AUCKLAND CRICKET AUTHORITIES GETTING READY FOR NEW SEASON

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 121, 12 August 1927, Page 10

AUCKLAND CRICKET AUTHORITIES GETTING READY FOR NEW SEASON

GROUNDS QUESTION DISCUSSED WITH CITY COUNCIL \nr> METHOD OF ELECTING EXECUTIVE ADVOCATED ‘

Judging by the activity that is being displayed by the Auckland cricket authorities, the two controlling bodies do not intend to let the grass grow under their feet during the off-season. As a strict matter of fact, this has generally been the trouble in past seasons—too much grass has been allowed to grow; playing areas have not been ready in time; and the season as a whole delayed by a good month or so. Last year, top-dressing at Eden Park at the end of a strenuous Rugby season held the competition up during several weeks of fine weather, but apart from this necessary work, many of the junior wickets were not ready, and a sub-committee was bunting all round the city and its environs to try and get grounds in order. There is a promise of something better next season. For one thing, the cricket authorities have been getting a most sympathetic hearing from the Reserves Committee of the City Council; and if Cr. Brinsden, the energetic chairman of the Reserves Committee, can bring his fellow councillors to his way of thinking, there should be less room for complaint than has formerly been the case. COUNCIL’S POSITION It must be said for the City Council, however, that it has had to grapple with a very big problem in being called on to provide so many additional playing areas. Sports activities in recent years have enlarged in much the same ratio as the rapid increase in Auckland’s population, and the council has had to shoulder the brunt of the burden. There is surely a strong argument for a Greater Auckland scheme of municipal government in the statement of the council: “We’ve been doing our share; other local bodies have not; and that’s why there is such a shortage of playing anias.” Apart from this wider aspect of the question, the council has already signified its intention of making better provision for playing areas in the near future, and of getting municipally-con-trolled sports areas into better shape for playing on when the season starts. In this connection, the suggestion that the aid of that experienced cricket

i'r%va e nted hlmSe ' f ' Mr ‘ MUls kDOWs "hat Auckland Cricket Association Ih* Auckland Suburban Cricket the tion are both puUin ß together important question. Representative l both bodies recently met in eonfe/e ° with representatives of the ' Committee, and a uniform outlined. * Wa s ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE Apart from grounds, the And. . Cricket Association has be?* iSokW into the question of representation!® the Management Committee itra the present system, this body i s ® posed of direct representatives of Si clubs. Mr. A. C. Sneddon has notice to move that the " n method be altered, so that agement Committee may be the delegates at the annual meeting The suggestion is one that”«S*.. the full consideration of the other sports, it has been found (hS the election of the executive bv delegates to the annual meeting S' given better results than the older s« tern. Where direct representation Dr e'. V& k S ’a the r e V , ai "’ ays a tendency t 0 subordinate club interests to the ... eral welfare of the game. Se " If memory serves aright. Wellington Christchurch and Dunedin all ii2, their executives at the annual me« mg The biggest argument against i, is that under this method it wouM £ possible for a club to be without dimrepresentation. But the prospect! not so alarming as it looks. Under tt! new method that is being advocate there is the advantage of getting ,? e best men tor the position, of what club they represent. Bv that there is more chance of the game goinr ahead than under a system where e«h delegate is more concerned with trvinr to gain some advantage for his W; particular club than in furthering broad interests of the game. It is tn be hoped that Mr. Snedden’s surge, tion will have the serious conside”! tion of ail clubs affiliated to the A.CA J- M. McK.