A BOMBSHELL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 146, 27 July 1914, Page 9

A BOMBSHELL.

CRICKET MANAGEMENT RETIRES ATTEMPTS AT RECONCILIATION. The quarterly meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council "was held on Saturday evening, when Mr H. C. Bidley occupied the chair. There were present: Messrs C. Wylde-Brown (Auckland), A. T. Donnelly (South Auckland), 3J. Vincent (Poverty Bay), A. W. Hardy (North Taranaki), J. H. Williamß (Wairarapa), C. R. Clark (Canterbury), E. J. Austin (Nelson), F. E. Brittain (Otago), J. F. Peake (Otago), J. S. Barrett (Manawatu), J. Fanning (Wellington), arid D. Reese (Canterbury). Apologies were received from the Hen. E. C. J. Stevens, Messrs S. A. Orchard, F. Wilding, 0, G. Wilson, G. F. Francis, F. H. Labatt, and Dr Orchard. Mr Raphael (hon. secretary) reported on the work of the last quarter. In accordance with the unanimous resolution passed at the last quarterly meeting of the council, the committee replied to the letters from the Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago Associations in connection with the balance-sheet of the New Zealand team 's visit to Australia.

An invitation was forwarded to the South Australian Cricket Association, to send a team to New Zealand next season, but the South Australian Cricket Association could not accept the invitation of the council, owing to some of their best players accompanying the Australian team to South Africa.

The four principal associations were communicated with, and asked whether they would allow the Suva Cricket Club 65 per cent, of the net proceeds of each match played. They have all replied stating that they would accept a match under these conditions.

A cheque was received from the secretary of the Melbourne Cricket Club for £l/5 13/-, being a refund of 10 per cent, of the gross takings on £156 10/6 re the match Victoria v. New Zealand, played on the Melbourne Ground on January 21 and 22, 1914. This amount will be refunded to the Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago Associations, and the council, in accordance with the previous resolution on the subject. The Otago Association forwarded a resolution to the effect that no allowance should be made to players taking part in tests or other matches under the New Zealand Cricket Council 's control, unless the various associations are advised. This is not to preclude the allowances to players for loss of wages.

The trustees of the Eden Park Cricket Ground forwarded a cheque for £29 11/6, being two-fifths of the amount of loss sustained by the council in connection with the final test match, Mr Sims's Australian Team v. New Zealand, played in Auckland. With regard to inviting an interState team from Australia to visit New Zealand next season, letters were forwarded to the Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago Associations, asking if a good inter-State team from Australia was secured, they would be prepared to guarantee a sum of £l5O each for a match. RETIRE FROM OFFICE.

"The Management Committee and the honorary treasurer have decided to retire from office," continued the secretary, "and they will not seek re-elec-tion at the next annual general meeting of the council, and under these circumstances I exceedingly regrSt to siate that I cannot continue my position as honorary secretary to the council, and must most reluctantly ask you to arrange for some gentleman to take up the position.

"It will therefore be advisable that the delegates should, between this and the next annual general meeting consider the question of suitable delegates to take the place of the retiring committee, secretary, and treasurer, so that consent of nominees who stand for election may be obtained before the annual meeting in October."

The chairman .said he was very sorry to hear the decision of the executive. Apparently cricket in New Zealand was in the melting pot. It was sran-ely fitting for the committee that was going out of ollice to make arrangements for next year's cricket. .1 i v,as very possible that it would be diflieult to 'find an executive. It was a hard task to find a set of men who would have the time and qualifications to offer themselves to control cricket in New Zealand. Mr Clark said that Christchureh owed it to the other centres to get the very '"best men offering. At the annual meeting, lie thought, there would l»e men who would take up the work and cany it on. 1IA1) BKION CRITICISED. Mr Fanning, as the representative

of Wellington, said that although Lis body had criticised the executive they gave them all credit/, and would be sorry to see them take any umbrage. He hoped that the executive would no*, think of resigning for the reason that they had been criticised. Any criticism had not been levelled against the council as members, but rather to help the game of cricket in New Zealand. Wellington did not always agree with the | executive, but he hoped that they would not resign, as their work was greatly appreciated. ! Mr Bidley raised the question of dis- > eussion, because the resignation of the I executive was such an unprecedented matter. Mr Barrett said that although the Management Committee had been severely criticised, there never was any personal criticism of Mr work. Such an unprecedented resignation would seriously upset cricket affairs. He moved: '' That this meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council considers that no action of the delegates in the past could be construed to be in the natufe of want of confidence in the Management Committee, and that the Management Committee be requested to consider the question of their resignation in a body, and that the services of any member of the present Management Committee who can spare the time should be retained by the council, and this council knows that the Management Committee will, during the remainder of its term of office, loyally carry out its duties." Mr Wyfde-Brown seconded the resolution moved by Mr Barrett. J Mr R. Vincent said that he must con- j fess that unjustified criticism had been cast at the executive, criticism that, however, justified their action in resigning in a body.

Mr Donnelly said that although he was a member of the Management Committee, he must say that to his mind such a motion was quite out of order. No committee had a pre-emptive right to reelection.

Mr Barrett then withdrew his motion FINANCIAL MATTERS.

The Canterbury Cricket Association wrote saying that they were prepared to give the touring team from Suva 65 per cent, of the net profits of the Christchurch match. They would also guarantee the sum of £l5O towards the tour of the Australian inter-State team contingent upon the personnel of the team and dates allotted for the match being considered satisfactory to the association's committee.

The Otago Association said that it could not guarantee the £l5O, but would be pleased to give a liberal percentage of the gate. They would accept a match with the Fijian team on the terms proposed, 65 per cent, of the net profits. The Wellington Association considered the guarantee asked too much and offered £75 or 65 per cent, of the profits, whichever was preferable to the council. They would be pleased to give 65 per cent, of the profits to the Fijian team.

The Auckland Association said it was not in a position to guarantee £l5O for the match with the inter-State team, but on condition that it did not visit New Zealand they would help the Fijian tour, and give 65 per cent, of the profits.

Mr Reese moved as a recommendation that the Management Committee should enter into arrangements with Queensland. A Queensland team had not visited New Zealand since 1896, and it seemed that a team from this State would be an admirable one to bring over. The terms should be either the payment of the actual expenses of the team or 75 per cent, of the net profits, whichever was the greater Mr Clark suggested that the net profit system should govern the negotiations. Mr Fanning supported Mr Reese's motion. It was, he thought, very opportune, especially as there wouid be no English team in Australia to hamper that State. This motion was carried. THE FIJI TEAM.

Mr Brittain said that next season the management should be satisfied with the visit of a Fijian team. They should not invite teams from Australia in the circumstances in which they were placed. They were bankrupt, and had it been an ordinary business which the Management Committee had been running it would have found itself in sorious trouble with the official assignee.

The Hoard of Control t Australia ) wrote notifying that at a meeting held on .Inly -0 it was ■ resoived: '' That the .New Zealand Cricket Council be approached with the \ iew of a satisfactory arrangement being arrived at between the Board of Control and the council regaiding the future visits of teams to or from New Zealand.'' Air .Harrett moved and Mr .Donnelly seconded that this suggestion .should be approved. This was carried. Mr Raphael ;-aid that he would, though retiring, help the new lion, secretary with the work of the council. During the 15 years he had occupied the position he had made it his hobby and he would still be pleased to help in the work if a »ew secretary were found. (Applause.)