CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 105, 19 September 1912, Page 7

CRICKET.

NORTH TARANAKI ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. Tke annual meeting of the North Taranaki Cricket Association was held on Tuesday night. Mr E. Whittle (New Plymouth Club) presided. Other delegates present were: Messrs K. Bain, (United Service), Lawrey and Lash (Law), E. J. Andrews (Waitara), Avery, Gwillim, F. Robertson, and Simpson (Carrington Road), G. Gudgeorl, W. Matthews, and D. CI egg (lnglewood), the secretary (Mr Gordon), and the treasurer (Mr. W. P. Nicoll). Mr. J. Sullivan was also present oil behalf of the school clubs AXNUAL REPORT. The annual report and balance-sheet, which was unanimously adopted, showed that the season was unfavorable both from a player's point of view, as well as financially, the reasons for the former being a wet season, and the divided interest in the -nine occasioned bv the two half-holidays. It was felt that'the management o; the Taranaki Rugby Union was justified in moving in the direction of a poll being taken for the adoption of Saturday as the universal half-holiday, which, if carried, would have the effect of putting cricket, a.-, well as the other branches of sport, 011 a more sound basis. The balance-sheet will show they started last season with outstanding accounts of seven of eight pounds, and subsriptionfi overdue of ten or eleven pounds. At the present time there were accounts to pay to the amount of £l2 18s. and subscriptions owing, £5 12s <id, so that the financial position of the Association would require serious consideration by the incoming committee. Unfavorable as last season was, both as regarded weather and the defection of clubs, they covered expenses for the season. As regards the competitions, the position was most unsatisfactory. Clubs had the greatest difficulty to get members, and the junior teams practically fell through early in,the season. The competition was left unfinished'. In the Saturday competition Law were successful in winningthe championship, with United Service as runners-up. .During-the season two teams fisited here, one from Wanganui, to whom they lost, and one from South Taranaki, whom they defeated. The gates { though not large, covered expenses. They wished to thank Mr Ilardy for his ser-1 vices as delegate to the Cricket Council, j The school competition for the Whittle shield was well contested, and the shield was won by the Central School. It was almost impossiblo to give a fair report of the performances of the different club teamp in the Saturday and Thursday competition's;, only about two of the clubs took trouble to adhere to the rule, and seiul in reports of their matches. The question of grounds was a very serious one, Should be gone into tlioroughlj'. and if:possible, something definite idone. Thanks syere.due to the president for his services (tyring the part year, and for his The Tint presented by Mr Bewley was ftjon, by Mr Gwillian. The report concluded- with' references to Mr Matthews," ,iiny"bi}tting- record. OFEICMS ELECTED. Officers, ag follows,, were elected for the ensuing season j President. Mr G. Grey; secretary,, M;-.; I!.,.Simpson; treasurer, Mr W. P. Nk-oU .(.re-.cle-ctedj; auditor, Mr. 11. Stockcr;^reielectcd); sole selector. Mr G. Gudgoon,;.,ik'l/.'gate to Sports Ground Committee,' Mr .E ; Whittle; Thursday championship. .commit tee. Mefcsrs Clegg. F. Robertsour,CMii'lini, E. Whittle; Saturday championship committee, Messrs K. Bain, E. .Lash, X. Arden; delegate to the New 'ZeaMAd 'Cricket Council, Mr A. If. Hardy, of Christchurch.

On the motion Of Mr Robertson, it was decided to ftmsidef 'the Thursday competition a tie between New Plymouth anil 'jointly inscribe the names of both, cltrtik 011 the cup.. An amVndfnen.t was moved bv Mr Matthews tiiat'tkc'-ciip be awarded to the New Plymouth - :Club. owing to the default of tlifl lngl|ew<ipd Club, which would have given them an extra two points had they claimed the forfeit. The amendment, was defeated. As the moving was in a quandary as to which clubi should have the cup in its keeping, during)the season, it was decided to entrust it-Lr} the care of the secretary. The junior was awarded to lnglewood. . ■; | On behalf of, the Association. Mr E. Whittle, the Public Schools shield, which was presented by himself, to last season's winners. (Central) through the medium of Mr'.T. S. Sullivan. The Chairman stated' that when he gave the shield he felt there was 'a want, in the shape of school boys' cricket. If they did not encourage the boK's. where would they be later 011? He hoped that the competition next year Would be a keener one. and that the lnglewood and other country schools would also compete. Mr Sullivpn returned thanks, and expressed appreciation to the very active interest Mr Whittle had displayed in fostering cricket amongst the hoys. Hearty votes of 'thanks were accorded the retiring president (Mr W. Bewley) and the retiring secretary (Mr G. Gordon) and Mr Ilardy. delegate of the Association on the' New Zealand Council. Mr Whittle offered a bat to the schools committee for .the boy having (lie best batting average during the season. He was tlianki'd for, his offer, as was also Messrs Gudgeon and Matthews for their offer of huts for the best batting and bowling averages respectively, in the Thursday competition. Mr Avery gave notice to move in the direction of altering rule 13. to the effect that all disputes in connection with matches be dealt with by a committee comprising delegates from the various clubs, each club to be represented by one _ delegate.