CRICKET CLUB.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1366, 9 October 1883, Page 2

CRICKET CLUB.

A numerously attended meeting of the above Club was held on Saturday night at the Albion Club Hotel, Captain Winter in the Chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman then road the following balance-sheet as produced by the Secretary, and which was adopted :— STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE OF THE POVERTY BAY CRICKET CLUB FOR YEAR ENDING 6th OCTOBER, 1883. Dr.

Balance-sheet as read confirmed, Geo, J. Winter, Auditor.

Mr Evans wished to know what claim the Borough Council had on the cricket ground. The Chairman stated that the Club originally had the ground for five years, two of which had lapsed. The Secretary stated that upwards of £22 Ils 6d was owing for subscriptians. He thought about half of this amount might be got in. The amount owing by the Club was £l5 19s sd. It was resolved that the list of defaulters ’ be road out. This having been done, the Secretary said he had not asked all these gentlemen for their subscriptions. Mr Aislabie thought that all members who had not paid their subscriptions should not be allowed to play. The Chairman agreed with the last speaker. He thought it very discreditable that a few members should be made to bear all the expense. Dr. Leggatt said last year they had no ground to play on, but this year they were in a far better position, and the prospects of the Club wore much brighter, Mr I''. T. Morgan thought it very unfair that a few members should have to bear all the expense and trouble of getting the ground in order, and then for others to step in and have the benefit. He proposed that all joining members pay an entrance fee. Mr Ratcliffe said he thought all members should pay their fees when they became due, He did not think it the Secretary’s duty to go dunning for the money. Mr F. T. Morgan thought that all members should bo asked for their fees, and if they did not pay them they should be made pay an entrance fee as well before they could play. Mr Ratcliffe said he found it more trouble to get in the Cricket Club subscriptions than any other thing he knew of. Mr Aislabie thought u Post card might have some effect, Mr Thelwall thought it would be beat to send letters, as post cards might offend. Mr Aislabie moved that a circular be sent to members informing them that their subscriptions were due, and asking whether they wished to bo continued as members.—Carried. Election of Ofiicibs, Mr Ratcliffe proposed, and Dr. Leggatt seconded that Captain Winter be President. —Carried.

Mr Ratcliffe proposed, and Dr. Leggatt seconded that Mr Evans be Vice-President. — Carried,

Mr Nolan proposed, and Mr Evans seconded that Mr Morgan be Secretary and Treasurer. —Carried. The Chairman said it was most important that a good committee be elected. The following gentlemen were then elected as a Committee for the ensuing year: —Messrs E. K. Brown, R. J. Reynolds, J. W. Nolan, Ferris, Aislabie, Morgan, and Thelwall. The Chairman then stated that it was desirable that a permanent captain be elected.

Dr. Leggatt thought it a great mistake to elect a permanent captain. Let acy match eleven elect their own captain. It was injurious to the prospects of the Club to have any man bossing about and saying “ you shall not do this, or you shall not do that.” If any one was required to keep order a committee man would be quite sufficient. Captain Winter thought it very necessary to have a permanent captain, who would have authority to regulate the practice, as it often happened that a man was very reluctant to give up the bat when his time was up, and then again, he had often seen a man walk off the ground when his batting was over, without taking his turn at the bowling. Such conduct was most unfair, and he thought that if a permanent captain of the ground was appointed it would most likely put a stop to that sort of thing. Mr Aislabie thought it advisable that Captain Winter be asked to act as captain of the ground, and in his absence Mr Morgan act as vice-captain. He thought this would be the best arrangement.

Captain Winter cordially agreed with the last speaker. It was most necessary that someone have charge of the ground. Dr. Leggatt could not agree with this proposition. This sort of thing should be left to the Committee. It was most objectionable that members should be “ bossed ” about by anyone. If anyone behaved in the manner stated by Captain Winter it would soon bo put a stop to by all other members refusing to play with them. After a considerable amount of discussion, Mr Ratcliffe proposed that Captain Winter be elected permanent captain of the ground. Dr. Leggatt moved us an amendment that no permanent captain be elected. The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder, and the original motion was carried.

On the resolution that all members under the age of 20 subscribe 10s 6d per annum being put for confirmation, Mr Morgan pro* posed that the junior cricket club be amalgamated with that one.

Mr Aislabie thought this would be objectionable as the junior members would cut up tho ground in such a manner as to render it always unfit far playing a match, Mr Ratcliffe was of the same opinion with the last speaker. Mr Nolan was with the last speakers, and thought the subscription was low enough for juniors. The motion was withdrawn. Mr Aislabie proposed, and Dr, Leggatt seconded, that no member be allowed to take any part in the proceedings of the Club after the 30th October, who had not paid his subscriptions. Mr Nolan wished the words “without reasonable excu ie” added, and that a circular be sent to each member, informing him of this resolution.—Carried.

Mr Nolan proposed that the Club be opened on the first Saturday in November.— Carried. It was resolved that all members inside the town boundaries be called town players, and all outside be called country players. Some discussion took place as to the necessity of a frequent change of bowlers so as to give young members more practice at bowling. Captain Winter promised to give all a like chance of bowling practice. It was resolved that no member be allowed to take a dog on to the ground, Mr Nolan proposed, and Dr Leggatt seconded, that the committee be empowered to elect members.—Carried.

New Members. The following gentlemen were then pro. posed and elected as new members Mr Fraser, proposed by Mr Aislabie and seconded by Mr Morgan ; Mr Dawson, proposed by Captain Winter and seconded by Mr Ratcliffe; Mr McCrae, proposed by Mr Fraser and seconded by Dr Leggatt; Mr Beresford, proposed by Mr Aislabie and seconded by Mr Thelwall; Mr S, M. Wilson, proposed by Captain Winter and seconded by Mr Aislabie ; Mr Locke, proposed by Mr Aislabie and seconded by Mr Thelwall ; Mr McDonald, proposed by Mr Aislabie and seconded by Mr Thelwall. It was proposed that members be elected by a show of hands in lien of ballot.— Carried. The Chairman asked Mr Nolan whether he produced any statement of accounts re the Recreation Committee, as he thought the Cricket Club should know, as a good deal of their money had been expended on the Recreation Ground. He thought a balance-sheet should be presented. Mr Nolan expressed his willingness to furnish one as soon as they liked. Mr Thelwall wished to know who was in charge of the Club tools, &c. Captain Winter stated that Morgan Brothers were allowed one quarter of an acre free as a remuneration for looking after the ground, watering and rolling it, and clipping the hedges, &c. Mr Evans thought it would be advisable to offer the Morgan’s some further small consideration, and get them to look after all the propertyIt was decided to leave-the matter to the committee.

An unanimous vote of thanks was passed to the resigning Secretary, Mr Ratcliffe. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.

1882, £ s, d. October 5—To balance . 4 16 8 ,, Subscriptions as per cash booK ... . 27 11 0 August 30— ,, Borough Council . 20 0 0 £52 7 8 October 6—To balance ... . £7 17 8 Cr. 1883. £ s. d. £ s. d. March 8—By Croll and Ingle 11 5 0 March 22—By sundry accounts as follows —Crawford ... 1 0 —Somervell ... 0 0 —Lewis ... 0 1. 0 —Luke ... 0 0 —Sigley ... 0 15 0 —Adams ... 1 0 —James Browne 0 6 —Jt'etty charges 0 6 6 5 2 0 April 19—Erskine—Luncheon 3 15 0 —Wilson 1 10 0 May 11—Grass seed 2 15 0 June 2—O'Meara—Repairs to stumps ... 0 6 0 July 30—Crawford 1 1 0 August 15—Morgan—roller 3 10 0 Sep t. 12—Hall— Ploughing, ground, &c., 13 12 0 Sept. 15—Martin and Gregg —Labor 1 14 0 October 5—Balance, Bank of New Zealand... 7 8 8 Cash in hand... 0 9 0 7 17 8 £52 7 8