CRICKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 1819, 1 October 1886, Page 26

CRICKET.

NOTES BY SLIP. The Otago Cricketers' Association is not in a flourishing condition, and, iudging by the general apathy displayed at last Saturday's meeting, it has not a very promising career before it. If cricketers waut to hold their own against boating, bicycling, lacrosse, and tennis, they will certainly have to bestir themselves and evoke a little more enthusiasm in the game. Tenni6 is no doubt cricketers' most formidable rival and already, both in the Australian colonies and afe Home it has buffered considerably in consequence of the increasing popularity of Lhe former game. If evidence were needed in proof of this statement, one has only to look at some of themoreimportant sporting journals for it. In Land aud Water there are often 16 or 17 columns devoted to " tennis," while " cricket " is allowed a solitary page. The fact, too, that such famousf players as the Lytteltons have relinquished cricket in favour of tennis is also a fact worth noting. But ''to return to our muttons" the principal matters discussed at the ineetihg on Saturdaywere the motion in re junior cup matches and the letter from the Wellington Association. For my part I think the association have done well in abolishing the junior cup matches, and I believe they should have gone a step farther, and also abolished the senior cup contests! These cup contests as a rule do more harm than good. They are not needed in football, and I see no earthly reason why they should be introduced in connection with cricket. Mr Rose spoke out boldly on this subject, pointing out that senior players were tempted to remain in the junior club contests in order to assist in winuing a paltry piece of material for their clubs. The only other matter that evoked any discussion was a very sensible proposal made by Mr Cohen to increase the subscription to 10s. Mr Cohen gave good reasons for his motion. Among others he stated that the half-crown subscription had now been given a three years' trial and it was his firm belief that unless it was increased they could not carry on much longer, The motion, however, was lost, notwithstanding the fact that the necessity for increasing the subscription was strongly urged by Messrs Cohen, Rose, and Spring. Mr Rose then moved that the subscription be raised to 7s 6d, and on the rejection of that motion he proposed that it be ss. He said he thought it disgraceful that the junior members should come there and stonewall a proposition like that. It was positively disgraceful. These members for the sake of taking part in the annual meeting paid a subscription of half-a-crown — a paltry sum that it was hardly worth the trouble to collect. Even if the subscriptions were raised to 10s he would guarantee that they could easily get 100 members at that figure. These remarks brought Mr W. J. Moore to his feet with a denial that it was the junior members who were stonewalling the proposal. He objected to Mr Rose's remarks. Mr Rose, interrupting, said he would withdraw the remarks in order to save Mr Moore the trouble of a reply, and The proposition was then put and lost by 16 votes to 13. i Mr Shelton then moved that honorary mcmi bersbe admitted] on payment of a half -guinea subscription, such members to have certain rights to be arranged by the committee. Mr Cohen hoped the meeting would be unanimous in rejecting this proposition. It was coming it a little too strong, he thought, to ask | outsiders to support cricket to the extent of 10s 6d when the men who ought to support it grudged ss. Mr Kennedy seconded the motion, which was lost on the voices. The following is the text of the letter received from the Wellington association : — | Dear Sir,—- 1 am instructed by my association to write to the Auckland, Otago, and Canterbury associations with a view of promoting a match between a combined New I Zealand team and the Australian team about to visit our colony. Such a match could not j fail to attract a very large amount of interest in whatever centre it was played, and I feel confident that a New Zealand eleven could be got together who would render a very good account of themselves, and I shall therefore be glad to know the ideas of your association upon this subject. The principle matters to be considered are how the team is to be selected and where the match is to be played, and I merely wish to throw out the suggestion that each of the four provinces — Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago — should send three men, say their two best bats and their best bowler, with due selection of course as to fielding capacities. Another plan would be, if it were practicable, that a match should be arranged North v. South, and the best eleven selected from the 22 players. On the first suggestion one of the 12 men would have to stand out, but this would have to be arranged by themselves or some competent judge of the merits of the various players if such a man could be found. The second suggestion is one which ought to be carried into effect* in any case, and become an annual fixture, to be played in turn at each of the chief centres. This is a match which would create a vast amount of interest, and I am sure that the proceeds would be more than sufficient to cover expenses of visiting members, and it would therefore, also become a means of helping the funds of each association in turn. I would like to receive your idea upon this subject also. With regard to where the match should be played, this is a matter in which the convenience of the Australian Eleven should be studied, and I would suggest, apart from all biased feelings whatever, Wellington for central position, Christchurch for ground ; but upon the matter, as I said before, the visitors would have to be considered. I should be glad if you would lay the letter before your association with the least possible delay, and waiting the favour of your reply,— l am, &c, E. Wilson-Duret, Hon. Sec. Wellington Cricket Association. The following is the statement of receipts and expenditure of the Otago Association for the past season : — Receipts. — Balance in bank from previous 6eason,£3 3s 8d ; raembers'subscriptions,£lslos • clubs' entrance fees, £9 9s ; entrance fees junior cup, £4 14s Gd ; benefit match (receipts £9, less expenditure £5 9s), £3 11s ; trial match, £3 7s • interprovincial match, £34 3s 6d ; outstanding £2 lls ;— total, £76 9s Bd. Balance, £9 17s 4d Expenditure.— S. Jacob's, material, 18s fid; Dunedmlron and Woodware Company,£3- junior trophy 1884-5, £5 ss; Evening Star, £4 lls; Evening Herald, 16a 6d ; Daily Times, £7 10s 6d ; interprovincial match, £40 6s 2d; Carisbrook Ground Company (on account £15, less included in interprovincial £12 lls 8d), £2 8s 4d; sun-

4ries, JBI 16s 4d ; balance, £9 17s 4d ;— total, £76 9s Bd. The balauoe-sheet shewed: — Liabilities — Oatstanding accounts (£l3 13s 2d, less cash in hand £9 17s 4d), £8 15s lOd ; junior trophy 1885-6, £10 103; balance, £51 14s 2d;— total, £66. Assets. — Pavilion, £60; material, £6; — total, £66. Lohmann's batting figures against the Australian team are so curious that they well deserve the distinction of a paragraph to themselves. This is the young cricketer's record for the year so far in Australian matches : — First Second lims. Inns. Total. May 20.— Oval, Surrey v. Australians ... 45 (n.0.) 8 (n.0.) « July 5 — Manchester, England v. Australians 32 (b) ... 33 July 19. — Lord's, England v. Australians ... 7 (n.0.) ... 7 July 39.— 0va1, Surrey v. Australians ... 31 (n.0.) ... 31 In five innings it will be seen he has scored 121 for only once out ; average, 121. Major Wardill has written as follows regarding an article in the Melbourne Punch of May 20:— I need hardly say on behalf of myself and the team of Australian cricketers, and indeed on behalf of all the Australian colonists now in London, I entirely repudiate the statements and sentiments contained in the article. Nothing could hare been more hospitable than Lord Sheffields treatment of myself and team and many Australian friends on the occasion referred to, and no match could have been played with a more friendly feeling between the rival teams. I am positively certain that no previous Australian team visited Lord Sheffield's Park were ever treated otherwise than in the most hospi- • table and oricket-like manner, and all those who know the great interest and love which Lord Sheffield entertains for the game, and the pleasure it gives him to see good cricket, would never dream of attributing to him any> of the vile charges made in the issue of the Melbourne Punch. My team have not found in any of the games that they have played that they have met any of the "sharpers" alluded to. We have been met by all classes of cricketers in the most straightforward, honourable, and pleasant manner. No one has tried to score a point, or tried to "get at us" (as stated by the Melbourne Punoh), and I trust that Engliro cricketers, and the English people generally, will disassociate Australian cricketers and all lovers of the game from any part in the publication of the contemptible attempt to lower the standard of English players, and especially of trying to impute the most sinister motives to Lord Sheffield, Dr W. G. Grace, and others, who have always been sincere friends of the Australians whenever they have appeared on English crioket fields. The incident which occurred in connection with the dismissal of Mr Kitcat, the Marl- j borough captain, in the second innings of the Rugby match at Lord's on Friday last, was as curious a one as the cricket experts have had to deal with for a very long time. The case has been represented in different forms in various papers, and it will be best therefore to give it as stated in The Times by Mr E. L. Bateman, a thoroughly practical and capable critic. Mr Bateman's letter to The Times was as under :— j In your account of the above match you refer to the difficulty which arose by reason of a mistake made by one of the Rugby bowlers going on to bowl from an end from which he was not, by the laws of cricket, entitled to bowl, he having already changed twice during the Marlborough innings. I would ask permission to state what really happened. One of the Marlborough batsmen was caught off the third ball of of the over thus wrongly delivered, and the bowler's error was then — but not till then— discovered. What was to be done? The bowler had distinctly infringed a law, for breaking which, however, there is no assigned penalty. It was eventually decided that it was obligatory on the bowler to finish his over, but that he had put himself out of court from bowling at eitiher end. The batsman retired in accordance with the decision of the umpire. Substantial justice in a case of much difficulty was thus done, and the decision was accepted^, with good humour by both sides. Cricket will as usual be well represented in the new Administration. In the Cabinet itself there are two players at least (says Cricket) who have taken honours at Lord's. I need hardly say that I refer to Lord; George Hamilton and the Hon. Edward Stanhope, who both figured in their day in the Harrow Eleven. In the minor post outside the Cabinet cricketers are in great force. The Lord Chamberlain, the Earl of Lathom, will be better known to the cricketing public under his old title of Lord Skelmersdale. Mr Akers-Douglas, the patronage secretary, was president of the Kent County Club last year, and the Hon. Sidney Herbert and Colonel Walrond, the two Junior Lords of the Treasury are both cricketers. The latter, indeed, promised to act as captain of the team of English amateurs to sail on the 19th of this month for America, though I much fear the Autumn session may disarrange his plans. Hon. W. St. John Brodrick,Jbhe Surveyorgeneral of Ordnance, is also a player, and among the other appointments of interest to Cricket readers I may mention those of Lord Harris as* Under-secretary for War, and Mr Walter Long, Secretary of the Local Government Board, though the last-named has not yftt, it is said, been definitely fixed. v The instance of a batsman being at the wickets for a part of each of the three days of an important match are so rare that Abel's feat at the Oval for Surrey against the Australians recently deserves special notice. Three years ago Walter Wright went in for Notts against Gloucestershire at Trent Bridge and was not out till the third morning. In 1880 Jupp performed a precisely similar feafcfor Surrey against Yorkshire, at Sheffield. In the latter case rain considerably reduced the period of actual play, and in this respect Abel's was much the better performance. The above are the only cases of late years — that is, be it understood, in eleven a-side matches of public interest The most notable achievement of the kind is that of Mr W. G. Grace, of the United South of England Eleven, against twenty-two of Grimbsy, at Grimsby, in July 1876. On this occasion Mr Grace, who went in first, was in all the first two days and a part of the third. He was batting 13| hours and carried his bat through the innings for 400 in a total of 681. By the way, it is worthy of remark in connection with the extraordinary achievement of Abel and Maurice Read that the two professionals in the one innings they had beat the Australians off their own bat. As a matter of fact they scored together 330, whilthe Australian aggregate of the two innings was only 292. The Surrey Eleven, it may be noted, have several records this year. To them belongs the highest innings as well as the best individual score against, and also the most decisive victory over any of the Australian teams. They also boasted the smallest innings in a county match,

though Staffordshire's second score of 18 against Norfolk at Norwich recently has robbed them of this distinction. Their total of 440 against Kent at Beckenhatn is, too, the largest of this season in an important county match. The following are the averages of the principal Home batsman in important matches up to August 1. No one is included who has not played 11 innings or got an average of 25 .— I , |

<Phe Nottinghamshire Eleven were able to claim a creditable victory over the strength of Surrey in the return match begun at the Oval on Monday. Both counties had been showing such good all-round cricket this season that particular interest was attached to the meeting, and as the three last fixtures had all been unfinished it was hoped that this would at least have a definite result. Rain fell heavily on Monday morning, and Mr Shuter, who won the toss, decided to take the innings. The choice, as it happened, was an unfortunate one, for the weather suddenly cleared up, and Notts had all the best of -the luck in the wicket in going in sscond. The ground played treacherously at the outset, and Surrey were all out in about two hoars and a-half for 99. Their dismissal for so small a score was mainly due to the fine bowling of Attewell, who took eight of the 10 I wickets at a cost of 56 runs, a most creditable 1 performance. The wicket was improving fast J when Notts began their innings on Monday ' afternoon, and before play ceased 84 rnns had been got for the loss of only one batsman, Shrewsbury.' The Surrey bowling on Tuesday was very good, and the Notts innings of 272 actually occupied altogether 6hr 40min. Scotton was batting altogether s|hr, and thongh not one of his very best innings, as a display of defensive cricket it was worthy of the greatest praise. Surrey, going in a second time on Tuesday afternoon, had made 38 runs when play ceased for the loss of two good batsman, Messrs Shuter and Roller. Mr Walter Read made a very plucky attempt yesterday to Bave the game, but, excepting from Lohmann, he received only poor support. The latter, after the first few overs, played really good cricket, and while he was in there was just a chance of a draw. He helped Mr Read to add 91 for the fifth wicket. Mr Read, who fell to a very fine running catch at long on, was in 3hr 40mm for his 74, a most invaluable innings, and an admirable display of cricket. Notts had only 22 to get to win, but this number cost them three of their best batsmen. All three wickets fell to Bowley, who clean bowled Barnes and Gunn with successive balls. Hampshire v. Sussex.—The Sussex eleven had an easy victory in their return match, finished at Southampton recently. Though rain fell heavily early on the Monday, Sussex occupied the wickets till the following morning, scoring 360, of which Messrs Newham and Lucas, who added 166 while together, contributed 221. Messrs Lacey and Seymour batted well, but Hants were not able to put their opponents in a second time, and were beaten by an innings and 53 runs. Derbyshire v. Gloucestershire. — This the first match between the two counties was played at Derby. The wicket was wet, the first three Gloucestershire batsmen(thebrothers Grace and Mr Radcliffe) got runs, but after this'the ball had all the best of the bat. Painter hit freely each time, but no one else on the Gloucestershire side afterwards got double figures except Mr Radcliffe and Woof. The bowling of Mr W. G. Grace and Woof was so good when Derbyshire went in that W. Chatterton alone got double figures, and the follow-on was only saved by 3 runs. In the second innings Mr Docker and W. Chatterton played really good cricket, but the home team were unable to make up for their heavy deficit on the first hands, and were ultimately beaten by 47 runs. Davidson, [an addition to the Derbyshire Eleven this year, proved his ability as a bowler thoroughly in this match. In Gloucestershire's second innings he took 9 of the 10 wickets at a cost of only 42 runs. In appreciation of this highly meritorious performance, a collection was made on his behalf resulting in a presentation of £7. The bowling figures of Mr W. G. Grace, Mr Page, and Woof deserve notice. The Lancashire Eleven had an easy victory in their first match of the season against Cheshire, played at Manchester. Going in first, though they were only a little over four hours at the wickets, they were able to realise a good total of 322, to which Messrs Hornby (Lancashire) and Barlow and Robinson were the chief contributors. In the second innings of Cheshire Davenport and Pointon were responsible for 100 out of 126 runs from the bat, Davenport in particular showing capital cricket. Briggs again bowled with great success for Lancashire. He took 11 Cheshire wickets for 55 runs. Derbyshire was beaten by Kent by an innings and 13 runs. Scores—Derby, 104 and 102; Kent, 219. Somerset beat Hampshire. The scores were 145, and 96 and 91 respectively. Stoddart's great innings of 485 was compiled in six hours' batting during one day. Certainly a wonderful performance. A. Ashford, playing for West 'London against Brqndesbury Uuited on July 29, clean bowled 7 wickets for 6 runs. His analysis read—B overs, 2 maidens, 6 runs, 7 wickets. The following letter appeared in the London Sportsman*.— Sir,—The extraordinary game of cricket lately played between the Australians and Surrey carries the minds of old cricketers back to the records of old-time matches in one of which James Aylward, a member of the Hambledon Club, stood at the wickets for three days on Windmill Down against the best bowling of the period. As the game has gone on improving the batting appears to have overcome the bowling, and to remedy these inequalities various changes have been made from time to time. But the batting has again collared the bowling, and it is quite time another change was made. Formerly two stumps only were used, and the ball frequently passed between without disturbing them, and it was often a moot question whether it had passed through or not. To get

rid of this difficulty, and to give bowlers a better chance, a third stump was added. The bat again obtained the preponderance, and round-hand bowling was introduced. Previous to that time— now about 60 years ago — the ball was delivered straight out from under | the arm-pit, and the chief points studied were to pitch a length and straight to the wicket, but in order to give it more effect a high delivery was cultivated. Of course, the higher a ball is ! delivered the more acuto is the angle formed at | the point of its contact with the ground, and the | quicker does it rise to the bails. j When this bowling came to be easily played by experienced batsmen, a twist was put on. The twist not only makes it more difficult for a batsman to judge which direction a ball is taking but also causes it to spin upwards when struck, so producing catches. Thus there are three principal qualifications necessary to be attained before a man can become a good bowler— viz., a good length, ahigh delivery and a twist either off or on to the wicket. If in addition to these a bowler can vary his pace and length at will, so much the better. But the < question in my raind is, cannot these qualifica- " tions be better attained by underhand bowlers than by rouadhand? Although it must be admitted that the ball cannot be delivered so high, yet I submit it can be delivered from under the armpit high enough to rise to the bails, and would be more effectual, as the 'proportion of balls going over the wicket would be far less. Roundhand bowling has become so fashionable that no one now thinks of cultivating the old style; yet I venture to a3sert that if bowlers were to study and practice it with the same assiduity as the other, there would be a far greater number of tolerable bowlers and that excellence would be attained by the few, as is the case only at present. Bowlers and batsmen would again be placed on more of an equality, and we should not have so many unfinished matches as now. Independent of this, the attitude of an underhand bowler when delivering a ball is far more manly and graceful than a rouudhand — the one firm, upright, and natural, running in a stri ight line from the starting point to the delivery point, with paces of an equal length ; the other with arms and legs flying about in an ungainly, awkward manner, body all a-twist, and running crooked with unequal paces. If this change if not made, another remedy would be to add two inches to the height of the stumps. J.T. Hornsey-rise, August 2. ' i Writing from England on August 4, Lilly- ■ white says that Palmer is of opinion that the | Australians will have to finish up by playing the Parsees. One of Palmer's jokes I suppose. A correspondent of the London Sportsman writes concerning the partiality of the Surrey crowd during the match between the Australians and England at the Oval. He says : " I could not help noticing the unfair partisanship oft the 'Surrey crowd' on both days. On Saturday, when the colonists' wickets were falling with more rapidity than was agreeable for them, the rapturous applause of the crowd came from all quarters ; but when Giffen got hold of a loose ball of Lohmann's — and he did bowl many loose ones on Saturday — and put it to the boundary in fine style there was not the faintest approach to a cheer. Also, many of the brilliant things due both in the field and with the bat by the Nottingham men were received with but scant notice, which, if they had been done by the Surreyites, would have met with rounds of applause." The Australian Eleven dined on the 13th ult. with Mr Henniker Heaton, M.P. Thoy afterwards inspected the library, and were shown over the Houses of Parliament. At the annual general meeting of the members of the Melbourne Crioket Club, the chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that upon one item in the accounts some explanation might be necessary. This was an item amounting to £1083 12s on account of the English tour. This was the preliminary expense in connection with the undertaking and since the report had been prepared an amount of £400 had been received in connecwith it, while they knew from advices from England that it would very shortly be reduced to nil, and that a small balance would probably remain on the other side. The Melbourne Cricket Club has close upon 2000 members. That is the limit to which it was decided to confine the list. It is proposed shortly to increase the limifc. The following are the names of the office-bearers for the ensuing year : — President, Mr F. G. Smith ; vice-presi-dents, W. H. Handfield and F. G. Moule ; hon. treasurer, Mr H. S. Barlow ; committee — Messrs J. M'Laughlin, H. C. Harrison, C. Pleasance, J. Garton, C. Forrester, W. H. Moule, and J. Menzies. Arrangements have been made by Shaw and Co. to play three matches in Australia against the M.O.C. Australian Eleven, viiz — two in Melbourne and one in Sydney. One of the Melbourne matches is to take place on January 1, 3, and 4. This last arrangement may suit the Melbourne Cricket Club very well, but it will hardly be an agreeable one to the public, as it will prevent the full strength of Australia meeting Shaw's powerful team at Melbourne. The intercolonial cricket match will be player! on December 24, 27, and 28, and thus all the best players of Sydney would be available for selection in the match, whereas, if a combined match is played later on at Melbourne many of the Sydney men will be unable to obtaia the necessary leave of absence to take part in the contest. Moreover, the meeting of the Australian Eleven, with an English team which will embrace most of those players who have brought about so many Australian reverses is hardly likely to be an attractive spectacle, especially as Scott, and probably Bruce, will not return to Australia. It appears that, according to the present arrangements, there will be no chance of the combined strength of Australia meeting England until late in the season. It is to be hoped steps will be taken to band together a strong colonial team to oppose the Englishmen immediately after the return intercolonial match with Victoria, to be played at the end of January. A. Shaw's team of English cricketers ask £100 and their hotel and train expenses to visit Bathurst. It is probable a public meeting will be called to consider this proposal, as the venture is too great for the cricket club to underdertake unassisted. The following are the full scores in the match between the Australians and Lord Londesborough's team as cabled to the Melbourne papers : — Lord Lonhesbobough's Team. Grace, c... ... ... ... 92 Scottou, c " ... ... ... 71 Bates, c... ... ... ... 53 Barnes, c ... ... ... 45 Barlow, b ... ... ... 10 Uylett, b ... ... ... 48 Thornton, st ... ... ... 22 Briggß, c ... ... ... 21 Flowers, c ... ... ... 82 Tylceote, c ... ... ... 31 Collins, noft out ... ... ... Bfi Sundries ... ... ... 21 Total ... ... „. 558

Australian Eleven. First Innings. Palmer, c ... ... ... 22 JOTIO3, C... ... ... ... 21 f Blaekhani, c ... ... ... 18 • Boimor, retired hurb ... ... 46 Trumble, b ... ... ... 24 Jai'vis, b • ... ... ... 18 Bruce, c ... ... ... 23 Garrefcfc, c ... ... ... l M'llwraith, b- ... ... ... 4 Scott, not out ... ... ... 8 Spofforth, b ... ... ... 31 Sundries ... ... ... 12 Total ... ... ... 231 Second Innings. Palmer, st ... ... ... 75 • Jones, not out ... ... ...108 Giffen, not out ... ... ... 1 Sundry ... ... ... 1 Total for one wicket... ... 191 The match was drawn. OTAGO CRICKETERS' ASSOCIATION. The annual general meeting of this association was held in Wain's Hotel on Saturday evening. Mr J. P. Spring occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. The following reports were read and adopted : — The season 1885-88 was even less satisfactory from a cricket point of view than that of the previous period. Your committee regret exceedingly the apathy displayed by the public as to this ouce'popular sport. They leel satisfied, however, that until better club cricket is shown, so as to interest the public from week to week, the attendance at interprovincial and other matches under the auspices of this association will continue small. To obtain better club cricket seems almost impossible without better grounds than the present state of the pub ie reserves offer, or than are now obtainable in the absence of any suitable level sites within the means of single clubs to lease or purchase. Something has been done after many years' effort to make it possible to better utilise the Town Belt and other public reserves foe cricket, football, and other aporfcs by tho passing of " The Public Reserves Amendment Act 1885 "; and your committee trusts all ttie members of this association will take the trouble to get ii copy of that act and make them selves familiar with it, so thatat a more suitable time than the present advantage may be taken of its provisions. In the present state of tho corporation finances, to move in the matter this year would be inopportune. An interprovincial match with Canterbury was played on tho Oarisbrook ground during the Christj mas week, and after a good game resulted in Otago being defeated by 81 runs. For the visitors Mr Ootterill gave ail excellent display of batting, his score being 76 runs (not out), and Mr Millton contributed 46, and was mainly instrumental In winning the match. The play of the home team was dis- ! appointing. Mr E. T. Gollinson, however, maintained his reputation as a batsman by contributing i a fine innings of 59 on the first day. Under the present agreement to play home and home matches, Olago was due Canterbury a visit in I February. Unfortunately it was found impossible to get a team to go to Christchurch. An explanation and apology was sent to the secretary of the Canterbury association, which, witti the courtesy we have always received at the hands of our Canterbury friends," was accepted, with the further expression that if the Otago Association desired it the ! home and home matches could be dropped; that will be a matter for this meeting to decide. Certainly if there is any likelihood of a recurrence of last season's conduct, your committee think It would be better to revert to one interprovincial match, especially so as there is almost a certainty of the Australian Eleven visiting us in November, and a possibility of the English Eleven now on its way to 1 Australia coming here Inter in the season. Letters [ have been received from the agents of both these i teams, and favourable terms have been offered them to come. The Nelson association are sending a team to play in Christchurch this season, and are desirous of meeting an Otago team there, too, if possible. That matter has been left to the incoming committee to deal with. Unfortunately, the benefit match played in aid of the funds of the association did not result in an increase to the finances beyond £3 11s. What your committee think is a very good suggestion has been made by the Roslyn Cricket Club -viz., that a match Town v. Country should be played before the interprovincial match, so as to give the selectors of teams an opportunity of judging the merits of country players. An alteration in the rules of this association would, however, be first necessary to allow its executive to arrange other than interprovincial and intercolonial matches. By the balance sheet to be read it will be seen that instead of there being any income from the gate money of the interproviucial match, the expenses are £6 2s Btl greater than the receipts. By clubs and members' subscriptions, however, our indebtedness has been reduced some £10 compared with last season. A consideration of finance naturally suggests the question of whether the present subscription of 2s 6d should bo increased. On that matter your committee is divided, and make no suggestion. Notices of motion have been handed to the secretary, which will bring the whole question before you, so that you will have an opportunity of expressing your views and deciding one way or the otber. After a very caretul consideration, and after obtaining an expression of opinion from all clubs, your cormnittee decided to.continue the Junior Cup contests last season under slightly amended rules, and* they were accordingly proceeded with, prizes to the value of £7 7s and £3 3s, for first and second highest scorers respectively, being offered. The result of these contests and their value in the interests of cricket are the subject of a separate report from the Junior Cup Committee. Kbpobt of Junior Cup Committee, Season 1885-6. The past season has been a very successful one asfar as Junior Cup contests are concerned. Twelve teams entered for these contests, as against nine in the previous season t two of these, however, the Albion Second and Phconix Third, withdrew before the series was completed. Considerable interest was taken in the matches, which were productive of some very good cricket. At the beginning of the season the rule* were gone over carefully by delegates from the different ciubs, and several alterations and additions were made. The amended rules were found to be an improvement upon the former ones, although they did not give entire satisfaction. s The North Dunedin Club are the winners of the first prize, value £7 7s, with the score of 33 points, and are to be congratulated upon the form displayed by them, having won seven out of eight matches played. The Waverley Club, with 28 points, win the second prize, value £3 3s, they also having been very successful, winning six out out of eight matches plnyed. The following clubs scored 20 points and over : — North Dunedin ... ... ... 33 Waverley ... ... ... 28 Southern . ... „, ... 25 Carlton ... ' ... ... ... j>2 Phconix 2nd ... ... „, 20 Yourcommittee are of opinion that these contests tend very much to improve junior cricket ; the bowling and batting displayed being a decided improvement upon that of previous seasons, while the fielding of some of the teams was equal to that displayed in senior matches. ' It was intended to have shown the best batting and bowling averages in this report, but owing to some of the clubs failing to send in reports of matches the committee are unable to do so. The winning clubs can now obtain the prizes upon application to the secretary. It was resolved that the home and home matches with Canterbury be abandoned, and the annual interprovincial match reverted to. Mr Shelton moved with reference to the Junior Cup matches — "That the Junior Cup mftches remain in abeyance during the coming season, and that in their stead the Senior Cup matches be revived." — Carried. On the motion of Mr A. H. Shelton it was resolved—" That the Roslyn Club be thanked for their excellent; suggestion re town and country matches, and that this meeting reoorutnendsthe

incoming committee to communicate with the North Otago and South Otago Clubs with tha view of matches being arranged between their combined teams and Dunedin elevens, to enable the Selection Committee to have an opportu-» nity of estimating the merits of all the players in Otago." The Wellington Association wrote regarding a match between a combined New Zealand team and the Australian Eleven who are about to visit the colony. It was suggested that each of the four provinces— Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago— should contribute three .' men to the formation of such a team, and that the place where the match was to be played should be left to the convenience of the Australian Eleven. ■ It was pointed out that Wellington would be preferable for central position, and Christchurch for ground. An annual matoh between the North and South Islands was also mooted, Mr Cohen moved — " That in the opinion of this meeting it is almost impossible to arrange for ■ an annual North and South match ; also that the proposal regarding a combined New Zealand team, be left to the committee." He said he did not think the proposal in the letter would suit. Such a match, should for the convenience of all parties, be played in Christchurch; and moreover, Nelson was fully entitled to put two men in the team. Office-bearers for the ensuing year were elected as follows : — President, Mr J. P. Maitland; vice-presidents, Mr M. Cohen and Dr Coughtrey; hon. secretray and treasurer, Mr F. Home; selection committee, Messrs T. L. Austin and Glen. It was agreed to make the following alterations in the constitution of the association : — To add the following words to the end of Constitutional Law 2: "Country associate clubs to be allowed to appoint delegates by proxy, who must be members of the association." To alter Constitutional Law 1 to read as follows : " That an association be formed, to be called the Otago Cricketers' Association, to have the entire control and management of town and country, interprovincial, intercolonial, international,and other association matches approved of by the committee." A good deal of discussion ensued on a proposal by Mr Cohen to raise the annual subscription to 10s, the motion being negatived. The mover, the president, and Mr H. Rose spoke of the necessity for this change, which was opposed by Messrs Kennedy, Shelton, and Moore. The motion was negatived by 14 votes to 7. Mr Rose then moved that the subscription be 7s 6d, and on that motion being lost he proposed that it be os. The last proposition was also rejected by 16 votes to 13, and it was resolved that the subscription remain as previously, viz., 2s 6d. I At the conclusion of the business Mr P. Home, the hon. secretary and treasurer of .the 1 association, was presented with a beautiful and valuable silver tea and coffee service. The Chairman in making the presentation paid Mr Home a very high compliment for the manner in which he had carried out his various duties.

Inning. Buns. Shrewsbury ... 25 10-49 W G Grace ... 28 1078 M Read ... ... 25 875 \V W Read ... 39 1011 S W Scott ... 16 525 Q Kemp ... 16 497 Spillmart ... 12 371 Barnes ... ... 18 ssO P. Mar*hant ... 18 394 A.bel ... ... 26 768 Gunn ... ... 20 550 0 G Radcliffa ... 14 396 A. N Hornby ... 24 641 Lord Harris - ... 15 403 0- G Hearne ... 25 658 Scotton ... ... 25 657 a W Bainbridge ... 18 473 (f P Vernon ... 21 549 * Hon M B Hawke ... 20 521 Humphreys ... 18 465 W E Roller ... 20 5U r A. Turner ... 18 461 [iOhmanu ... 19 476 Score. 227 148 186 114 94 125 87 156 96 144 88 101 161 73 75 110 79 160 76 68 102 174 107 Aver. 41*24 38*14 35 34*25 32*11 31*1 30*11 3010 30*4 29*12 27*16 28-4 26-17 2613 26*8 26*7 26-4 26-3 26*1 25*15 25*14 25*11 251