NELSON CRICKET ASSOCIATION

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8366, 30 September 1895, Page 2

NELSON CRICKET ASSOCIATION

The annual general meeting ef the above A«sooiation was held at the Commercial Hotel on Satarday, when there were present : Dr. Pearless (in the ohair), Messrs Broad (College), Poole, Clayden (Atbletics), T JGibson, Stiles (United), S. Levien, E. Trask (Nelson), J. Prioe, Holland (Belgrove), Baigent, Hunt (Wakefield). The Wanderers,' Riohmond and Wakapuaka Clubs were unrepresented. The minutes Were confirmed, sadMtiP. Topliss submitted Jthe annual report of the season's work. The balance sheet showed tbat tbe affairs of tbe Association had been oonducted in a j adicious manner. There was a balanoe : to credit. The eleot'on of officers was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows :—Pr aident, Dr. Pearless (re-eleoted); Vice Presidents, Messrs A. S. Atkinson, John Sharp,' W. 8. Littlejohn, F. Trask, EL Calders (re-elected), and John Graham, M.H.R. Wben the election of Seoretary name on, Mr ToplißS, who bas oooapied that responsible post with oredit to a'i for a long period, siid he had made ap his cawd three months ago to retire He eaid he bM been asaoei,-

I^w*^—^— t -e_w_-_-_— -M-—--HIII i im ■■■■ ni.— ated with crioket praotioally all his life, and had been oonnected witb tbe management and organisation of the Association Bince its formation in 1675. It had only been his intense love for tbe welfare of tbe game tbat bad urged him to keep on. He, however, felt tbat the time had now arrived for bim lo retire. Bsing pressed to again eocept offioe, Mr Topliss said tbat if it was their unanimous desire be would continue on for another yf ar. Tbey hed en important fixture before them in the New Soutb Wales matoh, and be would like to Bee tbe arrangements carried oot in a proper manner. Mr Topliss was tben re-eleoted Seoretary amidst obeers. Tbe eleotion of Dr Pearless as President, was also welcomed with a rouud of applause. Auditor, Mr W. R Walker; Executive Oommittee, Messrs Broad (College), Clayden (Atfaletioj 8. Levien (Nelson). Stiles (United), Holland (Belgrove), and Dr Pearless (Wakefield) A letter was reoeived from the Seoretary of tbe Oolden Bay Association asking for a return matoh at some convenient date. Tbe letter was referred to tbe Executive Committee. It wbb resolved tbat entries for Championship matohes olose not later than 7.30 p.m at tbe Oommeroial Hotel on Ootober I2tb. Notioes of motion were then reoeived. Tbe •one standing in Dr Pearless' name, allowing •delegates to be represented by proxy, was •oarried, and tbat of Mr Topliss* was altered to read tbat tbe selection of two gentlemen to aot as selectors of representative teams be obpsen at tbe annual general meeting of the AsßOoiation, together witb an umphe in the event of dispute. Dr Pearlees and Mr C. Broad, with Mr Topliss aB Umpire, were then unanimously chosen to fill the important positions. Mr R. W. Stiles' notiae of motion wbich appeared in h aturdaj'd issu^, was then read to the meetiog. It . waß argued that sufficient notice had not been given to delegate*], and the legality Of dealing witb tbe motion tbat eve ing was questioned. A vote was taken, and it was resolved ta prooeed with it. Mr Stiles explained that the objeot of the motion was to. give effeot, if possible, to a growing deßire on iho part of a large propor§ i tlon of orloketers to have an altered Bystem of < Championship matches, by which clubs I would not be bound down to crioket upon •very holiday. It was thought that the suggested alteration wonld possibly be the bent method 6f satisfactorily solving the diffiou.ty. If the present system was retained, it would probably be found tbat with the addition of several extra olubs that had been mentioned, the number of holidays would not suffice for the number of matohes. The s;st°m in vogue at present had proved unsatiefac nry In many respeots last season, and club--, in going into tbe country, were unable t > have a proper teßt of strength though plaje s re- . fusing to go upon holidays He thought that where three olubs complained of a hardship the oonntry clubs Bhould endeavor ' to meet tbem half-way in the matter. Under ' tbe suggested system, olubs would have quite as many matohes, and they oould Btill take } advantage of spare holidays for crioket if \ desirous. ' Dr Pearless said it praotioally meant the : breaking up of the AsßOoiation if the motion j was oarried. He believed eaoh Olub Bhould meet every Olub at least once during tbe . ■eason, and he was sure a majority of the Oonntry Olubs would drop out of tbe I Association if they altered the present system. He Baw no reason for complaint. , Mr 0. Qibßon supported tbe proposals holding tbat it would be best for both parties. . No other Association in tbe Oolony compelled Clubs to play upon holidays, and travel tbe distanoe to matohes that they had to. Messrß Poole, Clayden and S Levien argued in favor of the motion, and Messrs Holland, Baigent and A. Prioe against. > > It was thought that it would not be fair to ' settle tbe question that night by several : delegates, owing to some of the Clubs being 1 unrepresented. Mr Stiles eaid be was prepared to allow '■ the motion to stand over to allow the Wan- ] derers, Bichmond and Wakapuaka delegates i to be present. J i Mr Poole then proposed the adjournment . i of the meetiog until the 12th Ootober at tbe 1 1 Oommeroial Hotel. 1 This was oarried, and the meetiog ad- < journed with a yota of thanks to tba Chairman. Tbe meeting was the 'smallest yet held by tbe Association, but the discussion at times : was very brisk.