CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 3, 28 September 1921, Page 9

CRICKET

BASIN RESERVE QUESTION ELIMINATING ONE-TEAM CLUBS > A special meeting of the Management ’ Committee of the Wellington Cricket ■ Association ■was hold last evening. Mr. C. G. Wilson presided, and there wore ; also present Messrs. B. L. Salmon, W. : G. Hughes, W. A. Baker, J. Reid, H. E. Burton, P. Shilton, and R. S. Johnston (hon. secretary). It was decided to open the season on October IS, practice to commence on the Basin Reserve on October 11. All en- ! tries for the competitions will close on ' October 10.

i The Otago Association wrote asking if the representative fixture with Wel- ' ling ton could be hold on Jtinuady 6,7, and 9 They intend playing Canterbury nt Christmas land Auckland at Now Year The Canterbury Association wrote ■asking for December 31, January 2 and 3. It/was decided to accept the above dates the matches to be at Wellington,' and to ask Auckland if Wellington could play them at the northern city on January 20, 21, and 23. Messrs. P. Fulton, 11. E. Burton, and B. L. Salmon were elected as a senior championship committee. It was decided that the committee to manage all ■ grades under senior would consist of three or four members. A meeting of delegates from the juniors will be called to elect the members and Mr. J. Reid will act as chairman of the committee. It was decided to convene a meeting of representatives of all sports bodies using the Basin Reserve for next Tuesday night to consider the proposal re tho new pavilion. Messrs. C. G. Wilson, H. E. Burton, and H. J. Buck were appointed the association's representatives to attend the meeting. Mr. Wilson characterised tho present building as a perfect disgrace to Wellington. One member interjected that the pre- . vent pavilion had been in existence since Mr. Wilson pointed out that under the scheme for 1000 people to'give £5 ss. each they would get good value for their money in obtaining three years' mem- ' bership to all sports meetings on the ■ Basin Reserve for themselves and two ladies. A letter was received pointing out that last year most of the matches on Karori Park were played on the southern portion, while the northern portion remained unoccupied. On some Saturdays as many as six matches were played at the same time, with the result that many players received severe knocks. It was decided to forward a copy of the letter on to the Reserves Committee of the City Council. Mr. Johnston outlined the proposals made to the Reserves Committee of tho City Council in reference to payment for ' the Basin Reserve. The association, he nid, guaranteed £2OO per annum and 15 per cent, of the gross gate takings. If the total payments did not amount to £3OO in any one year the association undertook to pay 50 per cent, of the surplus income for that ydar to make the total up to .£3OO. The City Council was prepared to enter into an agreement for three years at a rental of £2OO per annum; 50 per cent, of any surplus of income over expenditure, not to exceed .£3OO in any one year, dnd 15 per cent, of the gross takings when permission is granted to charge for admission. Last night a letter was received from the council stating that the Basin Reserve would not be available for cricket until the agreement on tho above lines was executed. The letter stated that the Reserves Committee did not want to emIbarrass the association but thought that it was imperative that the agreement should be signed. "The unsatisfactory condition which obtained last year will not bo permitted to continue," concluded the letter. Several members pointed out that there were only two representative fixtures hero next year, now that tho English tour had been abandoned, and it was quite possible that if bad weather came for several Saturdays during the season" tho association would bo on a losing wicket. Mr. Wilson said that the association's fixed revenue did not permit of the council's terms. .He thought that there was a slight misunderstanding which could easily bo removed. It was decided to appoint a committee consisting of Messrs. C, G. Wilson, M. J. Crombie, H. J. Buck, and R. Johnston to wait on tho committee. The question of "mushroom" clubs was fully discussed, and members expressed tho opinion that some drastic steps would have to be taken. Mr. Fulton said that what was wanted was better management of the clubs themselves. It was proposed that no club be allowed senior status unless it could place and maintain at least three teams in the field. In the event of non-compliance the club at fault shall, under tho proposal, forfeit all ehampionship points obtained after the default occurs until such time as tho terms of the resolution aro complied with. With regard to the junior clubs, the same conditions shall apply, with tho exception that at least two teams must be maintained. It was ultimately decided that a committee consisting of Messrs. Salmon, Baker, and Fulton be sot up to report to the next meeting on the various grades and the constitution of clubs, with a view to consolidating the clubs.