MODESTY’S REWARD

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1931, Page 3

MODESTY’S REWARD

NEW ZEALAND CRICKET. COUNCIL’S VIEW OF TOUR. Various -aspects of the New Zealand cricket team’s tour were discussed at a meeting of the New Zealand Council in Christchurch, and reports were received by cablegram from England setting out the financial position of the tour, and expressing the team’s appreciation of the message of good wishes received from New Zealand. The council also received messages of congratulation upon the team’s success, one being from the M.C.C., ano another from Mr. H. D. Swan, the New Zealand representative in England. Referring to the performances of the team on tour, the president (Mr. D. Reese) stated that a remarkable wave of enthusiasm was sweeping through the country at present, comparable with the time of the tour of the AU Blacks in 1905. Cricket in New Zealand had been lifted to a level never previously „ attained. He was rather glad that New Zealand had been modest in its claims concerning the standard of-cricket in the Dominion. After the first tour some people had accused the-authorities of being too modest in arranging an itinerary which had not included- many of the first-<;lass counties. This time the tour arranged had included, most of those counties, and the offer of one Test match had been accepted. The fact that as a result,, of their good play the English authorities had offered two extra Tests was sufficient to justify the course taken, and to show the standard attained, said Mr. Reese;i The team had maintained that high’ -standard from week to week. In-.some quarters there was a tendency" to ask why further Tests should be played in view of the satisfactory result of the first Test. That was not the spirit in which the game was played -in the Dominion. New Zealand did not claim to be equal with England in cricket, and it Was no disgrace to be beaten, or even thrashed, by an English team. An additional point was that the two extra Tests would help to give a full return to those who had helped in providing y the funds for the tour. The whole of the team was included in the tribute paid, fbr a(l the members had contributed to its high success. /, / The acting-chairman (Mr. E. Caygill) mentioned that the teamis form bad been better than some people had expected; in fact, it had been intensely . gratifying. There was always the poss - ; bility, however, of a slump in play being experienced. This was part of the game, and if it came, he was sure that every- . one would take the result in the best of spirit. Thus far the team had done a wonderful amount of good for the game in New Zealand. With regard to the management of the team, the appointments of a captain-manager and a player-treasurer had had most happy results, a.s far as could be seen, and it seemed that the decision not to send an extra p(ayer had been justified. Some men who were quite capable and in fair form were hot getting, perhaps, as many games as they might wish. Provided there were no serious accidents, it seemed that there would be enough men in the team. Unfortunately, the weather seemed to have been very unsuitable* and that had interfered with gate takings. That, however, was not the main point of the tour, but it was a consideration. In any case, the financial position was reassuring. It looked as if the tour itself would be a financial success. As "far as the financing of the tour was concerned, the art union had terminated satisfactorily to the council. It bad been run in conjunction with the Football Association,'and had resulted in a return of £25,750, with a net profit of £13,400, of which £6700 had been the council’s share; £4OOO had been lent to New Zealand Cricket, Ltd., £2OOO had been placed on fixed deposit, and £5OO had been placed at call. The art union had -made possible the financing of the tour. The council felt that it was a wonderful position financially compared with six months before the tour. It was very grateful to the M.C.C. for financial assistance given in view of the depression and the earthquake. The play of the team in England had given a great deal of satisfaction to all supporters of the game, though the weather had been somewhat disappointing, and might affect the returns. The tour had justified itself, and had given a great deal of help to the game in New Zealand. A cablegram from Mr. A. T. .Donnelly indicated that the total was approximately £4000; £6OOO should certainly be taken; probably £BOOO, depending”; on the .Tests. Consequently, continued Mr. Caygill,\the council was hopeful of splendid results from the forthcoming Tests and county matches. In any case, the position was very reassuring. If not one shilling over the guaranteed gates was received the council must be over £5OOO ahead, allowing for the art union funds. The council had reason to feel gratified with, the results, and looked forward to the tour itself being / a financial success.

Mr. D. E. Wanklyn said New Zealand’s net share on the last Test had been £2OOO. He thought Mr. Donnelly was conservative in his estimate. The total guaranteed gates amounted to over £3OOO.

In reply to a question, Mr. Reese said that, taking into consideration the art union money and what was in hand at the moment as a result of the tour, the council was sure df a balance of £5OOO.