined efforts of this teßm. iVTUI.'-GKS lix the face of \vha,t ivipLt be toimed a wet season, the averages were \ery satisfactory. In senior batting, G. Mills, with 46.23, A. H. Firiier 41.57, H. G. Siedebeig 39.58, and G. G. Austin 37.57 have all broken the previous club record of 35.00, while J. li. Burt is not far behind with 31.10. The senior bowling does not show proportionate merit, although comparing favourably with that of other clubs. A. H. Fi3her's performance in scouring 42 wickets at a coat of 8.24 runs per w:cket deservps mention, whilst R. L. Fisher with 10.10, and "W. Butler 30 -wickets for 456, are next in order of merit. In the Junior ranjjs only a fraction separates E. Biindlo (25.11) and T. G. Scoular (25.07), whilst several others hold good positions. The bowling honours are divided between T. G. Scoular and H. C. Stevens. TKOPHUfS. President's Bat.— Best batting average D team, Mr E. Bundle. Vice-president's Cup.— Highest individual scoie, Mr G. Mills. ' . Mr Fisher's Bat. — First century, Mr H. G-. Siedebeig. Messrs Laidla-w and Grays -Bat.—Best-wit-ting average B team, Mr H. Harfa-'syoy. Club Bat. — Be3t bowling , -average , B team (won'-by Mr Burt, but re-donated), Mr- E. L. Fisher. . ' , Club Bat.— -Best bowling ■ average D team, Mr T. G. Scoulax. REEBESENTATrVE' BATCHES; ■ Messrs A. H. Fisher, H. G. Siedeberg, G. G. Austin, G. Mills, J. R. Burt, L. Monk, and W Butler were chosen for representative matches, and worthily tipheld-the honour of the club. pkrsonal. Your committee also desire to- place on record the deep sense of regret felt on the death of Mr T. S. Baker, whose genial personality and keenness and energy in the game had made him a most popular member ; and also of the heavy loss m the ranks of the dub's supporteis occasioned by the deceasa of Mr \V. H. Dodson and Mr J. P. Maitland, the hitter gentleman being for many years president oi the club in its early stages. The Chairman, in moving its adoption, congratulated the club on the success of tho past season, and said he was glad that tlio bonior team had been able to win the fchiold again. Tho mo=t satisfactory feature of the season's play was the creditable stand of the B team. Alembei* would recollect that in the first round the B team were run-ners-up for the shield. In the second round some of the best men were taken out to fill places in the A team. He had some doubts as to the wi-dom of the committee in doing this, and thought that, it possiblo, the teams should not bo altered during the season. If a vacancy occurred in the A team, at least the best men should not be taken onfc of the B team. He would also like to refer to the paragraph in the report which mad« reference to the deaths of Messrs J. P. Maitland, T. S. Baker, and W. Dodson. They would all remember these gentlemen very well, and it would be some time before the club got three as good supporters as these gentlemen had been. The balance sheet was satisfactory, and they carried forward £42 0s Bd. It was only fair to mention that £38 represented proceeds of the carnival, and rightly this should be treated as a liability. Outstanding subscriptions amounted to £20 4s 6d, but since the balance sheet had been audited the sum of £6 6s had been collected. Mr C. R. Smith seconded the motion. The report was then adopted. The following office-bearers were elected for the season 1902-03 : —President, Dr Batchelor; vice-presidents, Messrs Crosby Morris and H. D. Stronach ; captain, Mr A. H. Fisher; deputy-captain, Mr E. J. Austin; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. 8. Columb; committee — Messrs J. J. Kingston, D. Munro, H-. G. Siedeberg, W. H. Pearless, J. Harraway; delegates to the 0.C.A., Messrs O. R. Smith and A. H. Fisher; Match Committee Messrs H. G. Siedeberg and G. Mills; delegate to the Sports Protection Association, Mr J. 8. Columb. Six members were elected. Mr C R. Smith brought up the matter of the visit of Lord Hawke's team. The crioketers of Otago had been asked to give a guarantee of £250 towards the expenses. Some members of the association had canvassed the public pretty freely, and obtained a number of. guarantees. He thought that all crioketers should have their name* on this guarantee list for a guinea. Unless something extraordinary happened, he did not think the liability would be more than 5s or 7s 6d. He would like .to express his appreciation of the way the business community met Messrs Hanlon, Rattray, and himself in giving the guarantees referred to. Then Chairman then presented MeesTS Morris and Stronach's cup to Mr G. Mills for the highest score, and mentioned that they would have pleasure in presenting- another cup for the ensuing season.—-(Ap-

for the first century scored during the season. "

The annual meeting of the Dunedra* Cricket Club was heid in the Grand Hotel last evening. Some 40 persons were in attendance. Mr T. S. Graham (president of the club) occupied the chair. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, expressed his pleasure in appearing before them once again. The report had been circulated amongst them, and he thought they would agree with him that it was a very favourable one. The Chairman then, made a running comment on the report, drawing special attention to good work done by individual members, the mentfdtt of whose names was received with applause. He mentioned the success of No. 1 junior team, which, it seem to hita,- was ■ stealing up in the footsteps of the senior team. He would n-,k the latter team- to "look out" during the toining s-ason. It was gratifying to know 'that during the past season the playing strength of the club had kept up, and that young players had come to the front. He trxisted as the club got older it would increase in strength. — (Applause.) He concluded "by expressing the hope that the members would practise assiduously, for success could not be achieved without hard work. Mr A. Maclean seconded the motion, which was carried. The Chairman then presented Mr 'J. Drumm with the Maclean Cup, which was secured by him for' the best batting average in the past season;' also with a gold medal, which the club givea to the holddr^ of the cup. He also presented .Messrs "_ Wilkie and Fleming with orders for bats. Messrs Baxter and Al'Beth not being present;, did not receive their orders, it being; left to the secretary to send them. A further presentation was afterwaras made, Mr Courtis handing to the president (Mr Graham) a photo of the No. 1 Junior team, in recognition of his sterling worth as president of the club and the active interest he took in cricket generally. Mr Graham suitably acknowledged the presentation. Later on in the evening a photo, of the No. 1 team was presented to Mr J. Spence, who had rendered good service during the past season to that eleven by acting as umpire. The election of office-bearers for th« ensuing season was then proceeded with, and resulted" as follows :— Preoident, Mr T. S. Graham (re-eleot-ed) ; vice-presidents-Messrs J. Witt, H. B. Courtis, A. Cowie, J. Aines. W. Maclean, J. Blaney, Dr Evans, * and G. Pram ; captain, Mr W. H. Skitch ; deputy-captain, Mr G. Reardon; secretary and treasurer, Mr 15. S. Wilson ; committee—Messrs A. Maclean, F. Blakely, J. Drnmtn, H. Gunthorpe, D. R'lues, and J. Melville ; Selection Committee — Messrs Skitch, Reardon, and Fielden; delegates to the Otago Cricket Association, Messrs Skiteh and Wilson ; auditors, Messrs Cramor.d and Hania'nn. * , . It was intimated that Messrs Granara, 'Oowiq, Witt, Skitch,. Maclean, an*. Brown.- 1 would; give .priaes. for competition during! the coming season. It wa»'«lso, stated . ( that the club would run » Wednesday team.- £ , Fourteen new members were propSse'd during .the evening, including the veteran Mr C. Frith.. . ' ' ''

At the annual meeting of ther above club there was a goodly attendance. Mr Cray (Mayor of the BorouaW occupied the chair. The balance sheet and report were read and adopted. The following office-bearers were elected for the forthcoming seeeon : —President, his Worship the Mayor (Mr Cray); vice-presidents — Mpasrs Charles George, Chris. George, Hawcridge, Crawley, Barclay, and Ross; treasurer, Mr A. Harrop ; secretary, Mr C. o' Sullivan; captain, ur G. Macdonald ; deputy-captain, Mr Crosbie ; General Committee— Messrs Crosbie, J. Minn, Pope, Larnach, Jamieson, ; tempor?ry Match Committee, Messrs Maodonuld, Crosbie, and J. Minn; delegate to Otago Cricket Association, Mr G. Macdonald; delegate to Athletic Protection Society. Mr C o' Sullivan ; auditor, Mr Campbell. Ine meeting closed by a hearty vote of thanks being passed to the out-going officers.

The annual general meeting of tlv aJ oye olub was held in the Town Hall on th« SJi in*t there being a fair number of members present. In the -absence of the president, Mr R. Bauchop occupied the chair. The report and balance sheet-were read and adopted, after which the following officebearers were elected for the ensuing year: — President, Mr E 6. Allen, M.H.R. ; vicepresidents—Dr W. H. Borrie. Rav..E. 0. Tennent, Captain W. Thomson, Messrs J. Mill, W. Hunter, W. J. Waters, F. W. Platte, G. Edgar, N. Dodds, J. Stevenson, and D. A. De Maus ; secretary and treasurer, Mr|D J. Jack; General Committee— Messrs A. Davidson, R. Bauchop, J. H. Crawford, R. Jack, W. Sings, and the captain and doputy-captain ; delegate to the Otago Cricket Association, MrjA. E. Geddes. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

The ninth annual meeting of the above club was held on Monday evening in St. Joseph's Hall, there being a large attendance of members. In the absence of the president, Mr G. A. Nelson (vice-president) occupied the chair. The committee reported to the following effeot : —

The finances, as shown by the balance sheet, are in » flourishing condition, there being a credit balance of £4 10s 9d, which must be accounted very satisfactory. The Junior Cup team did not meet with the same success as in the former year, having played in all 15 matches, winning 6, lo&ing 7, widwon 2by default. The record cannot be considered a bad one when everything is taken into consideration* The No. 1 Third Class team played 14 matches, winning 5 and losing 8, and won 1 by default. This team did not come up to expectation!}, but still they were generally able to give a good account of themselves. The most of the members of this team were young players, and some good form was shown by them. However, the committee hope they will give a good account) of themselves during the ensuing season. In the Junior Cup team W. Floyd heads the batting with an average of 13.8, being closely followed by J. Walker with an average of 11. The last-named player showed great improvement towards th© end of the season. The bowling average is headed by Gr. Hesford with an average of 7.3. J. Miller bowled very consistently for this team, securing 44 wickets at a. cost of 8.7 per wicket. During the season the club ftSeJJeamf to. .WftiiaJmsa and KaitangaUt. TbM

hospitality extended to us by these clubs was fully appreciated. On the motion of Mr F. Heley and seconded by Mr J. O'Connor, the report and balance sheet were adopted. % Tho election of office-bearers resulted as follows : — President, Mr C. E. Haughton ; vice-presidents — Rev. Fathers Murphy and Coffey, and Messrs M. Coughlan, E. O'Connell, G. A. Nelson, M. O'Halloran, and T. M'Cormack j secretary, Mr G. A. Herford ; tusistant secretary, Mr R. Miller; practice captains, Messrs G. East and W. Floyd; General Committee — Captain, deputy-cap-tain, secretary, and Messrs A. Murray and Miller ; delegate to Otago Crioketers' Association, Mr J. H. Miller; delegate to Sports Protection Association, Mr G. A." Nelson ; auditors, Messrs A. Bragg and F. Heley.

The annual meeting of the Grange Cricket Qlub was held last evening, the president (Mr A. C. H«ilon) being in the choir. On the. motion of tho -Chairman, seconded by Mr Heßtienx, i-he. report was adopted, ofwhich the following are extracts: — /Respecting our < work in the field, the First Eleven -again £11 "the second position in the Senior, Cup contest*. .-They commenced the season' inauspioiously. by suffering defeat- in tho first match, the Carisbrook B team being their conquerors. This' seemed to have a depressing effect, aa before the season, expired they were also defeated by the Carisbrook A, Opoho, and Albion. Their play was not up to the same even standard of former years, though in the return match with our old-time victors, Carisbrook A, they succeeded for the first time in many ears in securing a meritorious win. The form shown by the younger members in this match leads your committee to think that at our next annual meeting there is more than a remote possibility of the First Eleven being hailed as premiers for the season 1902-3. Averages. — A. Down eg takes double honours with a batting record of 320 runs for nine completed innings, average' 35.6 ; a bowling performance as follows — 56 wickets for 415 runs, average 7.4. Those figures" hardly require comment, but your committee think the club is fortunate in possessing a payer capable of 4uoh fine performances. Captain J. Baker takes second place in the batting with an aggregate of 354 for 16 completed innings, aver- - age 23.6, followed by J. Roberts, C. Chadwick, J. Anderson, H. M'Cormack, and W. Johnson, in that ord«r. Useful work in the bowling department was done by T. Dowries, W. Henderson, A. Robinson, and L. Ferguson. In the interprovincial contests Canterbury, Ha wire' a Bay, and Southland the club was worthily represented by J. Baker and A. Downes, the former adding one more to his already long list of triumphs by scoring 103 against H&wke's Bay, this being the first century ever scored by an Otago player in an interprovincial contest. A. Downes did yeoman's service both in the batting and bowling, ' as the following will sliow. Batting average 52.3, bowling 27 wickets at a cost of 9.6 runs per wicket. .The olub is to be congratulated on the ,fine performances of the above-mentioned players. They are not only a credit to the club and their province, but to New Zealand. I Office-bearers wore then elected as follows for the ensuing season: — President, Mr A. j C. Hanlon ; vice-presidents — Messrs A. Dey, i W. Wyatt. Wiffin, W. B. Smith, Morrison, ', and Stirling ; captain, Mr W. Parker ; j deputy-captain, Mr C. Chadwick : secretary I and treasurer, Mr J. N.. Downes : assistant secretary, Mr A. Spence ; General Committee — Messrs Lawlor, Brydone. A. Robinson. Roberts, Henderson, and Weitzel ; Selection Committee — Messrs W Parker, A Downes, and C. Chadwick ; delegates to Otago Cricket Association, Messrs J. N. Downes and G. J Beetieaux ; delegate to Piotection Asscx ia- j tion, Mr J. N. Downes.

The following report will he presented at the annual meeting to be held on tho 19th inst. : —

Your committee, in presenting the annual report, heartily congratulate members on the success of the past season. On each occasion that your representatives were called upon to uphold the honour of the province they were successful. The chief fixture of the season vrag the time-honoured match against Canterbury, ■which was played at Christchurch, and won by your representatives by the good margin of 122 runs. Otago has now a lead of two wins over our Canterbury friends. The chief feature of this match was the fine batting performance of Messrs Wilkie and Williams, the former scoring 73 and the latter 39 *t a. time when Tuns were badly wanted. The bowling performance of Mr A. Downe3, who secured seven wickets at a cost of 32 runs on a perfect batsman's wicket, stands out as one of his best performances, and he was the recipient of many hearty congratulations from followers of the game in both provinces. The match a-gainst Howke's Bay created more than usual interest

on accpunt of the inclusion of Mr A. E. Trott in their team. The game resulted in a rather easy win for Otago by an innings and 117 runs, a result achieved mainly by the splendid batting performance of your representatives, the innings totalling 346. Mr J. Baker showed some of his true form by contributing 103 in good style, thereby winning the trophy presented by the association for any player making a century in an interprovincial contest. He was ably assisted by Messrs A. E. Geddes (77), R. Wilkie (49), and A. Downes (30). The performance of Mr A. E. Trott did not come up to expectations, his chief success being with the bat, but his bowling average would have read better had the fielding been of a higher order. The match against Southland again demonstrated the advisability of that province playing at leas# 13 in their team, the win by an innings and G5 runs pointing in that direction. Th« Colts' Match, played on 9th November, did not bring out any promising juniors, with the exception of E. Cummings, whose bowling average of five wickets for "28 runs against an Otago Eleven was a fir»t-cla»& performance. . The various championships were as usual very keenly contested. The Carisbrook A team again won the Senior Shield. The Grange team occupied their usual position of runners-up," and- the third r>laoe was shared, by -the Albion and Ogoho. The Junior Championship fell to tho Dunedin Np. 1 team- with an unbeaten record, the Hendley, with one loss, being a good second. The Albion, with an unbeaten records sacured the Third Class Championship. The weather throughout the season was a great improvement on the previous year, and may the elements again favour cricketers. The finances of the association a.re in c satisfactory condition, as will be seen from the balance sheet attached. The thanks of the association are due to Messrs Hellyer and Boddmgton, who act aB your de-legates to the Now Zealand Cricket Council ; to Mr C. R. Smith for again placing his office at the disposal of the committee for meetings; and to the press for the publicity given to the affairs of the association and to the advancement of cricket generally. ■ The coming season should prove a very interesting one, as tho usual mntch with Canterbury will be nlaved here, and there is a probability of a Wellington toa.m comine to Dunedin. The event round which the chief interest will centre, however. i« the visit of an Knglish team organised by Lord Hawke. A good team has been pot together in England, and their matches will be looked forward to with great pleasure by all lovers of the gamp. The following averages refer tn qpa«nn 1901-1902. and have been compiled by Mr I"). H. Thomson, hon. pperetary of the Otago Cricket Association : — Matches Played- v. Canterbury, at Christchurch, Otago won by 122 rune ; v. Hawke's Bay, at Dunedin, Otago won by an innings and 117 runs; v. Southland, at Dunedin, Otago won by an innings and 65 runs. Batttx.-- A * r.n ■ ors

Batsman. -§'3 9-t? SP& | ~ > k. Downes.. ..4 1 70 157 52.3 Ft. Wilkie . 3—73 122 40 6 \. E. Geddes (captain) .. 4 — 77 159 39,75 I. Baker .. 4 — 103 113 28.25 I R. Burt . . 4 — 27 70 17.50 F. Williams . 4 — 39 67 14.25 k. H. Fisher 3 — 39 42 14.00 S G. Siedeberg 3 — 15 30 10.00 L. Monk ..2 1 10' 10 10.00 5. G. Austin . 4 — 16 37 9.25 W. A. Kilgour 4 — 11 S3 825 * Signifies not out. Also batted G. Mills, one inning"! for' 43;4 3; J. Wilkie, one innings for 3, W. Butler, one nnings for 2, H. Gunthorp, once not out for 3 . H. Eckhoff. once not out for 0 Bowling .Averages c —; bo w ° n JS • Bowler. "o 5 § f - > PQ S Pi P= < R. Wilkie ..18 1 3 1 3.00 a. Gunthorp 228 10 81 12 675 !L Downes ..680 31 261 27 9.6 r. Wilkie ..90 5 39 4 9.75 Li. Monk ..134 7 46 4 11.50 ?l. H. Fisher . 320 10 134 9 14 8 5. G. Austin 72 5 19 1 19 00 E. Eckhoff ..54 2 26 1 2G.00 I. Baker ..12 2 — — —