ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1259, 14 October 1911, Page 13

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

- —» —— CRICKET. WHAT STATUS FOR COLLEGE? SENIOR OR JUNIOR? Tho committee of the Victoria College Cricket Club met last night to protest against tho proposal which will conio before the Rene-fal meeting of tho association next week, to reduce the club from senior to junior grade. Tho matter will come before the association by way of a recommendation from the "Wellington East Club that tho number of senior clubs in tho competition bo reduced to six. Last year one of the clubs played two senior elevens, but, this year, they propose to drop one senior team, and, in order to avoid byes, it has been suggested that one senior team be reduced in status. It is generally admitted that the team to bo reduced (if any) is Victoria College, and members of the latter club a-re aggrieved m conseauence. Last night the committea passed a resolution protesting against tho intention of the association to degrade the club, on the ground that such an action would be against tho interests of tho club and of cricket generally. It was urged, in support of the resolution, that a bye was not necessarily undesirable, and that in any case Victoria College Club had done nothing to deserve reduction from 6enioi grade, having won three out of eight matches played. It was stated that the opposition to the club was merely a continuation of tho objections which woro raised to the College being constituted a district, and merely a move preliminary to putting tho club out of the competitions altogether. The club was now stronger in membership than it had ever been previously, and sounder financially than a few. of the district clubs. HOTT CLUB'S TEAMS. The following will represent the Hntt Club m matches against Wellington East Club at Hutt to-day:— Senior: Aldersley, Brico, Climie, Isherwood, E. Judd, !•'. Judd, Matthews, A. i'ringle, W. I'ringle, Simpson, and Staples. Junior: Aldersley, Bock, Borland, Brown, Doig, Everton, Harris, M'Caw, Pilcher (2), Pocknall, Pringle, and Yeats. WEDNESDAY ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the Wellington Wednesday Cricket Association was held last ovening. Mr. W. D. Duncan presided. The annual report gavo a resume of the past season. This season (tho report went on to say) tho association hoped to arrange shield matches with Auckland and Chnstchurch. Tho financial position of tho association was more thaa satisfactory. Last season had been started with a small credit balance, but they had finished the season with a balance of over Tho balance-sheet showed a cash balance of £42. The report and tho balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected:— Pat™, Mr. T. M. Wilford; president, Mr. C. H. Izard; vice-presidents, Drs Anderson, Herbert, and Martin, and Messrs. J C. Trickett, L. M'Kenzie, W. Duncan, W. M'lntosh, T. Shields, T. Kingston, J. J. Firth, J. Duthio; hon. ?*•;*£• f C ,' Cusac k; hon. treas., Mr. J. Mulford; chairman, Mr. W. D. Duncan; senio reelection committee, Messrs J. J. Mulford, and F. lleid; junior selectors, Messrs. A. J. Williamson, G Mackay, and F. Hill; grounds ?? m . ra , lttee >, Mossrs - J - O'Sullivan, G. M , & iP'., and J - C. Cusack; auditor, Mr. W. Reid. The meeting expressed its appreciation, by vote, of the work done by the secretarr u Mr. Cusack) during tho vear. Members expressed tho opinion that the season should bo commenced on Wednesday next. With this end in view, inquiries as to wickets will be made.

THE N,U. GAME. WILL IT BE PLATED HERE? ■ MEETING HELD. Judging from the enthusiasm shown at tlio moeting of Northern Union men last evening, there is some ground for be- ■ lioTing that tho Northern Union game will bo played in Wellington next season. ,%• T; Cunningham, a representative or the N.Z. Council, is now in this citv and, in response to his invitation, "a number ot players and supporters of tho game met last evening to elect'a committoe witu the object of starting tho game In explaining the objects of tho New Zealand Council, Mr. Cunningham stated. that it was not their idea to enter the professional ranks, but to keep tho game on a strictly amateur basis. It was their intention, however, to pay members of travolling teams 10s. per diem as compensation for loss of wages, eto. It was held that somo players could not afford to leave their work and play football; hence, the return for wages lost. Tho speaker stated that there had been a guarantee received from the Australian League, amounting to JCISOO per season, if Now Zealand would send representative teams to the other side overy season. Tho New Zealand Council had decided that this should l>9 done. Next year n. New Zealand representative team would be cent acros9 to try conclusions with Australia's best. Later in the season New South Wales and Queensland teams would visit tho Dominion. Mr. Cunningham went on to say that the gamo had taken on well in Auckland and other northern provinces, and he gave an instance of how a well-known Eugbv referee in Auckland (Mr. A. Campbell) bad gone over to tho game. In conclusion, the speaker gave instances of famous Rugby players in New Zealand having left the ranks of the old game and taken on tho new.

A strong comtnitteo was formed, with Mr. G. A. Blacker (a former secretary of Northern Union clubs in England) as secretary. Another meeting will bo held on November. 10.

CYCLING. LABOUR DAY HANDICAPS. The following are the handicaps in tho cycle events at Hie Labour Day sports:— 1 Mile. 2 Jliles. Edwards ..... sc. sc. • Sutherland 50 100 Ford 05 135 Algar 95 200 I'irrell 100 210 Ashford ICO 210 Gray 130 270 Lyons 130 270 I'inch 160 330 TEE WELLINGTON CLUB. The nineteenth annual meeting: of the Wellington Cycling Club was held at the club s rooms, Willis Sreet, last evenins- Dr. A. W. Izard (president) was in tho chair, and there was a good attendance. The annual report stated that the receipts have been well maintained, notwithstanding the falling off in the attendance of members during the currency of the N.Z. Coronation Industrial Exhibition. During tho past year the committee decided to sub-let, tho two spare front rooms, and were successful in obtaining suitable tenants; subsequent events have fully justified tho oourse adopted. Tho billiards championship of the club was won by Mr. W. A. Fordhani, who lias won it 6even times during the past eight years. Tho tournament for the prcsi-, dent's trophy was won by Mr. C. M'Gill. Entries for tho othor tournaments held during the year havo been well up to the average. Tho committee acknowledged with thanks donations from Dr. Izard, Messrs. H. G. Smith, W. A. Fordham, J. Doyle, and J. Woolf. The membership now stands at 160, there having been 28 now members elected and 16 resigned, whilst 46 wero struck off tho roll of membership. Tho committee proposed to hold a smoke concert during tho winter, but had to abandon tho idea owing to tho poor response received. Tho thanks of tho club are due to Messrs. T. Archibald and T. H. Morrison, who arranged and guaranteed the club's temporary overdraft at the bank. Tlio club's leaso of tho present premises expires on December 31, but owing to tho absenco of tho lessor from tho Dominion Hie nuestion of renewing the lease must for tho present be deferred. In tho meantime satisfactory arrangements havo been made to continue m .occupation,

after December 31 at, a slightly reduced rental until fresh arrangements aro made. It is not anticipated that any difficulty will be experienced ill obtaining a lcaso for a further term should the club bo desire it. Twenty-six committee meetings were held during the year. Tho election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Dr. A. W. Izard; vicepresidents, Messrs. J. V. Murray, 0. iiose, H. C. Smith, J. Doyle; committee, Messrs. W. A. Fordbam, T. 11. Morrison, G. Lauchlau, A. N. Robertson, J. Meston, T. R, Archibald, W. 11. Pollock, A. C. Kitto, 11. W. Hoy; auditors, Messrs. W. Chegwiddcn aud B. Brand; secretary, Mr. 11. B. Soarlo; treasurer, Mr. W. Young. A vote of thanks was accorded the retiring officers.

BOWLS. At a meeting of tho directors o£ the Ketburno ijowling Club, held on Thursday evening last, it was decided to hold a progressive pairs tourney on Labour Day, play to start at 10 a.m. Tho competition for the JJinnio Gup (champion singles) will this year be played for in sections in plac& of tho sudden death principle, as formerly. Tho president's bowls conditions have also been altered, and will now bo competed for as a pairs competition. Tho entries for both close on November 11.