CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1921, Page 3

CRICKET.

NORTH TARANAKI ASSOCIATION. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the North Taranaki Cricket Association was held at the Soldiers’ Club, New Plymouth* last night, the president, Mr. E. Whittle presiding over a fair attendance. Th© annual report stated: Through various reasons the championship competition was not played to a finish last season, with the result that honors lay between Old Boys, New Plymouth A, and Tikorangi. It is hoped that this unsatisfactory ending will be obviated this year. During the season two representative matches were played against South Taranaki, and in each instance our team was successful. The question of suitable playing grounds was again a vexed question, and one that will have to be faced in earnest this season. Had it not been for the generosity of Mr. Moyes in allowing the association the use of the High School ground, it would have been practically impassible to carry on throughout ithe season. The finances of t?ie association will need to be considerably augmented if it is to be effective in promoting and fostering cricket among the younger players. During recent years this very important work has been allowed to get in the background, and it is to be hoped that a special effort will be made this year to set out a definite plan to encourage cricket amongst the schools. The introduction of the Saturday halfholiday will do away with the Thursday competition, and it is. to be hoped that this will mean a considerable strengthening of the various clubs. During last season the New’ Zealand Cricket Council arranged a Dominion tour of an Australian eleven. Unfortunately it was impossible to arrange a match to play against a Taranaki team. However, the association had the honor , of having one of its players, Mr. J. Heskett, selected to play in the combined country teams match, but unfortunately he was unable to take his place on the field on account of business reasons. About the middle of the season, the association secretary, Mr. L W. Wlaller, was transferred to Auckland, and this caused some dislocation < in the association work. The thanks < of the association are due to Mr. Waller for the splendid work he did during his term of office. The balance-sheet (incomplete) showed a debit balance of £6 10s 6d. In moving the adoption of the report and .balance-sheet, Mr. Whittle said that during last year cricket had been at a very low ebb, but the prospects for the coming year were brighter, i The finances of the club were not too satisfactory, hut under the adverse circumstances they were lucky to be in their present, position. The report and \ balance-sheet were adopted without discussion.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: President, Mr. E. T. Whittle; vice-presiaenrs (elected from the various clubs); delegate to New Zealand Cricket Council, Mr. G. T. Weston; hon. auditor, Mr. E. T. Lash: championship committee, Messrs. A. Osborne, C. Bottrill, the hon. secretary and representatives nominated by each country club; secretary and treasurer, Mr. G. E. Dinniss; cricket representatives on New Plymouth Sports Committee, Messrs. T. C. Ferry and G. H. Saunders: grounds committee, Messrs. W. 11. Moyes. C. Bottrill, (4. IL Saunders and F. H. Robertson.

Considerable discussion arose over the question of appointing one or more selectors. Different motions proposing one, two and three selectors respectively were put to the meeting, the number of votes recorded for each being four. The president’s easting vote went in favor of a sole selector, and Mr. I'j. T. Lash was appointed to the position. In the event of Mr. Lash not accepting the position, the appointment of a selector was left in the hands of the championship committee. GENERAL. The Taranaki Jockey Club wrote stating that they would be pleased to allow Sufficient space for two pitches on the racecourse, and to keep these pitches in order. It was deeded that the championship competitions 1 should be divided into junior and senior competitions. The secretary was instructed to write to the masters of the various schools asking them to endeavor to revive interest in competition for the shield presented by Mr. Whittle for school cricket.

Tn response to a suggestion from Mr. Papps, it was decided to write to a number of clubs inviting a team to visit the association during the. Christmas holidays.

A vote of thanks was accorded the late secretary, Mr. P. E. Stain!on.

TESTIMONIAL TO HIRST. Dy Teieffrp.ph.—Press Assn—CopyrightReceived Sept. 28. 5.5 p.m. London. Sept. 28. The testimonial fund for Hirst, the famous Yorkshire cricketer, amounts to £650.