CRICKET.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 93, 17 September 1874, Page 2

CRICKET.

CHRISTCHURCH CRICKET CLUB. The annual general meeting of this club was held yesterday evening at Warner’s Hotel. Mr W. Wynn Williams was voted to the chair. Mr E. S. Harley, acting secretary, read the following report;— Report of the committee of the Christchurch Cricket Club, season 1873-4. “ Owing to a variety of causes over which your committee had no control, they cannot congratulate members on the success of the game during the season under review, neither can they Jrefer with satisfaction to the progress made by the club during the same period. They think, however, that the want of punctuality in attendance at matches, and almost total neglect of practice which prevailed throughout the season, may be attributed to the difficulty members had in leaving business more than to any lack of interest in the game. “The number and quality of first-clasa matches played, shows a sad falling off from previous years. But the junior members of the club may be congratulated on their many successes in the field. They played no less than fifteen;|matches, of which only one was lost and one drawn. These second eleven matches are a prominent institution of the club, and your committee hope their success will continue to encourage them. For whilst they induce indifferent players to practise, they also serve to bring to the front some promising young player whose talent might otherwise remain unnoticed. The advantage of appointing a second eleven captain has again been fully confirmed, and the thanks of the club are certainly due to Mr J. H. Wilson for the indefatigable exertions he displayed throughout the season in this capacity. “ Acting upon a recommendation from the last annual meeting, your committee invited tenders for the erection of a pavilion. One was accepted, and the club now possesses a suitable room for the convenience of members, at a cost to the club of £47 3s. For want of funds, your committee were unable to provide lockers and other fittings, so much needed ; but they trust there will be no difficulty in having these supplied before the season commences.

“ The arrangements with the U.O.C. for the use of the ground have given general satisfaction, and no doubt similar terms may be agreed upon for the ensuing season. Your committee take this opportunity, however, of expressing their regret that the wickets provided, both for practice and matches, were not so good as in previous years—a defect which the U.O.C. must also have noticed, and which will doubtless be remedied. “ Your committee consider this a favorable opportunity for bringing under the notice of members the great inconvenience and loss sustained by the club in consequence of the practice which obtains of deferring payment of subscriptions until the end of the season. They recommend the appointment of a paid collector, whose duties shall commence with the season.

“In terms of a resolution passed at a general meeting of the club held on 17th July, your committee communicated with the U.C.C. on the question of joint action by the two clubs, for the purpose of procuring _ a professional bowler, but nothing came of it. Your committee are, however, pleased to report that the accession of strength which some new members bring to the club renders this desideratum less important. “ The treasurer’s statement, appended hereto, shows that the receipts for the year, including a balance of £25 16s 8d brought forward, have been £65 4s 2d, whilst the expenditure, including cost of pavilion, has been £74 ss, leaving a deficit of £9 Os lOd.” The treasurer’s statement referred to in the report, was read, and the report and balancesheet were adopted. Last year’s rules were also read and adopted. The election of officers then took place with the following result : —President—Mr W. Wynn Williams (re-elected) ; vice-presi-dent, Mr J, R. Hill ; secretary, Mr G. M ‘lntyre ; treasurer, Mr R. P. Glen. Committee—Messrs J. S. Monk, T. S. Sweet, B. Fowler, J. Fowler, and G. Turner. Mr Wynn Williams, in returning thanks for having been elected to the position of president for the fourth time, desired before sitting down to draw the attention of members to rule seven, which requires their subscriptions must be paid as soon as possible after election. He regretted that the social gatherings at the end of the year had been discontinued, as they tended to promote a good feeling between cricketers, and to bring cricket prominently before the public ; and he hoped to see them renewed. There had been considerably less interest shown in cricket last year than when there were fewer cricketers in Canterbury, and he trusted that greater interest would be taken during the present season. Personally, he would do all in his power to promote the interests of cricket and particularly of the Christchurch club. (Applause.J A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers for their services to the club during last year. Mr E. Fowler proposed —“ That the firs* match of the season be held on the first Saturday in October, between sides to be chosen by the President and Vice-president.” Mr Monk seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Fowler said that as their club was not in so fortunate a position as the United Club to be able to engage the services of a professional bowler, to promote the interests of the club and for the good of cricket, he and Mr Sweet had arranged to be on the ground at five o’clock two evenings every week during the season, and would be happy to bowl either to the first, second, or any other eleven of the club.

The thanks of the meeting were given to these gentlemen for their offers. This concluded the business of the meeting. A committee meeting was subsequently held for the election of members, when the following gentlemen were elected :—Messrs F. J. Reeder, R. T; Glenn, G. Seyton, W. Maples, A. H. Shelton, A. Cook, W. Beard, R. A. Kent, W. E. Harding, R. Triggs, and J. Booth.

Mr T. S. Sweet was appointed custodian of the cjflb property.