CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1926, Page 4

CRICKET.

THE RAWER A CLUB. " 5 MEMBERS’ ANNUAL MEETING. , (From Our Own. Reporter.) Hawera, Sept. 3. The annual meeting of the Hawera Cricket Club was held to-night. Mr. 6. McCarthy presided, and there was a good attendance of members. Apologies were received from the Rev. Monaghan, Messrs C. Allan and G. H. Buekeridge. The annual report stated, inter alia: The club, following its usual custom, divided its «trength and . entered two teams in the senior competition, and we are pleased to record that the Excelsior team finished up second in the championship of South Taranaki, -being defeated by Stratford in the final playoff. The second team, Midland, improved greatly towards the end of the season and was mainly responsible for the interesting finish of the competition by defeating two of the leading teams in the last round. In the junior competition, one team only was placed, and it succeeded in winning the junior championship shield, which is now held by the Hawera club for the third time. The elub will commence the new season with, a credit balance of £l6 Ss* 9d, and the elub is to be heartily congratulated on this account. This was mainly brought about as the result of a concert whieh the club held at the beginning of the season, and in this respect the thanks of the club are due to St. Mary’s for the free use of their hall, and to the many performers who so kindly offered their services. Outstanding subscriptions amount to £2 Ss, and it is hoped to collect the whole of this amount. The asphalt practice wicket laid down has proved a great success, and more than warranted the expense incurred. During the last couple of months, a lorry load of papa was procured and spread over a limited area with a view to improving the match wickets, and this experiment will be watched with interest.

Congratulations are extended to Stan. Lay, one of the club members, on being selected to represent New Zealand at the Australasian championships held at Brisbane recently, and on his meritorious performance of establishing a further Australasian record at javelin throwing. In conclusion, the sincere thanks of the club are extended to the Brees for the great assistance given the club in particular and cricket in general, in the advertising of teams, arid the very full and interesting reports of matches. Prospects for the coming season seem very bright. The president eaid the elub owed a debt of gratitude to the Hawera Borough Council and its officers for the excellent manner in whieh the outfield was looked after last season. Also for the manner in whieh the council had assisted the elub in every possible way. The elub understood the council contemplated further improvements to the playing area, and would watch this with no little interest. Tlie club appreciated the council’s assistance in connection with the laying down of the practice wicket last season, and was raising funds and expected to get sufficient to purchase a water ballast roller. By thia means it was anticipated that the Hawera Cricket Club will be able to secure wickets second to none in Taranaki. Hawera would then be entitled to more representative fixtures than it had been in the past. Tn discussing the report the chairman said the dressing of "the wicket would go a long way to raise the standard of cricket in Taranaki. He also commented on the generous assistance of the Borough Council,. especially that of Councillor Townsend, of the reserves committee. The report was adopted.

The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. B. McCarthy; vice-presidents, Messrs E. A. Paeey (the Mayor), E. M. Beeohey, E. Dixon, L. A. Bone, H. S. Elliott, J. N. Syn\e Jun., and Dr. Young; chib captain, W. G. Walkley; secretary, Mr. W. Bigham; assistant secretary, Mr. Beauchamp; executive committee, Messrs T. Giblin, G. Mahoney, L. A. Taylor, S. Lay, E. Galvin and Mr. Crombie; hon. auditor, Mr. R. Tait; delegates to the association, Messrs J. Neilsen and W. G. Walkley; conference committee, Mr. L. A. Taylor, Rev. H. W. Monaghan, Messrs Vinnicombe and Crombie; selection committee, Messrs W. G. Walkley, G. Mahoney and Crombie. The subscription was fixed at the same amount as last year.

■The opening, day was fixed for September 25.

A recommendation was made to the selection committee to select three senior teams if possible. A motion was carried that the chib favoured two day matches for senior elubs. The selection committee was instructed to inspect the new playing area immediately and take what action they thought fit in connection with the laying down of new wickets. Votes of thanks to the- chair aud to the Borough Council for the use of the room concluded the meeting.