NORTH TARANAKI CRICKET ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1919, Page 7

NORTH TARANAKI CRICKET ASSOCIATION.

• MEETING OF DELEGATES. ;'* There was an attendance of about 25 at the first meeting of delegates to the recently revived North Taranaki Cricket Association, which was held in the Soldiers' Club on Thursday night. Mr. E. Whittle presided, and there were present delegates from the Tikorangi, High School, New Plymouth, Old Boys, Waireka, Freezing Works, and Whiteley Clubs.

The chairman welcomed the delegates from Tikorangi, and expressed the hops that Inglewood would also be represented next meeting, as both these clubs had proved good sportsmen in the past. It was resolved to hold botli Thursday and Saturday competitions, competing teams to notify the secretary in writing, together with the names of their delegates and vice-presidents, on or before October 14. It was stated that entries, so far, had been received as follows:—Seniors: Old Boys,' Tikorangi, High School, Waireka, New Plymouth (2),' Freezing Works, and Inglewood; Juniors: Tikorangi, High School (2), Whiteley, and Freezing Works. All these clubs have entered for the Saturday competition. There if a possibility of a Thursday competition, for which probable teams are: Waireka, Waitara, and New Plymouth. . The secretary stated that there was a balance of 4s 6d in hand when the operations of the association ceased, five years ago, and that, therefore, the association was practically making a fresh start. Additional officers were appointed as follows*: Championship competition: Messrs C. G. Bottrill, L. O. Berg, and A. H. Osborne. The appointment of a selection committee was held over. Vicepresidents: Each affiliated club is to appoint one vice-president. It was stated that four grounds were at present available, viz., the Recreation Grounds, Tukapa, Agricultural Grounds, and High School. Further wickets would be required, especially for the juniors, and Mr. Bottrill stated that one of the junior teams was arranging for a wicket on the racecourse. In the course of further discussion, it was stated that, with Inglewood and Tikorangi grounds, there would be ample grounds. It was resolved that the deputation appointed wait on the Borough Council at its next meeting in connection with the proposal that the council should assist in the upkeep of the wickets* on the Recreation Grounds and Tukapa.

Mr. Stainton considered that the cricketers had a very as the Borough Council had never done anything to assist sport. He thought the time had arrived when a sports ground should be provided by the borough, on which tennis and other sport could be centralised. , Mr. Girling referred to the damage done to cricket grounds by the playing of football thereon. He suggested that the Borough Council should be asked to allocate one of the grounds for cricket only v In the course of discussion, Mr. Whittle referred to the attempt that was being made to take a portion of the Tukapa reserve for school purposes. He considered that the, association should strongly protest against the illegal action of one section of the community trying to take a reserve from another section.

A delegate considered that this matter should be brought before the Borough Council by the deputation. He considered that the proposed exchange, in which no money or equivalent was offered, should be strenously opposed. New Plymouth was now fairly well off as regards reserves, but he hoped the deputation would strongly voice its protest against the attempt to. take away any portion of the reserve.

It was resolved to adopt the eight ball to the over proposal. ft was resolved to open the competitions orf' Thursday, October 23;

It was decided to recommend clubs to see that their players come on the ground in flatmels. i Some discussion took place on the present method of awarding championship points, which provides that three points be added for a win on a two-innings l match and two points for a win on ths first innings, similar points being deducted for the # losing team. In the case of a tie in a' two-innings match, each team is to be. awarded one and a half points, or if a tie on the first innings each team will be awarded one point.

A motion that the question of deducting points from the losers should be abolished was held over, and will be brought forward at a future meeting. It was resolved that the cup be allocated to the senior competition and the Association Shield to the junior competition. If necessary, a play-off. will take place between the Thursday arid Saturday competitions. Mr. Whittle suggested that each club should endeavor to nominate an possibly with a view to forming an umpire's association.