CRICKET.

Observer, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6, 16 October 1915, Page 10

CRICKET.

The majority of the clubs indulged in practice last Saturday, and had fair musters. The weather was very favourable.

It is still too early to guage the strength of the various clubs. One pleasing feature promised is that many of the younger players will this season be given a long looked for promotion.

The annual meeting of the Auckland' Cricket Association was held,' in tlie Chamber of Commerce. The president (Mr F. Eairl) occupied the chair. Tlie meeting was thoroughly representative of all clubs' delegates. The report and balance-sheet displayed financial progress. Although operations opened with a debit balance of £259 19s 7d, the season's work enabled this to, be reduced to £175 5s 9d!. All competitions were successfully carried on, notwithstanding the difficulties arising through the war.

Cricketers have responded well to the call to arms, 75 per cent, having enlisted.

The clubs suffering tlie greatest losses through enlistments are Waitemata, Ponsonby and University. The former will probably find it necessary to disband their senior eleven.

The election of officers resulted as follows: —Patron, Mr H. Brett; vicepatron, Mr V. Rice; president, Mr F. Earl, vice-presidents, Messrs C.

H. McKinney, A. N. Sneddien, G. T. Bailey; vice-president, New Zealand Council, Mr F. Earl; delegates to New Zealand Council (appointment deferred to incoming committee) ; hon. secretary, Mr J. H. Watts; hon. treasurer, Mr Carlton Hay; hon. auditors, Messrs P. R. Fraser and W. E. Bush; management committee, Messrs D. Hay, A. M. Howden, R. B. Lusk, E. C. Beale, W. McMath, P. M. Melville and G. W. D. Mulgan.

The Ponsonby Club tabled the followdng notice of motion:—"That, with the consent of the management committee, a district club may be permitted to play any person residing in another district who has not played for the district in which he resides during the previous season, or, if the said district has not a team playing in the grade in which he desires to play." An amendment, "That during the season 1915-16 the managing committee have power to suspend, alter or vary such of the rules of the association as the said committee may deem desirable," Was, after a short diiscussion, carried.

The following amendment to rule 29, tabled by the Ponsonby Club, was carried :—"That the following words be deleted:—'Any members may be drawn from the B team to play with the A team, but before any member who has played with the A team shall be allowed to play with, the B team the permission of the managing committee shall be first obtained. No player shall be allowed to play against any team twice in the same round except with the permission of the committee,' and the following substituted: — 'No members shall be permitted' to play lor both teams in, the same season.' " ,

Trophies wan in tlie various competitions during last season were presented to the winners.

The Auckland Public Schools competition has the keen interest of a veteran player, who has presented

six bate for next season, two each for the A, B and C grades'.

Boy®, show your appreciation of this generous offer by consistent practice and careful attention to the fine points of the game.

The management committee of the Association decided that entries for all grades close on October 19th. The first series l of championship matches will start of Saturday, October 21st.

The annual general meeting of the Eden District Club was held on Tuesday, sth inst. Vice-president Mr E. C. Beale presided over a good attendance of members. Officers for the ensuing sieason. were elected as follows:—Patron, Mis Excellency the Governor; vice-pa trons, Hon. George Fowlds and Mr C. J. Parr, C.M.G.; president, Mr Oliver Nicholson ; vicepresidents, Messrs J. Livesey and T. D. Beasley were elected additional vice-presidents; delegates, to the Auckland Cricket Association, Messrs E. C. Beale, A. Jenkin, and N. T. Williams; hon.. auditors, Messrs W. B. Smith and C. Robinson ; hon. secretary, Mr J. H. Smith ; hon. treasurer, Mr A. Jenkin; management committee, Messrs F. W. Punch, C. Robinson, T. Sauvarin, A. J. Shepherd, W. B. Smith, W. A. Somervell and' W. Turbott.

At the annual generali meeting of the Churches Association the following officers were elected:—Patron, Hon. George Fowlds; president, Rev. W. A. Burley; vice-presidents, Archdeacon Calder, Rev. W. E. Gillam, Colonel J. E. Hume, Messrs R. Laidlaw, J. Court, F. Brinsden, W. Cole, T. Aitken, j. W. Court; secretary, Mr George Eyre; treasurer, Mr N. R. Jones; auditor, Mr R. H. Horeley. The balance-sheet discloses a good financial position, warranting a donation of £5 5s to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund.

The annual general meeting of the Grafton District Club was held last Saturday afternoon.

The annual general meeting of the North; Shore District Club was held on Saturday, 9th inst.

While lovers of winter games always bore in mind the necessity of responding to the Empire's call, and kept fit and ready, it is gratifying to note that at the annual meetings of. the various cricket associations and clubs the principal officers have all laid stress upon the necessity of all who can of enlisting. It will be remembered many cricketers are already serving King and country, but there are others left behind capable of playing their part in the defence of the Empire. Of course, many knights of the willow are unable to go, and to these we must look to

keep the game going

The youngsters must be considered!, they must be looked after carefully, for when peace reigns again they will be required to take the places of those who have given their lives for the country.

It seems every effort is being made for the advancement of Auckland youths' cricket. A competition under the auspices of the Auckland Senior Cadets Sports Association has been inaugurated. Nine teams have signified their intention of competing. Although everything is in readiness for a start, difficulty is being experienced in securing suitable pitches.

A big loss to the management of Auckland cricket is the retirement of Professor Dettman.