WELLINGTON CRICKETERS’ ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5759, 13 September 1879, Page 3

WELLINGTON CRICKETERS’ ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the above association was held at the Athenseum last night, W. H. Levin, Esq., M.H.E., being voted to the chair. There were about thirty members present. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the annual report—a summary of which appeared in our yesterday’s issue—was read. Upon the motion of Mr. Hacohton, seconded by Mr. SrflßD, the report was receiit. 1 and adapted, and ordered to be printed and on>-’'t..;d.

Mr. S;. .u proposed that his Excellency the Governor be asked to become patron of the association.

Mr. H-UJOBTON seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. Tusxnf, seconded by Mr. Dixon, Mr. Edward Pearce was unanimously elected president of the association. The remaining office bearers were then elected as follows :—Vice-presidents, his Worship the Mayor (W. Hutchison, Esq., M.H.R.); W. H. Levin, Esq., M.H.R. ; the Hon. Randall Johnson, M.L.C. ; Messrs. J. S. M. Thompson, George Hunter, and T. Buchanan; treasurer, Mr. Hamilton; secretary, Mr.. Speed; general committee, Messrs. A. Duncan, J. W. Brown,JH. B. Haughton, Willis, E. Suuley, R. Leckie, J. P. Kennedy, E. Diion, Sara. Waters, J. E. Page, George Fisher, and H. Lyon. Match Committee —Messrs. Kennedy. Speed, Dixon, Hamilton, and Blacklock. Some discussion took place as to whether a paid collector should be appointed to get in funds, or whether the committee should undertake the work. It was ultimately resolved that the committee divide the town into districts, and canvass for subscription!, and that Mr. Besley be also appointed to collect the promised amounts. A vote of thanks was then unanimously passed to the late executive, coupled with the name of Mr. Edward Pearce. Similar votes w«re also passed to the subscribers and supporters, and the Press.

Mr. S. Waters said the Council had decided to cover in the drain, which ran through the ground. This was not done before it was wanted, and he thought they should thank the Mayor and Councillors for their action. He referred especially to the action of Councillors Dixon and Fisher in this matter, and moved a vote of thanks to the Council.

The motion having been seconded, was carried unanimously. • Mr. Dixon replied, thanking the meeting for the vote. He also stated that there was a good reserve being prepared at Newtown, consisting of 37 acres, which would make an excellent recreation ground. Councillor Fisher also replied, and in doing so referred to the fact that the gates of the reserve had been closed. Mr. McDougall had complained to him about it, and he had told Mr. McDougall that the trust deed expressly provided that there should not be any thoroughfare through the ground. Mr. McDougall thought they should have a thoroughfare through the reserve, and he had also suggested that a resident of the neighborhood should be appointed a trustee to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr. Crawford. There ws» also a proposition that the present Trust

Board should be done away with, and that a Board of the immediate residents of the neighborhood should he appointed. He should like to have an expression of opinion fr au the meeting upon the subject, as it would no doubt be discussed in the Council shortly. With reference to the new ground spoken of by Mr. Dixon, he did not think it would be fit for use this summer. A discussion took place, the general tenor of it being averse to there being a thoroughfare through the ground, as it destroyed the pitch. It was also pointed out that the reserve was the property of the whole city, aud not of the immediate residents. A vote of thanks was, after some discussion, p issed to the Caledonian Society for having so long allowed the association the use of the grand-stand. The retiring secretary, Mr. Salmon, was also thanked for his ser vices. A vote of thanks having been passed by acclamation to the Chairman, that gentleman replied at some length, urging unity of action upon the p--.it of the members. The proceedings then closed.