CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1919, Page 7

CRICKET.

Australian team to visit Britain, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyr'ght. London, Sept. 24. 1 The Marylebone Club telegraphed Australia inviting a represehtativd cricket team to visit Britain in 1920. GOOD PROSPECTS VOR SEASON. Mr. E. Whittle presided over a meeting of cricket enthusiasts held In tho Soldiers' Club last evening. There were about 30 present, including many veterans. The committee reported having visited the proposed Racecourse grounds and decided on the area required, it being estimated that £3OO would be required to put the ground in order. Deputations to the Borough Council and Jockey Club ri-ccived favorable replies It was decided that the timo was not opportune to solicit subscriptions and canvassing was after £4O had been guaranteed for three years, and donations amounting to £3O were given. The principal difficulty foreseen was tho practical impossibility of maintaining an extensivo ground with the limited finances available. The committee 3till considered it would be undesirable to load the Association with the cost till further opinions were obtained from cricketers. it was also felt that it was the duty of the Borough authorities to follow the precedent of other town* to provide the grounds and wickets, and cliarg« a rental for upkeep. Ths committee rocomended that, for this season's crlckc-*:, wickets be laid down as follows: (a) Recreation Ground, 1 match and ?. practice (matting); (b.) Tukapa, 1 concrete wicket. With the grounds sufficient playing facilities woula then bo available. It was also fell that .junior cricket should be encouraged as far as possible. The chairman stated that the business before the meeting would be to appoint certain officers and ascertain what the prospects for tho season were. He expected to see the, old clubs competing cijce more. What con-; cerned the presen« meeting was securing grounds. Regar«.!:;;g the constitution of tha Association he road the rules, and after,| that it was decided/ to elect the following j officers: President, Mr. E. Whittle; vicepresidents, to be elected by the various oluto3; secretary, Mr. Stainton, pro tern; treasurer, Mr. P. Willis; hon. auditor, Mr. E. Lash. After some discussion it was decided that the' meeting resolve itself Into a General Management Committee. It was decided that a report and balancesheet of the last season's operations should be presented at the next meeting. Efforts will bo made to have club meetings held as early as possible to permit of a further meeting of the Association on October 9th. Mr. Stainton said it would be useful if they could ascertain how ninny clubs were likely to enter tho competitions. Chibs represented were: Freezing Works, Wnlroka (36 members). Now Plymouth, Old Boys, High School (two teams), Inglewood and Tlkorangi, and probably Urenul. Regarding grounds, it was mentioned that four would probably be available, the Freezing Works' team having decided to endeavour to secure the use of iho ShowgTounds. Mr. Stainton then suggested that each club should be responsible for the getting in order of each playing ground. He stressed the point that It was hardly fair that one club should prepare a fine pitch, and aaother become so lax that hard slogging was required to secure a boundary. Each club should be held responsible for a pitch. Mr. Weston then suggested that the New Plymouth and Old Boys' Clubs should control tho Recreation Ground, Waireka, the Tukapa pitch, and the Freezing Work the Agricultural Grounds. Mr. ClaTke {Freezing Works) said they intended to interview Mr. Connett on the matter. Regarding securing grounds a deputation of four. Messrs Whittle, Moyes. Weston and Yardley, were elected to wait upon the Borough Council in connection with the the matter Appreciative remark waro made of the successful efforts made by tho committee in starting operation* and their fiuccess In securing donations, ijuarantees, etc., and on the motion of Mr. Stainton, a vote of thanks was passed. The following were Appointed a Working Committee: Messrs. Tardily, Clarke, Osborne, Wills, and Hesketh. Mr Stainton to convene a meeting when the grounds are known to be available. Regarding junior cricket It was admitted that this had been neglected In the past, and hopes were expressed that greater attention would he given tfilß grade as wei ! as school competitions. In regard to the lattor It was pointed out that the grounds would be available nn Saturday mornings. The question a? to Thursday matches was raised, it being pointed out that (he Walrekl Club would play on that day. Other clubs would hare Saturday, and it was stated that there was' a big possibility that after January next a universal Saturday half-holiday would be recognised In Taranaki, and In that case Waireka would be on tho same footing as the other tcsms. In the .meantime, games could be arranged. A communication was received from the Nomads (Marton), desiring a game at Christmas, and this was accepted.