CRICKET AT STRATFORD

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1930, Page 8

CRICKET AT STRATFORD

PREPARING FOR NEW SEASON. ANNUAL MEETING OF CLUB. With a balance-sheet disclosing a credit of £7 6s 3d and with encouraging prospects for the coming season there was a distinct feeling of optimism at the annual meeting of members of the Stratford Cricket Club last night. Mr. U. Mcl. Young presided and the attendance could be considered good. The annual report stated that the financial position as compared with last year was riot quite so good as it would seem from the credit balance, which was down 16s 3d. They started the season with material to the estimated value of £3O 10s and finished with material estimated at £2O 2s 6d, notwithstanding the fact that material to the value of £l2 12s 6d was purchased during the season. This might seem extraordinary, but might be to a certain extent explained by the fact that the club had three teams in action for part of the season and two for the whole of it, and a great of the expenditure was for balls. There was one part of the financial- situation which demanded the seriout consideration of the members of the club, and that was the item “subscriptions £9 outstanding.” Of 33 players during the season only 12 had paid subscriptions, mostly seniors, cue or two juniors, and only one Thursday competitions member. This being the position it must be evident that some definite stand must be taken on the subpect, as no club could exist without the wholehearted financial support of its members. The senior Saturday team finished equal fourth in the competition, and although it lost more matches than it won the games W’ere played in a sporting spirit and were thoroughly enjoyed. Hawera Old Boys were to be congratulated on winning the shield for the second time in succession. The club’s team in the Thursday competition gave a good account of itself, though not successful. The junior .competition was carried on till Christmas but not after the New Year. It was to be hoped that it would be arranged for and carried on throughout the coming season. There was every prospect of doing so, as several teams new to the competition had intimated their intention of joining. The prospects for the coming season were therefore bright. It was to be deplored that the financial position of the club was not better, said Mr. Young. The material had not been looked after as it should have been as the season had been commenced with & comprehensive stock of equipment in good order but an extra £l2 worth had had to be purchased and there was still a big discrepancy between the amounting of material possessed by the club at the beginning and at the end of the season. Much of the material the club did have would have to be replaced. There was something radically wrong when only one man of the eleven in one of the teams had paid his subscription. There was a notable absence of that loyal spirit to the club that should be in evidence. Apart from those matters a fairly successful season had

been experienced and it was a matter for congratulation that despite the poor support of members the balance-sheet showed a credit. The election of officers resulted: — Patron, Mr. E. Walter; president, Mr. W. Brown; nine vice-presidents; executive, Messrs. C. Massey, C. Gatton, R. Lj Hancock, L. B. Sandford, G. Irving and C. Mcl. Young; secretary, V. J. Henderson; treasurer, Mr. G. Irving; auditor, Mr. P. Skoglund; captain, Mr. R. L. Hancock; delegates to South Taranaki Association, Messrs. Massey and Young; selectors, Messrs. Hancock and Henderson. For. the senior team subscriptions were fixed at £1 10s for senior player's and 15s for those under 20. Eight new members were elected. For the present it was decided not to enter a team in the Thursday competition, but in the event of the arrears in subscriptions being paid and sufficient inducement beng offered the committee would give the question further consideration. Senior and junior teams will be entered : in the Saturday competition. The decision of the-Stratford Domain Board to put down a turf pitch in Victoria Park this year instead of the asphalt pitch provided last year met with disapproval, members being of the opinion that a turf pitch made now could not possibly be put in playing order in time for the season. Inquiries will therefore be made in an endeavour to ascertain the exact intention of the j board.