CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1922, Page 3

CRICKET.

NORTH TARANAKI ASSOCIATION. THE ANNUAL MEETING. PAST YEAR’S ACTIVITIES. The annual meeting of the North Taranaki Cricket Association was held at the Soldiers’ Club at New Plymouth last night. In the unavoidable absence of the president (Mr. E. Whittle), Mr. F. H. Robertson (Western Park) was elected to the chair. The following delegates were present: Messrs. C. Fairbrother (Western Park). C. J. Brottrill and E. Lash (Old Boys), F. C. Ferry, P. R. Sheppard and W. N. Stephenson (New Plymouth), G. Carey and G. S. Papps (Harbor Board), G. S. Crimp (Technical College), E. M. Fowler (Waitara), and J. W. Palmer (High School). The annual report expressed regret at the death of Mr. Walter Bewley, for many years an active member of the association, and also sympathy with Mr. E. Whittle in his recent bereavement. Reviewing the season, satisfaction was expressed with the revival of the game in the district, no fewer than 13 teams having played in the competitions. The senior championship was won by Urenui, the junior was not finished, while the primary schools was won by West End. During the season two senior and two junior matches were played against South Taranaki, all four games being won. Regret was expressed that North Taranaki was not to be given a match against the English team, which is to tour the Dominion this season, but the committee was still in touch with the council, and It was yet hoped to have a fixture arranged. The committee was of opinion that an invitation should be made early to outside associations to play matches in New Plymouth this season. The park would be in good order, and visiting teams would be of much benefit to local cricket. The question of grounds was still causing much anxiety. Pukekura Park, the School ground. Racecourse and Western Park were available, and it was hoped to have two grass wickets on Reserve T about Christmas time. In concluding the report, the committee thanked Mr. W. H. Moyes and the Jockey Clun for their generosity in placing grounds at the disposal of the association, while they were also indebted to the Press, not only for publishing the results of the snatches, but for the keen interest taken in the game whether played in town or cpuntry. The balance-sheet showed that the year had commenced with a credit of £3 7s 6d in the bank. Affiliation fees amount to £ll Os 6d. ' donations £i 10s, and ••gate” in the North v. South match £4 ss, a total of £2l 3s. On the expenditure side balls, bank charge, affiliation fee to New Zealand Council, and printing and advertising, etc., had amounted for £l9 11s 3d, leaving a credit in the bank of 15s Gd and cash in hand 16s 3d. Assets were valued at £1 Ils 9d, and 1 there were no liabilities. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, appreciation being expressed of the services which had been rendered by the secretary (Mr. G. S. Dinniss) in extinguishing old liabilities, and in other ways. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr. E. Whittle was re-elected president of the association, and Messrs. T. H. Bates, F. Bayley, A. H. Halcombe, G. B. Lowson, a. W. Ogle, J. R. Sutherland, A. L. Moore, M. Stonex, W. H. Moyes and Dr. Fookes were elected vice-presidents. The other offices were—filled as under: Delegate to New Zealand Council, Mr. G. T. Weston (Christchurch) ; auditor, Mr. E. Lash; secretary and treasuicr, Mr. G. S. Dinniss; management com<mittee. a representative from each club; representatives nn the Sports Ground Committee, Messrs. G. H. Saunders and F. C. Ferry. CAPITATION FEE. Mr. Robertson moved: "That all playing members pay a capitation fee of 2s Gd each to the association, the amouqt to be in addition to the affiliation fee, and to be collected by the captain of each club; the High School and Technical College to be exempt from the fee.” Speaking to the motion, Mr. Robertson said that the association had practically no funds at all, but if they got the half-crown from each playing member they could build up a little fund, which would be very useful in the case of touring teams, etc. Mr. Stephenson opposed the motion on the grounds that they wanted to encourage young players, but a good many of them -would not continue in the game if they had to pay any more. To his knowledge a good unany were dropping out of cricket this year simply because they did not consider they were getting value for their money. Other delegates considered that Mr. Stephenson had over-estimated the position. The game was very cheap in comparison with others, and if a man wanted a game he should be prepared to pay for his sport. The motion was then carried. THE ENGLISH ELEVEN. Correspondence was read with the New Zealand Council concerning the omission to give Taranaki a unatch against MacLaren’s English eleven, and disappointment was expressed at the fact that more games had not been arranged. The action of the secretary in protesting was approved. HAWKE CUP. With respect to the invitation from the New Zealand Council for challenges from the minor associations for the Hawke Cup, Mr. Robertson suggested that a challenge should be entered from the association. Other delegates endorsed this view, and expressed the opinion that sufficient money would be forthcoming to finance the team. It was decided to enter a challenge. It was also decided to ask the Auckland tea<m, which is going on tour, to include a match against Taranaki in its programme. TWO-DAY MATCHES. Mr. Bottrill moved that it be a recommendation to the management committee that senior (matches be two-day matches, and that first and second junior competitions be, instituted, the games to last one day. This raised the question of the formation of a country division, with senior and junior teams from Waitara, Urenui, Bell Block, Inglewood, etc., the leaders of the town and country divisions to play oft at the end of the season. After a short discussion, Mr. Bottrill’s motion was carried, and the other matter left over for a week until further details had been ascertained GENERAL. It was decided to try to arrange for two wickets to be prepared at the sports ground, so that two matches could be played simultaneously. Mr. Ferry intimated that in addition the Sports Ground Committee would also provide a wicket in the centre of the ground for big matches. A discussion arose on the points for matches, and the opinion was expressed that the present method of awarding points was not very satisfactory. It was decided that two points be awarded for a win and one for a draw; if one innings is not finished the match to be declared a draw. The advisability .of forming an umpires’ association was freely approved, and a number of names were submitted of gentlemen who wouold be likely to act. These naunes will be handed to the Rev. W. J. Elliott, who is to be asked to convene a meeting to form an association. Acknowledgement was made of the donation of a bat from Mr. Frank Wilson, to be known as the Australian Provincial Assurance Company’s bat, for the highest average in the competitions under the association's jurisdiction. The suggestion was made that the season be opened with a match between members of the association over 40 and the rest of the association. The management committee will meet next Thursday night.