CRICKET IN OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 22441, 11 September 1936, Page 13

CRICKET IN OTAGO

ASSOCIATION'S FINANCIAL REVERSE DEFICIT OF OVER £2OO ON SEASON A draft copy of tho balance sheet of the Otago Cricket Association for last season was presented to the execu- . tive last night, and revealed a dcvcit of about £230 on the season’s activities, £225 of the amount being clue to the New Zealand Cricket Council as the balance of Otago’s guarantee for the match against the M.C.C. team. Tho council asked for payment of the amount outstanding by September 28, and intimated that unless the amount was paid, no consideration could be given _to the suggestion of a rebate if the suggested payment by the M.C.C. towards the loss incurred by the tour of New Zealand comes fi'rward. Mr J. M. Fraser (president) was in the chair, others present being:-Messrs A. .H. Alien. I). A. Solomon, E. Williams, W. Brookes, E, Armitage, 0. Stevens. G. Austin, A. Martin, and Dr A. Beni. When the balance sheet was under discussion, the Chairman said that the financial position was most disappointing, though not quite so bad when it was considered that the association’s coach (Mr Badcock) had been paid £2OO towards his salary for the coming season. Exceptional expenses were incurred last season, but, fortunately, they .were not likely to recur, for some time, at any rate. Otago’s expenses in connection with representative matches in Auckland and Canterbury were unusually heavy, and the M.C.C. match provided an additional financial blow. In the latter connection, he said, the New Zealand Council had lost something like £3,400. Mr Solomon said that exceedingly poor support was accorded the Otago match against Auckland, and it appeared to him that the public of Auckland gave no more support to the game than did the public of Dunedin. It looked as if Otago would always sustain a loss on teams sent to Auckland. No good, however, would come from grumbling over the position, and they would just have to face the ptvlem and work hard to present a better balance sheet next year. “ It was indeed fortunate that tho association obtained £4OO from ground members,” said Mr Stevens, who went on to say that tho amount paid to the coach in advance could be regarded as an asset, and that there was no need to worry about the position.

The Chairman said that it had been reported to him that Canterbury last season experienced the first loss on a match against Otago for many years. It appeared to him that the future of cricket in New Zealand was rather discouraging, and it might he wondered whether the game could be continued. it was certainly surprising to him to find that, at the test match against the M.C.C. in Christchurch, when New Zealand was on top at one stage of the game, the attendance was no larger than one usually expected at Carisbrook, yet Christchurch was looked upon as the centre of cricket, in the Dominion. After some further discussion, in which members agreed that the amount owing to the New Zealand, Council should he paid by the requested date, the chairman pointed out that travelling expenses for the Otago team last year cost the association £298. as against £IOO the previous year, while the loss on the M.C.C. match was £3lB. Another heavy item was £63 7s for material, most of which was used by the Colts’ team. On the motion or Mr Solomon, seconded by Dr Reid, it was decidcd to approach the bank for an extension of the association’s overdraft in order to meet the payment to tho New Zealand Council, . INDIAN TEAM’S VISIT. The New Zealand Cricket Council wrote asking if the Otago Association could accept December 19, -1, 2- for a match against the Maharajah of JNawangar’s team, which was proposing a tour of New Zealand next season. It was pointed out that the Otago Association would have to bear no liability in connection with the match, and that the profits, if any, would be handed over to the Maharajah, who was himself financing the tour. _ In a discussion concerning the suitabilitv of the dates proposed for tho match, the Chairman said that the match came in a bad week, because the Otago team would be leaving for Wellington at that time for a Blanket Shield engagement. However, they would have to meet the wishes of the Maharajah, who intended to stay 14 weeks in the Dominion and spend bait the time visiting scenic resorts. It was agreed that the suggested dates be accepted. MINOR ASSOCIATIONS. A letter was received from the Auckland Association outlining a scheme to enable minor associations to engage in a more comprehensive programme ox iuterassociation matchs. This was desired, it was stated, in order that minor associations could work in closer relationships with the governing bodies in the respective territories and assist in fostering greater interest in the game as a whole. Under the scheme it was suggested that each island should be divided into two groups of minor associations, there being six teams in the North Island groups and four teams in the South Island groups. The teams suggested for the group in the southern part of the South Island were South Canterbury and Ashburton, Otago second eleven, North Otago, and Southland. . . ~ . Members expressed the opinion that the idea seemed to be in the right direction and that minor associations would welcome the scheme. It was agreed that Otago should intimate its approval of the scheme and its readiness to fall into lino when it was instituted.

DUNEDIN CLUB'S MEETING The Dunedin Cricket _ Club held its forty-third annual meeting last night, Mr J. Robson (president) presiding over a large attendance. Moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, Mr Robson said that the balance sheet was just barely satisfactory, as a credit balance of £1 would be shown only if outstanding subscriptions were paid. The moderately satisfactory balance sheet was due only, however, to the admirable efforts of the secretary (Mr P. Holdaway). Their practice and match wickets would soon be ready for play, and they should be proud of their ground at Tonga Park. The reason for the existence of their cricket club was not entirely for sport, however, and they could be well pleased with their social activities. The president extended a welcome to new members. and also to Mr W. Fleming, an expresident, who had given many years of valuable work to the club in difficult

times. They must remember, he said, to look forward and try to introduce new blood among the players. It was to bo hoped that, they could continue playing the third grade and Boys’ Association teams. He hoped that they would have a successful year. Mr Fleming, seconding the motion, said that members should remember that they were first a cricket club and second a social club. He congratulated players who had not won trophies as well as those who had won them. Mr If . C. Torrance said that the club should prosper now that it had its own ground at Tonga Park. Players must practise and take notice of coaching help offered. The report and balance sheet were adopted. OFFICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers for the ensuing year were elected: —President, Mr J. Robson; vice-presidents—Mrs A. Blaney, Messrs W. W. Mackersy, G. A. Wycherleys A. M'Crorje, E. S. Wilson, R. O Torrance, A. Grogan, R. White, C. Eyre, W. B. Taverner, W. W. Strang, R. G. Petrie, H. C. Carter,. T. Thomson, V. Perry. W. Latham, J. Graham, F. Jones, M.P., D. Langley, W, Fleming, U. S. Chisholm, F. W. Wedlake, U. Ross, H. J. Rackley: lion, secretary and, treasurer, Mr P. Holdaway; club captain, Mr L. E. Macassey; deputy club captain, Mr G. R. Russell; committee Messrs M. Vernon, R. Douglas, J. Arnold, C. Giles, R. Torrance, J. Macassey ; delegates to Otago Cricket Association Messrs R. C. Torrance, J. Robson, A. G. Valentine; delegate to Otago Boys’ Cricket Association, Mr R. Torrance; delegate to Sports Protection Association, Mr A. G. Valentine; bon. auditor, Mr C. Eyre; Material Committee—Messrs M. Proctor, I. C. Douglas, and J. Wedlake; Selection Committee Messrs G. R. Russell, R. G. Petre. and the club captain. GENERAL. The official opening day was fixed for October 3. Eight new members were elected. Mr A. G. Valentine said that with the introduction of the 40-bour week affecting many cricketers he would like ■to hear the meeting express an opinion on all-day play on Saturdays, so that the delegates to the Otago Cricket Association would have something to guide them. It would become an increasingly important question.—Several members expressed the opinion that until workers who were at present in doubt about the time they would be required to work knew their position, or until an almost universal Saturday holiday was in existence, all-day matches would be difficult to carry out. It would be better to hold the matter over, but the need for discussion on the subject was recognised, and it could be reopened later.—lt was decided that the delegates to the association should be left with a free hand. A motion that the old system of teams selecting their own captains be reverted to was carried. A circular letter was received from the Otago Boys’ Cricket Association detailing its proposal that, to fill the need for a closer connection between grades in the Boys’ Association and grades in the senior association, it should open a fourth grade. This would provide a place for boys leaving the Boys’ Association who were not yet up to the standard of the Otago Cricket Association third grade, and allow them to continue playing cricket.—lt was resolved that the letter'be referred to the committee for favourable consideration. PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES. The cups and trophies for leading individual performances during the season were presented as follow - M'Lean Cup.—D. M. McDonald, with 11 innings (422 runs and an average of 52.6). Senior batting, J. Macassey; bowling, R. Douglas. Second Grade A.—Batting, A. Eckhold; bowling, C. Callam. Second Grade B Veterans (First Section). —Batting, E. Kelly; bowling, R. Anderson. Second Grade B, A Team (No. 2 Section). —Batting, E. Smith; bowling, T. Brooks.

Second Grade B, B Team (No. 2 Section). —Batting, M, Proctor; bowling, L. Facoory.