WAIKATO CRICKET ASSN.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15361, 9 October 1923, Page 2

WAIKATO CRICKET ASSN.

PREPARING FOR NEW TERM.

PROSPECTS APPEAR BRIGHT.

BUSINESS AT ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Waikato Cricket Association was helfl in the Imperial Tea Rooms last evening when there was a full representation of all clubs and many enthusiasts. The president of the Association (Mr F. Hawke) occupied the chair. The committee’s annual report, as presented by the secretary (Mr Melville), stated: — “In reviewing the past season your committee lihve reason to congratulate players and all interested on the success achieved and the improvement in cricket generally. Playing grounds: The Association had the use of two turf wickets and two clay and sand wickets in Seddon Park, one clay wicket on Steele Park, and also on account of the Ngaruawahia and Horotiu clubs being affiliated, alternate matches were played on the latter club’s grounds, where concrete and matting wickets were provided. Special mention must be made of.the improvement in the wickets and the ground generally on Seddon Park. This was due largely to the assistance given by the Domain Board and especially to Mr Fowler, the chairman of the Board, to whom special thanks were due. Finance: As during the previous season, your Association had difficulty in financing, its operations for the past season, mainly owing to the heavy' expense in keeping the playing areas at Seddon Park in order. However, on account of the loyal support of players and the onlooking public, the season ended with a small credit balance. Groundsman: Your Association was fortunate in retaining the services of Mr E. Garter as groundsman for the season, and the interest and hard work which he put into the wickets and outfield resulted in Seddon Park being in firstclass condition right through the season, and the thanks of all players aie due to him. Club competitions: In the A grade competition five teams took part; in the B-.grade eight teams, the winners proving to be Old Boys in the A and High School in the B, with St. Paul’s and Hamilton East runnersup. A primary schools’ competition also took place. In the B grade competition two new clubs in Hamilton East and Horotiu took part, and it was owing to the enthusiasm of the Hamilton East Club that a wicket was made available on Steele Park. Representative matches: Matches were plavcd in Hamilton, against Taumarunuf Te Kuiti and TeiAwamutu, in all ol' which your teams were successful. Return visits arc due by Waikato teams to each of these associations during the coming season and also to Rotorua. The match played against Taumarunui was for the.. South Auckland Shield, the-latter association having put in a challenge for this trophy, but the Waikato team was successful. Hawke Cup: -Although-'your Associa-. .Ron put in a challenge ..early in the season for the Hawke Gup, a match was not allotted to them till the end ei the season, and then Wanganui (the holders) dccjUned the proposed dates on the grounds),: that their team had ralready playedyayspjlcient number of matches, and th<*::".,disculty of their players in Your Association expectsytpysend a team in quest of the trophy "during! .llhe- coming season. Donors trophlesT Mr Loughlin senr., presentedAa -oup for competition in ~~the... primary schools, Messrs J. and -’ll. Loughiin a cup for competition in the- B -grade; and Mr Eton t-wo bats, one each for the most improved, player in ..<the A and B grades. These latter were won by Mr Lenilian, of the' Old' Boy'S Club, and E. Carter, of the High School. The best thanks of the Association are due to the donors of these trophies. “In conclusion,- your ■ committee would like to, express their appreciation for help rendered by the officers of affiliated clubs, the. ladies for helping in distributing afternoon tea, to all those gentlemen, who gave their services as hfripices, to the press, and tc all who assisted in any way towards the success of the past season.’’

The report ancl balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of Mr A. Taylor, seconded by Mr.R. Johnstone. The following office-bearers were appointed:—Patron, Mr J. A. Young, M.P.; president, Mr I°. Hawke; vicepresidents, Messrs W. Dymock, C. Morris, Ebon Wilson, R. Johnstone, senr., J. Loughlin, senr., Wm. Goodfellow, R. C. Fowler, A. H. Tompkins and W. Carr Rollett; hon. secretary, Mr P. Melville; hon. treasurer, Mr S. E. Senior; hon. auditor, Mr R. Johnstone. Blatters of Interest. The president congratulated Old Boys on their win in the A grade, and made special reference ’to the high scoring, including a double century, during the season, by M. Gilmore, a member of the winning club. Congratulations were also extended to High School on their success in the B grade championship. The fine sporting spirit shown by Hamilton East, the runners-up in this grade, was also specially referred to by Mr Hawke. Mr Sncdden, captain of the Old Boys eleven, returned the thanks of his” club-mates and himself for the appreciative remarks passed.

Mr Fenwick thanked the Association cn behalf of the Public Schools’ Association for the encouragement given to cricket by the parent body, and also in placing the grounds at their disposal for the schools’ annual athletic gathering. Mr Melville referred to the obligation that was upon the Association to return visits to the various associations that had sent teams to Hamilton last season.

The president stated that application had been made by the Nomads, a well known combination from the Bangitikei arba, to play in Hamilton oil January 7 and S. On behalf of the Hamilton East Club Mr Short asked that the Association give every support, along with the Domain Board, in providing suitable playing areas In that district.

The president said that the Board, he was sure, would give every assistance that lay in its power. The Association, too, would do its very best towards the proper equipment of the playing area at Steele Park.

It was decided,„ providing ttic weather is favourable, to hold an opening practice of all cricketers at Scddon Park on Saturday,