CITY CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2262, 23 September 1914, Page 3

CITY CRICKET

WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL REPORT MANAGEMENT'S EXPENSES The annual report of the Wellington Cricket Association shows that although iu was anticipated that tho profits, from the representative matches to be played during the season, would • be considerable, these expectations were, not realised, the wet weather interfering with the gate receiptis:. , , The associaton's ordinary revenue (excluding art union receipts) was exceeded by the expenditure. The committee endeavoured during the past season to improve the condition of the Basin Reserve for cricket; and camo to an arrangement with the City Council for a much bettor system of carrying on the work of keeping the ground in a condition fit for cricket. As the question of the validity of this arrangement is to form the subject of litigation the committee thinks it inex-pedient-to say more than this, that the arrangement, if it can be carried out, will prove mutually advantageous to tho council and the association. Tho problem of reducing the association's indebtedness, and of placing it in a sound financial position received the committee's attention. Tho Art Union, which commenced before tho commencement of the past season, resulted in a profit of £331 9s. od., £22 os. 6d. of which-was brouhgt into last year's statement, thue leaving a profit of £309 Bs. lid. for 1913-14. Here was a profit on all representative matches played during tho season of £31 Bs. 6d., although the cost of sending teams away amounted to about £137. The present number of honorary members is about 120, and_ with the expenditure of a little individual effort it is felt that this number ooultl bo very largely inoveased. This effort should not be left entirely to tho incoming Management Committee. If 300 honorary members could be secured for the coming season the future success of the association would bo assured. .However (continues tho report) tho success or failnre of tho association, although depending largely upon, the committee for the time being, also depends to a great extent upon the interest and support of individual players. Attention is drawn to the fact shown by the statement of income and expenditure that although the ordinary revenue (excluding the Art Union receipts) was oxceeded by the expenditure to the extent, of about £13, the extraordinary expenso of £65 18s. 9d., the association's contribution to the tour of the New Zealand team had to be met. But for this the season's working would have resulted in a reduction of the'debt of £52 18s. 9d. The committee also desires to record its thanks to the Umpires' Association for the its assistancf during the season. Umpires, membors of the association, have devoted their Saturday afterneons cheerfully to the game during the season, and have also willingly given the additional tim'o required by' representative matches. In other parts of New Zealand umpires are frequently paid for their sorricos in representative matches, and it is a matter for congratulation that gentlemen are to bo found in Wellington who are willing to gratuitously givo their time and services to the association in representative', matches. . During the coping season there will be matches against Canterbury and Otago, and probably against Southland, Marlborough, and Wanganui,, and,.the. New South Wales teachers' team, all to be played in Wellington. Wellington,, in its turn, is due to vieit Auckland. These arrangements may, however,'be'suspended on account of the European war. 'It is impossible at present to say what will happen by the time tho matches arfe due to be played. It is worthy of mention that .'several representative players are members of tho Expeditionary Force which has taken possession of German territory. One of the vice-prpsidente, Mr. J. P. Firth, and the members of the committee feel that there should be many old-time players who take an interest in cricket who would assist to place tho finances of tho association in such a condition as would permanently remove the present difficulties and ensuro more successful administration by the Management Committee for tho time being. Mr. Firth's feelings on t'ue subject .'have been shown by a generous donation during the past season. This matter should engage.the attention of the new committee.