CRICKET.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19162, 19 November 1927, Page 16

CRICKET.

NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES. Practically every Cricket Association in New Zealand was represented at the conference of delegates held last evening in the Chamber of Commerce Hall. Those present were: Messrs E. Heathcote Williams (vice-president of the New Zealand Council), who presided, and Messrs J. S. Barrett, W. H. Winsor, X. C. Snedden (Auckland), M. 0. Sinclair, F. Hawke (Waikato), Br. P. S. Foster, Mr M. McLeod (Hawke 'a Bay), Messrs F. Woods (South Hawke's Bay), W. Millar (Manawatu), A. T. Donnelly (Wairoa), S. F. Wilson, A. C. Cooke (Poverty Bay). H. M. Taylor, A. M. Beale (Waiapu), D. E. Parton, H. M. B. Trapp (Wairarapa), H. F. Arkwright (Rangitikei), J. H. Hayhow (Wanganui), G. T. Weston, T. H. Bates (Taranaki), A. E. Byrne, R. Fisher, D. McKenzie (Wellington), T. W. Reese, A. H. Greenwood (West Coast), the Rev. J. F. Coursey, Mr C. Walker CBuller), Messrs D. Reese, E. R. Caygill, R. B. Ward (Canterbury), P. D. Mansell, R. B. Macdonald (South Canterbury), E. C. Beale, proxy, J. Hamilton (Ashburton), W. Bottrell (Marlborough), E. E. Luttrcll, E. R, Neale (Nelson). J. F. Pcake, J. Rainsden, J. Ro'bson (Otago), IT. E. Lawrence, D. V; Smith (North Otago), P. Dalrymple, and W. Hammond (Southland). Mr Peakc acted as secretary. Only four Associations were not represented by direct delegates, viz., Marlborough, South Hawke'a Bay, Manawatu, and Wairoa. Most Important Conference. On behalf of the Council I)he chairrinau welcomed the delegates. He said it was. the first meeting of its kind in the history of cricket, and the most important. Much important work had been done for the game, and cricket had reached a higher degree of efficiency than ever before. They were present to raise it still higher. He would like to testify to the excellent work of the Council —they would go far, and never find better men. (Applause.) Mr McKenzie moved that-during the period of Summer Time the hours of play in representative matches be 12 p.m. to 1.30 p.m., 2.15 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. and 4.45 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mr Weston seconded the motion. Mr Ward moved that play be commenced at 11.30 a.m. Mr Hayhow seconded the amendment. Mr D. Reese moved a further amendment, that the hours be 11.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Mr Taylor seconded this amendment. Mr Sneddon moved a still further amendment, that the hours be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mr Robson, who seconded the amendment, 'said the whole question was bound up with the number of days' o c play. Mr Hammond said the hours proposed did not increase the time for play — rather the opposite was the case. Mr McKenzie said he did not think there would have been any argument. The proposal was just to take advantage of the Summer Time Act, by commencing play and drawing stumps an hour later than at present. Duration of Matches. It was decided to discuss the question of duration of matches first. Mr Sneddon moved that Plunket .Shield and test., .matches be limited to four days. Mr Robson seconded the motion. He said ,tho country was not yet ready forcricket lasting for unlimited periods. Mr Snedden said the idea was to get over, occurrences such as the debacle in Dunedin a few years ago when the Wellington team was held up for a .week. The chairman said some consideration must be given to employers, who could not have their men away for an unlimited period. • . Mr T. W. Reese said that the time should not be unlimited, as this did not make for bright cricket. Mr Byrne said Rule 3 of the Plunket Shield rules should be altered to make the hours from 12 noon to .7 p.m., during the operation of the Summer Time Act. He moved this as an. amendment. Mr Parton seconded.the amendment. The Rev. Mr Coursey said Mr Snedden's motion should bo regarded as an amendment. Mr Caygill said he was in favour of limiting matches :to-four days. Rarely had occasion arisen to go past this period. -Mr Snedden 's motion was carried' with one dissentient. Messrs Reese and Taylor withdrew their amendment regarding hours of play. ' Finally it was decided, that the hours be 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., 2.15 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., 4.45 p.m. to 7 p.m. It was decided unanimously not to alter Rule S, covering Hawke Cup matches. Future Representation.. . Regarding the future holding of the conference, Mr D. Reese said that one suggestion had been that it should bd |ield every four years, and another that major Associations should have direct representation at every annual meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council. Of necessity the financial aspect had to be considered. Mr Snedden (Auckland) moved that in order to solve the difficulty of finance, as the expenses of the conference were £IBO, the annual subscription of the major Associations be increased from £5 5s to £lO 10s, and that of the minor Associations from £2 •2s to £4 4s. The New Zealand Council could then put the entire money into a fund to pay the expenses of the conference, to be held every two years. Mr McLeod seconded the motion. Mr Robson said that his Association was willing to bear the cost of sendinga delegate.

The West Coast and Buller delegates asked that the agenda paper for the conference be sent to the minor Associations, so that their resident delegates might be instructed how to. vote. After further discussion the motion was carried.

It was decided to publish colours •in the annnal report, Mr Reese making reference to Hawke's Bay's change of colours without notification. A motion was carried that it be an instruction to minor Associations that they submit to the Council any proposed changes in their rules. Mr Greenwood moved that two competitions be instituted, one in -each Island, for the Hawke Cup. He advanced the proposal that Nelson, Buller, West Coast, and Marlborough should play off in the north of the South Island, and South Canterbury, North Otago, and" Southland in the south of . the South Island. I Mr Miller supported the proposal. j Gift of Trojlhy. The chairman said he felt the suggestion should be made to Lord Hawke that competition-for the Hawke Cup. should be confined to the North Island. If this was acceptable to the donor he would be prepared to give a shield

or good cup for competition in the South Island. (Applause.) .The Rev. Mr Coursey suggested that discussion of the matter be adjourned until 10 a.m. to-day, when a conference of minor Associations could be held at Lancaster Park. He suggested Mr Reese act as'chairman. , This was approved. Mr Ncale asked what the position of Nelson and Marlborough would be, as these provinces were at present attached to the Wellington Plunket Shield matches. Mr Reese said they would still be lached to Wellington. It was decided to recommend Associations to endeavour to foster competition' for the Heathcote Williams Shield by approaching headmasters of secondary, schools. Mr Reese, on behalf of the Management Committee, recommended that major Associations play games against minor Associations in their own territory. This would give the game a fillip in the country, he said. Mr _ McKenzie said the Wellington Association was beginning to get money back; from town and country matches now. Mr Reese paid a tribute to the work of Mr Arkwright in fostering country cricket. Mr Shedden .referred to the efforts of Mr Beale. '