Ashley County Cricket Club.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4742, 6 September 1893, Page 3

Ashley County Cricket Club.

The annual meeting of the Ashley County Cricket Club was held at tie Junction Hotel, Rangiora, last night. There waß a good attendance. Mr E. Wilder occupied the chair. The following were elected members of the Clvb :— Messrs W. J. Hussey, H. Hussey, S. Smith, G. Payne, D. Stewart, T. Croft, G. Croft, H. Bale and H. Archer. The annual report Btated that the proceedings of the Club in the field daring the last season could not be said to have been satisfactory, as the first eleven won only one match. Seven Senior Cup matches had been playedand had beenall lost. The Club had been successf ulin its annual fixture with the Amuri Club, also in a match against the North Canterbury Association, and had lost the match with South Canterbury. No particular brilliancy was Bhown by any of the members either in the batting or in the bowling departments of the game, but the perseverance and determination of the first eleven in fighting against great odds in the Cup matches was worthy of honourable notice. Mr Helmore headed the batting averages for the season with an average of fourteen runa, and therefore won the bat kindly presented by the President, Mr J. B. Wil3on. Owing to the expenditure of about £20 in permanent improvements at the beginning of last season, the Club had run somewhat into debt, and there was a debit balance, after allowing for outstanding liabilities, of about £23. There were, however, more than sufficient assets to cover all liabilities; and it waa suggested that the annual entertainment be held in October to raise money to pay off the debts. The Committee recommended that the Club discontinue playing in the cup matches, but endeavour to arrange as many foreign matches as possible. The balance-sheet showed receipts £58 ss, expenditure £53 5s Id, liabilities £28 12s 3d, assets £42 143 sd. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies who provided the afternoon tea at matches, to the friends who took part in the dramatic entertainment, and to Mr Helmore for his services as Secretary and Treasurer. The officers elected were :— Patron, Mr R. Moore; President, Mr J. B. Wilson; Vice-Presidents, Messrs E. Wilder, W. C. Nicholls, R. Blunden, J. Dobson, W. Bass, H. Blackett, A. S. Clarkson, J. Sansom and Doctors Clayton and Volckman ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr J. Garty; General Committee, Rev F. P. Fendall and Messrs Allan, Gulliver, Helmore, Bailey, Templer, Good, Cumber worth, and Mansell. Ground, Match, and Selection Committees were also appointed. Mr G. H. N. Helmore was elected captain. The Rev F. P. Fendall and Mr A. Templer were appointed delegates to the North Cauteibmry Cricket Association. On the motion of Mr Helmore, it was decided to discontinue entering a team for the Senior Cup matches, and also to cease subscribing to the Canterbury Cricket Association. Mr Templer moved— "That two teams be entered for the North Canterbury Cricket Association cup matches, and that the General Committee make the necessary arrangements with the Association in reference to the teams." The motion was agreed to. Mr H. C. Bailey reported that the ground would be in order for play in about three weekß, and that it would be neoesBary for the Domain Board to repair the fences. It was decided to charge ten shillings for each outside match played on the ground. The opening game was fixed for Sept. 30, and the Committee was instructed to endeavour to arrange a match with the Amuri County Club in October. Mr Good moved—" That, in the opinion of the meeting, eleven o'clock should be the latest hour a match can be started." This was Beconded by Mr Helmore and carried. Mr J. B. Wilson, the President of the Club, made the presentation of the bat given by him for the highest batting average, the recipient being Mr Helmore. He also asked Mr Sale to accept of a bat in recognition of his services in the field, Messrs Helmcre and Sale returned thanks.

Mr Wikon promised a ba* for the beat howling average and another for the befc baiting average during the season. Mr Wilder also offered a bat for competition, and a vote of thanks was accorded to the two gentlemen for their kindness. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr E. Wilder for hia services as captain of the Club since its formation; and regret was expressed at his intention of giving up the game this season in favour of polo. One or two other matters came up for consideration, and the meeting terminated.