HOROWHENUA CRICKET

Chronicle (Levin), 26 September 1946, Page 4

HOROWHENUA CRICKET

Enlhusiastic Meeting of Association HAPPY AUGURY FOR SEASON Eighteen delegates from seven clubs of the district met in Levin last evening on the occasion of the Horowhenua Cricket Association's annual meeting. The game is about to enter its first really wartree season since 1939, and the enthusiasm displayed by those present was a happy indication uhat the sport will once again be one of the district's leading summer activities. The president (Mr. G. C. France) occupied, the chair and before the business commenced referred to the death of one of the district's most enthusiastie sportsmen: "It is with much regret that the passing is recorded of one of our vice-presi-dents, Mr. W. D. Thc-mas. The late gentleman had been associated with our association for many years, and in his death we have iost one of our keenest supporters." Members stood in silence for a moment as a mark of respect. Annual Report The annual report read as foliows: — "The season was a very full one and featured a revival of many of the pre-war friendly matches, logether with a larger iist of representative matches. It was very pleasing to see *so many returned and ex-servieemen once more on „he cricket field after their long absence, and they were not long in making their presence felt. The result was a very keen club competition. The association rules, as revised the previous year, were in operation for the first time and appeared to give general satisfacUon. The main alterations were a new system of points and the reinstatement of the draw. A special general meeting was held to consider an extension of the hours of play as a result of the more or less universal introduction of the 40hour week, but it was decided to hold the matter over until the annual general meeting. "Competitions: Six teams entered for the senior competition. The old Jnitqd Ciub split up into its origmai components, Levin and Weraroa Clubs, while Otaki re-c-ntered a team after a lapse of some years. This team performed very capably and finished runnersup to the powerful Levin team. The youthful Old Boys team started the season very shakily, but towards the end recorded a number oi meritorious performances. "Representauve mauches: The Southern Hawke's Bay Association was early in the field with a challenge for the Goldfinch and Cousins Cup. The match was played at Levin and was won by Horowhenua by the narrow margin of two runs, Horowhenua 150, Southern Hawke's Bay 148. A match with Feilding was not played on accopnt of the condition of the grounds, but eventually the cup was lost to Manawatu B. Home and away matches were played against the W.C.C.B. Club, both being won by O.B., while two matches againsi Johnsonville teams at Levin were won by Horowhenua. "Hawke Cup representation : This question was taken up with the Manawatu Association during the year and the secretary afctended a meeting in Palmerston North, when representatives from Feilding were also present. The immediate outcome of that meeting was a match between a Manawatu team and a team comprising four players from each of the Feilding and Horowhenua Assoeiations and three players from Southern Hawke's Bay. Unfortunately rain interfered and the match was not completed. The Manawatu Association also promised that a similar match would be played early each season in order to give Horowhenua players the opportunity of qualifying for Manawatu teams. "Meetings : The management committee met on five occasions during the season, while one special general meeting was held. Finances The statement of accounts for fche year ended May 31, 1946, showed that the association had commenced the season with a total of £18 2s 5d and had concluded the season with £23 ls 2d on hand. The main items of revenue during the year were affiliation fees £12 12s and donations £9 8s 6d. The principal items on the expenditure side were £9 13s- 2d for the entertainrnent of visiting teams and £6 6s to the Levin Borough Council for ground fees. Qfficers Elected The election of officers for the coming season resulted as follows: — Patron: Mr. H. B. Burdekin; president: Mr. G. C. France; vice-presidents: Messrs. R. Downes (Shannon), S. Simcox (Otaki), C. Reeves (Paraparaumu) and E: Stevens (Levin) ; secretary-treas-urer: Mr. C. E. Wiseley; management committee: Messrs. G. C. France, C. E. Wiseley, J. D. -MacFarlane, J. Garrity and K. Hudson; postponement committee: Messrs. G. C. France, C. E. Wiseley, V. Cahill and a representative from Shannon to be appointed- later. General BusinessThe affiliation fees, which can be altered annually, were fixed at lasi year's price of £2 2s. It was also decided to charge all teams the £2 2s for the coming season. It was moved that a recommendation be forwarded to j;he management committee, stating that the championship matches commence 011 Saturday, October 19. In connection with this motion it was also moved that the closing date for entry be October 12, and that

beforehand a notice be sent to the committee reporting on the grounds in the various centres in che district. It was decided to commence games at 1 p.m. this season instead sf 2 p.m. as was the practice last year. The other rules regarding the drawing of stumps were carried on. A recommendation to the management committee was moved that when representative games are played outside the district, the championship games still be played. It was resolved to forward a recommendation to the management committee, that in the event of an English , eleven playing in Wellington, all club games be suspended. Mr. J. D. MacFarlane brought before the meeting the matter of introducing junior teams into the competitions. It was decided to set up a committee consisting of Messrs. J. D. MacFarlane, C. E Wiseley, G. C. France and V. Cahill to go into the matter of getting enough teams to start the junior competition.