CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 22453, 25 September 1936, Page 5

CRICKET

UMPIRE'S ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeing of the Otago Cricket Umpires’ Association was held last evening. Mr W. W. Mackersey occupied the chair. There were present: Messrs W. A. Rowland, A. Mackav, W. Butler, R. Oxley, W. Hughes. W. M. Beal, J. R. Douglas, O. M'Queen, J. Macdonald, E. A. Hamel, G. Crosby, L. Diehl, and J. Porteous. Presenting the annual report and balance sheet, the Secretary, on behalf of the committee, congratulated members upon the excellent manner in which they had carried out their duties last season. Inclement weather had caused the curtailment or abandonment of several games and made conditions generally unpleasant for umpires. An increase in membership had been recorded, but there was still room for new members. Umpires had been provided for all senior and_ intermediate matches, and for more important junior matches. Members, appointed by the New Zealand Cricket Council, had officiated in the Wellington v. Otago Plnnket Shield match, and in the Otago v. M.C.C. match. Members had controlled the Otago v. Southland and Otago v. North Otago fixtures. Mr R, C. Torrance had officiated in the Wellington v. Auckland Plunket Shield final at ‘Wellington. Messrs R. C. Torrance and W. Butler had acted in the New Zealand v. M.C.C. match at Dunedin. The Fielding Cup had been awarded to the Grange and Albion teams, who had tied with most points. The association desired to thank the various dubs for providing afternoon tea for the umpires and the senior dubs for financial assistance. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £6 6s 6d, which was considered satisfactory. The report and balance sheet were adopted. OFFICE-BEARERS. The election of office-bearers resulted:—Patron, president of the Otago Cricket Association; vice-presi-dents, Messrs G. M'Queen and A. Mackay; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. A. Rowland ; committee —Messrs W Butler, J. S. Douglas, and W. Hughes; delegate to the Otago Cricket Association, Mr W. A. Rowland; selector, Mr W. A. Rowland; auditor, Mr J. Porteous. GENERAL. Two new members were accepted into the association. „ A letter was received from the Wellington Umpires’ Association suggesting the formation of a New Zealand Umpires’ Association with the object of raising the. standard of umpiring. After the matter had been fully discussed it was decided that the Otago Association could not see its way to support the proposal at the moment. It was moved that a night be set aside each month for the discussion of problems. It whs left with the secretary to arrange nights to suit his convenience. The meeting closed with hearty votes of thanks to the chair and the honorary secretary.