BRIGHTER CRICKET

Southland Times, Issue 19101, 20 November 1923, Page 7

BRIGHTER CRICKET

MR LOUGHNAN HITS OUT. RACE-GOING PLAYERS CRITICISED. DISCUSSION ENDS IN FIASCO. A special meeting of, the Council of the Southland Cricket Association was called for 8 o’clock last night. A Times representative arrived on time, followed by a Marist representative. The secretary arrived five minutes late and was followed by four other members who held a casual discussion and bemoaned the lack of interest taken in the “grand old game.” At half-past eight, in response to a general request, the secretary departed to ring up the president (Mr F. J. Loughnan), and ask if he intended to come along and join the gathering. On his return the secretary reported that the president had unaccountably forgotten all about the meeting, but would be along as soon as possible. Meanwhile several other members arrived, and also Dr. S. Brown, who said he was there by invitation of the president. At about nine o’clock the president arrived and apologised profusely to all and sundry. The meeting then made a belated start, those present being Messrs F. J. Loughnan, M. Staunton, C. Tapley, H. Parker, H. Petrie, J. Lilley and Barlow. PLAY ON THE SHOW GROUNDS. A letter was read from the Town Clerk with reference to the cutting of grass cn the reserves which the Association were using for cricket. A discussion was then started on the question of where and how cricket was to be played this season. The president said the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Society had offered him the inner circle of the Show Grounds for 25 per cent of the total gate money received during the season. He had accepted on behalf of the Cricket Association. The society had further offered the association the whole of the Show Grounds provided they would share the cost of cutting the grass on the outer areas. The president said he was in favour of making the Show Grounds the home of cricket and playing all matches there, both senior and junior. There was no use continuing on concrete. If they took the Show grounds the cricketers would have to prepare their own wickets. Mr Staunton moved and Mr Parker seconded, that the A. and P. Society’s offer of the inner ring of the Show Grounds for 25 per cent of the gate money be accepted. The motion was declared carried. “PLAY WITHOUT WORK.”

Mr Petrie remarked that the Appleby ground would be in order shortly and one senior match could be played there, '

Mr Tapley: That will mean that the work of preparing wickets on the Show Grounds will fall on three senior clubs.

The president: If three clubs can’t prepare two wickets, I for one have had enough of Southland cricket. I will have done with the whole business.

Mr Tapley: You must remember they will have to prepare practice wickets as well.

The president (becoming heated): Why, d it, surely they can do that easily enough. Dr. Brown said the trouble was that cricketers wanted to be able to go down to the grounds and get their game without having any work to do. Dr. Brown moved, and Mr Parker seconded, that the Grounds Committee make an inspection of the Show Grounds with a view to the association talcing them over entirely. The motion was declared carried. “WENT TO THE RACES.”

A letter was received from the Appleby Club stating that a Marist junior team had failed to fulfil a fixture with them and claiming the match by default. It was decided to instruct the secretary to write to the Marist Club drawing their attention to the fact that their junior team had defaulted for three weeks running. The president said another matter in connection with defaulting teams had been brought to his notice. He understood that certain members of a senior team had absented themselves from cricket to go to the races. In his opinion the action was a contemptible one. “If I had my way,” he said, “these men would be ordered off all cricket grounds. It is the sort of thing that ruins cricket.”

Mr Tapley: I was one of those who was away on the day in question and I object to being called these names.

The president: at the races? Mr Tapley: I refuse* to say anything in that direction.

Mr Loughnan: Then my remarks don’t apply to you. I repeat that those men who went to the races should be ordered off all cricket grounds.

Mr Tapley: Why don’t you bring the matter up in the way instead of speaking like this? Why not bring the affair before the club concerned and ask for an explanation? The president: This is the rottenest thing I have ever heard of.

Mr Tapley: I have been playing cricket here for a good many years, and always in the right spirit, I hope. Mr Loughnan: I think the men who went to the races did a rotten thing. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Mr Tapley: I may tell you that on the occasion referred to, which was a Wednesday, I was merely put in a team to fill a vacancy. I am really a Saturday player. Your language is objectionable and I protest against it.

The president: Well, you put the cap on, didn’t you. I don’t care a button where you were.

Mr Tapley (with mild irony): Thank you.

The business then proceeded in a somewhat tense atmosphere. RIGHT TO VOTE CHALLENGED.

The next matter considered was a notice of motion by Mr Petrie that the Wednesday competition be played in one-day games. Speaking to his motion, Mr Petrie said that the present system was most unsatisfactory. Teams were now getting a full game on its first day, but on the second it frequently happened that both teams turned out merely to play two or three overs. The Wednesday competition was very weak and he thought matches could easily be played in the one day. Mr Hamilton said the Union Club were opposed to one-day matches. It would mean that the side winning the toss would bat till 5 o’clock and then put the other side in with no chance of making the required total. Mr Staunton said he agreed with Mr Hamilton. It would mean one side batting all the afternoon.

Mr Petrie: That wouldn’t be sporting. Mr Staunton: I know one club that would do it, anythow. Dr. Brown said he was in favour of the one-day match. It would brighten up cricket considerably. Personally he did not mind whether it helped any particular club or not. He played for the enjoyment of the game and not to win. Mr Staunton: The Marist players will go over to tennis if one-day matches are started.

Mr Petrie: That’s not the cricket spirit. Mr Staunton: You haven’t any cricket spirit, bringing up a ridiculous motion like this.

The motion was then put to the meeting, Messrs Petrie, Tapley and Lilley voting for, and Messrs Staunton, Barlow and Hamilton against. Mr Petrie asked that a letter from Mr Cook, asking that his vote in favour of Mr Petrie’s motion be recorded, be read. The president said he would not allow this vote. Dr. Brown was also refused permission to vote, because he was not a properly appointed delegate. The chairman then gave his casting vote against the motion.

Mr Petrie: This is ridiculous. Two men have recorded votes for my motion and their votes have been disallowed. The president: I can’t allow a man to vote by letter, and Dr. Brown is not a delegate

Mr Tapley: Are you going to refuse Dr. Brown permission to vote ? The chairman: Yes. Mr Tapley: Then I would like to point out that this meeting is informal, as ther is no quorum without Dr. Brown. Amid a scene of general confusion the president declared the meeting informal. “It is a pity,” he said to the Tinies representative, “that all your work goes for nothing.” The members then drifted off in pairs, still wrangling and arguing.