HAMILTON CRICKET CLUB.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 487, 14 September 1899, Page 2

HAMILTON CRICKET CLUB.

A meeting of the above club was held on Tuesday evening, the Rev. J. M. Mitchell being voted to the chair. Mr A. E. Manning (the Secretary) read the balance-sheet, which showed a debit balance of 13s 4d. The assets are estimated at £5 10s. The expenditure had exceeded revenue, which was due to entertaining the Waitekauri Cricket Club.

Tho report was adopted on the motion of Mr Dean, seconded by Mr Going. Mr Manning said that the opinion was growing that it would be better to form a Union and play their matches in Hamilton, instead of going outside and playing with the Waipa Cricket Association. They could not get a team to travel, and cricket had languished, and many men who were desirous of playing could not get a chance. To test the feeling of the meeting he moved that the Hamilton Cricket Club be wound up, and that the outstanding liabilities be met by disposing of the existing assets, the balance remaining to be handed over to the Union. lb was agreed that it was useless to carry on on the old lines. At present they were not doing good to themselves or cricket. By adopting the plan he suggested there would be a chance of turning out some good cricketers.

Mr Speight seconded the proposition. It was impracticable for members to journey in order to play outside matches. In reply to a question, Mr ManniDg said there would be no difficulty in disposing of the club's material to the clubs it was proposed to form. At present the club was under the control of the Waipa Association, from which it was proposed to secede.

The motion on being put was carried unanimously. Mr Manning then moved " That an Association be formed, to be called " The Hamilton Cricket Association." This was carried.

Sixty-four names were given in of those willing to join the new combination.

The following officers were elected : Patron, Mr F. W. Lang, M.H.R. ; President, Mr Geo. Edgecumbe ; VicePresidents, Rev. J. M. Mitchell and Mr J. S. Bond ; hon. sec, Mr Manning ; Preliminary Committee, Messrs Speight, Meachem, Mahon, Dean, Kinloch and Varney.

The Chairman auuounccd that Mr C. Speight had won the bat for the highest batting average last season, and Mr Johnson the ball for bowling. The following were the averages :—Batting : C. Speight 8, Mahon 7'5, Dean 6'9. Bowling : Johnson 14 wickets for 3*3, S. Meachem 11 wicketa for 4"6, Hammond 7 wickets for 7'3. .

Mr Dean moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Manning for his services as hon. aecretary. Mr Creightou seconded. The motion was carried with applause. Mr Manning, in returning thanks, said he would continue to do all in his power for the advancement of cricket in the district.