OTAGO CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 4

OTAGO CRICKET

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION SENIOR COMPETITION UNALTERED Alter a lengthy discussion in committee the executive of the Otago Cricket Association last night rejected the recommendation of the annual meeting of delegates that the number of teams in the senior competition be reduced. It was ultimately decided, however, that arrangements be made during the season to bring about the amalgamation of the High School Old Boys’ and Christian Brothers Old Boys’ Clubs with other existing clubs, with a proviso that a meeting be held in February to discuss reports on the negotiations. Mr J. M. ..Fraser presided over the following:—Messrs A. H. Allen, A. Martin, W. Brinsley, D. A, Solomon, E. Ferguson, C. G. Austen, J. Robson, W. Brookes, W. Arniitage, E. G. Williams, J. Dunning, 0. Stevens, W. Rowlands, and Dr- A. Reid.

When the question of the number of teams to constitute the senior competition came forward for discussion the meeting was divided as to whether the matter should be dealt with in committee or not.

Mr Rowlands moved that the matter be discussed in open meeting, expressing the view that members should not bo afraid to voice honest opinions on the subject. Mr Martin opposed an open discussion on the grounds that while the matter would probably be dealt with in a friendly way, the public might wrongly criticise their statements if they were not viewed in the same light. Ho considered that it was a matter for the association.

Mr Robson favoured a committee discussion because he did not think that their views should be blazoned before the public. Mr .Allen said that the proper piooedure was to consider the matter in committee, otherwise tho chairman would have to run the meeting on formal lines' and thus prevent a lull discussion. The Chairman: That is so. The motion was lost on a show of hands. COMPETITION POINTS. „ Consideration was given to a recommendation from the annual meeting that a change be made in the method of allocating points in the association's grade competitions. Mr Dunnjng suggested that the system used by the Canterbury Association was tho best that he was aware of, and that meant 8 points an outright win, 5 points for a first innings” win, one point for a loss cn the first innings, three points for a draw on the first innings, and four points for a draw on two innings. The matter was referred to the Grade Committee for a report, the new system to cover all two day matches. _ On the motion of Mr Rowlands, it was decided that the points in the junior grades (one day' matches) be the same as last season. OPENING OF SEASON. The opening of the season was fixed for October 12, and it was decided that the entries for the senior grade close on October 7. and that entries foi all other grades close on October 14. COMMITTEES. The following committees were appointed Management.—Messrs W. Brookes, F. N. Binney, J. Dunning, E. Ferguson, W. Brinsley, C. G. Austen, E. G. Williams, and I)r Reid,

Grade.—Messrs Brookes (convener), Binney, Austen, and W. Armitage. Ferguson (convener), A. G. Valentine, O. Stevens, and W. Rowlands. Coaching.—Messrs Williams (convener), Robson, Martin, Dunning, arid Dr Reid.

■ It was eifplained that the senior vicepresident (Mr A. H. Allen) and five representatives from ground members automatically became members of the Management Committee, and until these representatives' were elected it was decided to hold over the establishment of a Finance Committee. The election of ground members’ representatives was left in the hands of a sub-committee to convene a meeting tliis week. INJURED UMPIRE. A letter was received from the Otago Umpires’ Association asking for assistance towards the expenses incurred by Mr 'E. A. Hamel as a result of an injury received during the umpiring of a came last season. The Umpires’ Association had made a grant of £3 3s to Mr Hamel, whose expenses had amounted to £4O. The association was also investigating the possibility of instituting an insurance scheme for umpires. . ; . A motion that the association make up the grant to £2O was withdrawn when Mr Robson moved that the matter be left in the hands of the Finance Committee to report. The latter motion was seconded by Mr Martin, and car- " lt‘ was also decided that the Finance Committee gave consideration to the question of insuring umpires. COUNCIL DELEGATES.

Mr A. H. Allen was appointed as Otago’s delegate on the New Zealand Council, end Mr J. Ramsden was reelected as the association’s local delegatG' RANFURLY SHIELD.

On the motion" of the chairman it was decided to write to the Otago Rugby Union congratulating its team on winning the Ranfurly Shield.