THE EBB TIDE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2888, 28 September 1916, Page 6

THE EBB TIDE

SPORT AND WAR POSITION OP CRICKET IN WELLINGTON The presont period is tho ebb tide of cricket hero, Mr. M. F. Luckie aptly observed at last evening's annual meeting of the Wellington Cricket Association. Mr. Luckio naturally went on to refer to the way,in which tho war had depleted the ranks of the men who wear the blazer and the white flannel. Notwithstanding the departure of so many young cricketers for the war the game should not be abandoned; pTay- should proceed this season. Some had discussed the question of abandoning play, this year, _ but there should be no such idea.. Cricket developed the best there was in young men—patience, endurance, and discipline, and it could not, under any circumstances, be said that a continuance of cricket would be otherwise than to the benefit of the community. To play cricket was to make the best possible use of snare time. He- was confident that no argument of any weight could be used against the playing of cricket in the coming summer. Mr. Luckie then moved that the annual report and balance-sheet (already published) should bo adopted.

Mr. C. I?-. "Smith seconded the motion. He endorsed Mr. Luckie's remarks ; cricket should be kept going because it brought out the very best that was in men. It was. up to those who remained to hold the wickets up and keep the game going. _ Nevertheless, it was wise to,discontinue intcrprovincinl, matches.

Mr. C. G. Wilson, referring to the balance-sheet, drew attention to the fact that the Central Club owed £45, the Trentham Club .623, and the Wednesday Association £21. These amounts were shown in th» balance-sheet as assets. They totalled £90,. but they might not he wortlr£9. ' He was not to allow those bodies to go out of existence and simplyfoist their liabilities on Jo the association. Tt was the first- time during bis long connection with cricket, that he had known clubs to' owe money to the governing body.

| Mr. H. F. Bnrf IV seoretorv of the Central Club, which .is £45 in the association's debt, (said that the annual meeting of the club was called for last Tuesday evening, but only three members attended. When -he joined tho club a few years ago, it was running threo teams: to-day there were only nbojit fire of the old members left. Tin's year the. assets of the club would be realised 'on; and some of the members m-obably would be asked to din into their pockets. Anyhow, why did the Management Committee of the Association allow clubs to become so far in arrear? The chairman: It is not quite fair for a debtor to complain about his creditor when the creditor has given him a long time in which to pay. Mr. C. R. Smith said he would mnko an effort to raise hv some menns the amount owing by the Wednesday Association. The report and the balance-sheet were adopted. ■ Officers were elected as follow:—Patron, His Excellency the Governor: president, the Hon. Sir Francis 'Bell, K.C.; vice-nrnsidents, the Hon. A. L. Herdman, M.P., Dr. A. K. Newman, M.P.. Dr. Ross. Professor M'Kenzio, the Hon. ,T. G. W. Aitken. Messrs. .1. P.' Firth, E. P. Bunny, W. E. Bethuuo, R. A. Wright, M.P., J. Caughlev, A. T. Bate, C.-R. Smith. M. F. Liickie, and F. W. Christian; delegates to New Zealand Association, Mr. J. Fanning and Sir Cecil Moon; management committee. Messrs. 0. G. Wilson, M. J. Crombie, F. A. Midlane, A. A. George, F. J. O'Driscoll, E. H. Ward, D. M'Kenzie, J. D. Howitt; secretarv, Mr. G. F. Gibb; treasurer, Mr. V. B. Willis; auditor, Mr. C. E. Stovous.

Mr. M. J. Crombie moved tho following addition to the rules: "No club shall be allowed to take part in any match under the control of tho association until all moneys due bv such club to the association are naid." Mr. Crombie said that this would not work harshly. It would simoly force clubs to keep to their obligations. It would not mean that a team would havo to pay its dues before it could play a match m respect of which ■ thev i-cro owing, but it would mean that it could not play another game until the former Snturdav's dues were forwarded The rule had been used in tho past, and had. had an excellent effect. Tho motion was cnrrie x d.