CRICKET.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18366, 27 April 1925, Page 9

CRICKET.

NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. QUARTERLY MEETING.

The quarterly meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Cricket Council -was held on Friday night. Present: Messrs J. S. Barrett (Auckland), chairman, M. 0. Sinclair (Waikato), W. Miller (Manawatu), S. F. Wilßon (Poverty Bay), D. E. Parton (Wairarapa), G. T. Weston (North Taranaki), K. Fisher (Wellington), D. Eeese and E. B. Caygill (Canterbury), P. D. Mansell (South Canterbury), W. Bottrell (Marlborough), J. F. Peake and W. H. Winsor (Otago), and Dr. P. S. Foster-(Hawke's Bay).

The Victorians' Tour. In his address, the chairman said the season had finished up fairly well. The recent tour of the Victorians would result, it was expected, in a small profit to the Council, and it was probable that there would be a slight refund to the associations which had given guarantees. The tour itself had been a great success, and he was sure that no one could cavil ait the Council for having taken it on. New, Zealand sides had shaped well against the visitors; in fact, the Dominion players had acquitted themselves much better this time than they had ever done against teams of similar calibre. Matches against visiting teams inspired the local men with confidence, and it was by such means that the standard of play would be raised until, it was hoped, New Zealand would be able to meet Australia and England with a chance of beating them. It was a rather big idea, but the ideal should be kept in view. That was why the Council had endeavoured to arrange as many matches as possible against good teams. It was only by such means that players would gain the confidence required to win test matches. The Victorians had enjoyed the tour, and the Council was pleased that they should havo expressed appreciation in the way they had done. If the Council had had anything but the xottenest luck, it might have made as good a profit as was ever made of a tour. The secretary stated that although he co.uld not give a detailed financial statement, he estimated that there would be a credit balance on the tour of £450, and that £250 would be divided among the associations.

Letter of Appreciation. The chairman read the following letter received from Mr E. E. Bean, manager of the Victorian team:—

"On behalf of the Victorian team, which has now completed its tour of New Zealand, I desire to convey to you our ap-. preciation of the many kindnesses extended to tts during our visit by the officials of yonr Council and • the citizens generally. The arrangements for .the tour made by yourself and the Council have been perfect, and have been greatiy appreciated by' the team. The officials or the Bailway Department have been extremely courteous and obliging and the New Zealand Express Co. hag .•carried out •. its contract /without a hitch. I must congratulate the Council on • possessing so many promising players. This general standard of the game in ,Now Zealand is. higher than is usually credited in Australia. We have found the New Zealand players worthy opponents, and we wish to express our appreciation of the sportsmanship exhibited by one and all of thein. As manager of the team I desire to convey to you and the members of the different associations my personal thanks for the valuable - assistance rendered on all occa<sions. It - ia with great regret that we leave your country, and we shall ever oherish an abiding affection for all who contributed ao ranch towards the success of the tour. With best wishes for th© success in' New Zealand of the greatest of gamea." - . r - Matches Agatost Australia,., f ;ContHming hia address, the chairman said the most important thing he could mention was the proposed tour of Australia by a New Zealand team next year. The Management Committee should map out a tour that would entail the New Zealanders meeting the best Australians before they left for England. Both from a cricket and a financial point of view it would be advisable to meet the best men, and perhaps get "well licked;" than to meet the seeond grade players when the top-notchers were away. The agent in Sydney had the arrangement for the tour in his hands. .'The possibility of the Australian team for England visiting the Dominion before it began 'the voyage Home was also touched on by Mr Barrett. 'He said that instead of going Home via Fremantle, as it had done since 1882, thfr. team might coma to New Zealand and go to England via Panama or the Canadian Pacific Bailway. If that could be arranged, three or four matches might be played here. The Australian Board of Control had not yet seen its way to grant that proposal, but the Council had some good friends in Australia, and when the Board met in September, there was a possible chance that the Council's wishes might be acceded to. The visit of a team that was about to compete for "the ashes," would be a terrific stimu- ' Ins'to New Zealand cricket.

Other Hatters: ' Reviewing the season, Mr Barrett said the Plunket Shield had been well contested. Otago. had had a well-de-served win, and that province had also the honour of.Saving the Bedpath Cup winner, Mr B. de E. Worker, who had made his runs under difficulties, and had always been ready when he was wanted. Nelson"had gained the Hawke Cup by winning the five matches it had played. The Heathcote Williams Shield, won this year by the Auckland Grammar School, had always been a source of difficulty, inasmuch as some of the prominent secondary schools did not encourage the competition". It was a fine trophy, and there ought to be more competition for it.

The chairman welcomed back Mr S. F. Wilson, saying that it was a very great honour that a member of the Board of Control should have, sat at a conference which made the laws of football, which it could not be denied was the national game.

Eeplying to his welcome, Mr Wilson held out hopes that arrangements would be made for the tour of a New Zealand team in* England in a few years' time. He thought the team would have some success against .the minor counties.

West Coast Dispute. The dispute over the allocation of the Wingfield Cup, between the Cobden and United (Westland) Clubs, was brought up by a telegram from the United Club which stated that it had important facts to put before the Council. The secretary, • outlining the dispute, said the final match for the Wingfield Cup was begun between Cobden and United B teams. It appeared that the match was not finished, and as United had a lead'on the first innings the match was awarded by the local Association to United. Cobden had appealed to the Association and written to the Council, which, asked for a decision, had said that the competition was unfinished. The United Club had then appealed. A rule of the competition stated that the final match had to be played to a finish. The chairman said there seemed to be a considerable amount of local feeling about the matter. -On the chairman's suggestion, Mr ;D. Reese was appointed a, commission to investigate' the whole' matter, and to report to the next meeting of the Council. .

' Mr Eeesp intimated that he would go to "the Coast in four or five weeks' time and meet the clubs, and the Association cohcerried. - • ' -