CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1924, Page 3

CRICKET.

THE GAME IN TARANAKI. THE NOBTH ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the North Taranaki Cricket Association was held last, night. Mr. E. Whittle (president of the association) occupied the chair, and there were also present: Mr. T. H. Bates (vice-president) and the following delegates—Messrs. C. E. Bottrlll, W. Alexander and J. D. Mackay (High School), R. L. Machu, G. E. Dinniss, H. R. Wright (Western Park), G. H. Saunders, —. Jones and P. E. Stainton (New Plymouth), A. Osborne, C. Lash and Moorhead (Old Boys), G. V. Mathews (Borough Council), and F. C. Ferry (actihg secretary). Apologies were received frotn several delegates, including those of the Country Association. The balance-sheet showed that, there were liabilities of £2O 8s 6'd, with cash in hand £4 10s, leaving a debit balance of £l5 18s 6d In moving the adoption of the report (already published) and oalance-sheet. the chairman said that after taking everything into consideration the association wag to be congratulated on its position. They wound up the season with a debit of £2O, bul in view of the losses over the representative matches this was satisfactory. He regretted that cricket had not advanced generally throughout the Dominion as he would have liked to have seen it. In fact, the matches played against visiting teams had rather shown the reverse. Thia was probably due to various reasons, though locally he thought there had been an advancement. The want of suitable playing areas was largely responsible for the lack of advancement, whilst what was also needed was the appointment of coaches. If they had a good coach in Taranaki, the game would advance very greatly. He referred to the great attraction of other summer sports, viz., bowling, tennis, and swimming, and these were making it more difficult for cricket to carry on. It therefore behoved cricketers to be more united than ever. In the past, as far as this district was concerned, the management had fallen on the shoulders of a few live enthusiasts, and he urged the younger men to take more Interest. The association, he said, was very much Indebted to the Sportsground Committee for their generosity, and also to the High School for the use of their grounds. He considered that cricket had shown an advancement at the High School, where they had the best ground in the competition. Several of the boys had gained representative honours. He considered that the position for the future looked bright. This season they would have available another ground at Tukapa, which, from its elevated position and splendid light, could be very easily made equal to any ground in the Dominion. It therefore required concerted efforts by all cricketers to malfe that ground what it should be.

He referred to the loss that cricket had sustained through the departure of the Rev. W. J. Elliott, whose work in connection with the Umpires’ Association had been Invaluable. The prospects for the coming season he considered good. The representative matches played last year had been a great incentive to the game. He then moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. This was seconded by Mr. C. E. Bott rill and carried unanimously without discussion. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were elected ag follows: President, Mr. E. Whittle (re-elected) ; vice-presidents, [Messrs. T. H. Bates, W. H. Moyes, Dr. E. F. | Fookes, and the Rev. W. J. Elliott; hon. secretary, Mr. W. Hughes: hon. treasurer, Mr. C. O. Berg; management committee, delegates to he appointed by each senior club and one by the Umpires’ Association; delegate to New Zealand Cricket Council, Mr. G. T. Weston; auditor. Mr. E. Lash; selection committee, to b: elected by the management committee; delegates to Sportsground Committee, Messrs. F. C. Ferry and T. H. Bates. Votes of thanks' were accorded Messrs. H. J. Grayson and G. E. Dinniss, the retiring secretary and treasurer respectively. TUKAPA SPORTSGROUND. Messrs. W. H. Moyes. W. C. Weston and P. E Stainton, representing the directors of the Tukapa Resorts, Ltd., enlisted the practical cn-operation of cricketers m connection with the Tukapa ground. They explained the steps that had been taken by the members of the company, mostly old cricketers, to prevent the reserve being taken away from the townspeople. They had raised money on the uncalled capital of shares paid up to 15s, and had lot of money on the ground, which would provide cricketers with four match wickets in a situation that could net be beeten in New Zealand. It now behoved active cricketers to take an interest In the ground. To relieve the ground nf liability It would be necessary to have 400 more shares taken up. on which 15s would he called up. They pointed out that the ground would shortly be revenue producing. So far they had not received any borough subsidy, but they were hopeful that this would he forthcoming when the new estimates were being framed. The chairman thanked the delegation for putting the position before the association. He agreed that the proposal required the hearty co-operation of every cricketer, and he suggested that the meeting should set up a committee to meet the directors of the Tukapn Resorts. Ltd. and formulate a scheme for securing subscribers. On the motion of the chairman and Mr. C. E Bottrlll it was resolved that the management committee confer with the Tukapa Resorts directors. GENERAL. Mr. C. E. Bottrlll, one of the deputation that waited on the Sportsground Committee in connection with arranging terms for the use of the sportsground, explained what had been done (as already published). Members considered the arrangement should effect an Improvement, and on the motion of Messrs. Stainton and Weston the delegates were accorded a hearty vote nf thanks. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. F. C. Ferry for the work that he had done on the ground during last season on behalf of the cricketers. The opening day was left vo the management committee, a suggestion being made that it should not be later than the third Saturday in October. The chairman referred to the fact that the competition cups should be handed fn at the annual meeting. Mr. Stainton favoured holding a function at the close of the season, when the trophies could he presented tn the winners. Mr. G. E. Dinniss considered that, some of the old players should take an interest in school cricket and attend the mutches. Ho moved as a recommendation that a delegate from the primary schools be appointed to the management committee. This was seconded by Mr. H. K. Wright and carried. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Press.