WYNDHAM NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 21821, 26 September 1932, Page 9

WYNDHAM NEWS

CRICKET CLUB’S ANNUAL

MEETING.

(From Our Correspondent.)

The annual meeting of the Wyndham Cricket Club was held in the Oddfellows Hall on Thursday evening, Mr G. J. C. Smart, president, presiding over a large attendance of members. The following report and balance-sheet was submitted by the secretary. It is with pleasure that your committee have the opportunity of presenting to members a very happy report of the past season’s cricketing. Although not strong in numbers, the members of the club entered wholeheartedly into the sport, with the result that a season of very good games was played on your grounds. The competitions for the Eastern District Championships were a large factor in maintaining the club’s interest; and although your team was by no means successful in winning the coveted honour of champions, they gave a very creditable display of their powers. Outside the cricketing competitions, the friendly games were a means of creating a fine cricketing spirit in general, and of educational value from a cricketing point of view. We refer to the match played with Southland Boys High School and the Eastern B representatives. Other matches played outside the competition were with Celtic, Gore, Marists, and for the fun and recreation, the home and home encounters with our kindred sportsmen, “The Golfers.” Your committee desire to express their appreciation of the generosity extended to us by the recreation Reserve Trust, in assisting to place the cricketing area in such a fine state, that it has been acclaimed by all visiting teams that it is the best ground in the Eastern District. This report would be incomplete without reference to the generous assistance by the lady supporters, in entertaining visitors and players alike, with an acknowledged hospitality to afternoon tea.

The balance-sheet as presented is quite a good one, showing a credit balance to carry forward to start the new season, they having absolutely no liabilities, a very happy state of affairs considering the hard times in the financial world.

The balance-sheet showed a cash credit balance of £2 1/9, while the assets amounted to £lO 16/9 with no liabilities. The president, in moving the adoption of the documents, said the season had been a very successful one from all points of view. The committee had worked excellently and the club was again on a sound foundation, the prospects for the coming year being bright. The Eastern District Competition had proved quite a success during the past year and apparently it was now a recognized body. However, there was one matter that he thought should be strongly urged and that was the cutting up of the district into two sections. The travelling away up into the top end of the competition area was a difficulty that the local club had been faced with, and the speaker contended that the district' should be cut into two sections, East and West, the former taking in from Gore South and west the remainder of the district. The leading teams of the two sections could then play off for the premiership of the district. However, it was a matter to be decided by the Centre Executive, but was a point that should be put forth. He also considered that an Eastern District first eleven should be selected to meet North and South Otago at Gore and a second eleven against the leading Invercargill team at Wyndham. In conclusion he thanked the committee and members for their kind co-operation during the year and trusted that the same would be forthcoming in the ensuing year. The adoption was seconded by Mr R. Robertson and carried. „ 4, Election of officers: Patron, Mr C. E. Davey; president, Mr G. J. C. Smart; vice-presidents, Messrs R. G. Carson, H. Hunter, W. J. Marsh, H. J. Murphy, L. Harper; committee, Messrs R. Robertson, V. Milne, O. Traynor, G. Johnstone, K. Traynor; secretary and treasurer, Mr H. W. Heath; delegate to Eastern District Centre, Messrs G. J. C. Smart and R. Robertson; club and field captain, Mr R. Robertson; auditor, Mr P. B. Barnett; executive committee, captain, secretary and president; deputy captain, Mr O. Traynor; selection committee, captain, deputy-captain and On the motion of Messrs Heath and Melbum it was resolved that the delegates to the Eastern District Cricket Association, strongly urge that the competition be cut up into two sections, East and West. It was resolved to hold opening day on October 5 and that the subscriptions be fixed at 10/- for seniors, 5/for juniors, and 2/6 for honorary members. It was resolved after discussion that Mondays and Fridays be practice nights. The chairman introduced the question of fostering school cricket. He thought the headmaster should be interviewed and asked to select 15 or 18 boys to practice on certain nights during the week, under the control of club members. If they did not commence with the boys they would soon have no cricket club. Boyhood was the time to impart cricket knowledge, and while it was assisting the boys, it was a direct asset to the club. Mr Robertson said they had to look to the juniors to make the seniors, and the endeavour to interest the boys was a capital suggestion. There were several boys at the local school who had the making of cricketers, and they should be fostered. After discussion the matter was left in the hands of Mr Robertson to interview the headmaster. On the motion of Messrs Heath and Traynor, Mr G. J. C. Smart was elected a life member of the club. Votes of thanks to the ladies for providing refreshment, and to all those who in any way assisted the club, terminated a most enthusiastic meeting, at the conclusion of which a social hour was held.