Cricket 1892

MARCH 24, 1892 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME, 45 WARW ICKSH IRE COUNTY CLUB. The annual general meeting of the Warwickshire County Cricket Club was held on March 12, at the Colonnade Hotel, Birm­ ingham, under the presidency of Lord Willoughby de Broke. The notice of motion by Mr. L. C. Docker in favour of a paid secretary had drawn together between 250 and 300 of the members. After the adoption of the report and balance sheet, Mr. L. O. Docker moved, “ That, having regard to the fact that the annual income of the Warwickshire County Cricket Club is about £1,200, and that the turnover is some £3,000 per annum, the interests of the club can best be served by the appointment of a paid secretary, who shall devote his whole time and attention to its business.” He pointed out that the income last year from subscriptions and donations was £1,162, and from sundry sources £230; the turnover was £2,700, and the wages paid £705, figures which, he contended, showed that the club had grown beyond the capabili­ ties of an hon. secretary. Mr. Ansell had given up an enormous amount of time to the interests of the club —his enthusiasm and energy were undoubted, they were simply extraordinary, and his services snould be recognised in a very marked manner. But was it fair to ask any gentleman who had other things to do to devote the necessary time to the work of the club? There was another aspect of the case—Warwickshire was most unpopular with other cricket clubs. It was a very serious thing to say so, but he defied contradiction. Why was it? The other counties complained of the policy that had been pursued by the club at the meetings of the Cricket Council and at the meetings of the secretaries at Lord’s. The club started clear, now it was in debt, and was the most dis­ liked by some of the best counties in England. Mr. C. E. Mathews seconded the motion. An amendment by Mr. Cond, “ That the whole matter be referred back to the committee for their further consideration,” was seconded. Councillor Arthur Smith, in opposing the resolution, said Mr. Ansell, whether paid or unpaid, was just as much the servant of the club committee in that he tacitly undertook in acepting the office to abide by their direc­ tions. The club might be looked upon as unpopular in other counties; but he denied that that unpopularity was due to any one man. The policy of the club was marked out by the committee, and Mr. Ansell simply promoted abroad that policy. He certainly was not to blame.—Mr. Bainbridge remarked that the only point he was doubtful about was whether the club could get a good man for the sum mentioned. He thought the club would liave to pay at least £250. He certainly had heard everywhere of the unpopularity of Warwickshire. The mistakes of the club, he contended, were the engagement of outside p ofessionals and the attempt to pass a scheme tor the promotion of minor counties. All things considered, he thought it was in the best interests of the club to have a paid secretary. Mr. Ansell said he had never hesitated to sacrifice himself for the good of Warwickshire cricket, and he would not hesitate at that moment; but when it was charged against him that the county was unpopular through his action, his reply was that if any unpopu­ larity arose from his action it was because he had done his duty and performed the work for which he was sent. He did not believe, and would not believe till the vote was taken, that any body of gentlemen would send him to promote a scheme against which there was the greatest opposition, and which required every atom of his courage to carry out, and then be so mean as to displace him for obey­ ing the instructions he had received. Any unpopularity arose mainly and largely from the acquisition of Davidson and Quaife, although they were naturally slightly unpopu­ lar through their advocacy of the rights of second-class counties. Ultimately the amendment was withdrawn. The voting was then taken on the resolution, against which a large majority voted, and the Chairman, amid loud cheers, announced that the motion was lost.—Other business of a mere formal character was transacted. T he Clapton C.C. has gained an extension of the lease of its ground for Uve years. M r . W. E. R o l le r won two prizes in the recent Golf Tournament at Biarritz. T he highest score made by Lord Sheffield’s Team is 424 against Twenty of Ballarat. C o lon el L . V. L dyd , of I Z., is the Conser­ vative candidate for Chatham at the General Election. T h e Hon. Alfred Lyttelton is engaged to be married to Miss Edith Balfour, a relation of the Prime Minister. D r. E. R. O g d e n , the captain of the Gentle­ men of Canada in England some years ago, has been dangerously ill. He is now better. T iie Australian eleven against Lord Shef­ field’s Team was chosen by Blackham, Giffen, and Turner. A. B annerm an carried his bat through the innings for Carlton Club at Sydney, on January. He scored 41 out of 70. F r in k H ea rn e scored 90 for Western Province v. Claremont at Cape Town on February 6th. W. T. G ra n t , Edge Mount, Chichester Road, Croydon, has succeeded G . Frisch as honorary secretary of the Addiscombe Club. Mr. W. L. M urdoch has the best batting and Mr. J. J. Ferris ;the best bowling average of Mr. W. W Read's Team just leaving South Africa. L yo n s was presented with a cheque for £50 by a prominent supporter of Australian cricket for his brilliant score of 175 for Com­ bined Australia in the second match against Lord Sheffield’s Team at Sydney. A sum of £100 raised by public subscription was divided between Bannerman and him. C r ic k e t B alls.— C. Lillywhite and Co. have a quantity of good Match and Practice balls of imperfect color which they wish to clear, as follows: Best match 48/- 2nd match 42/- Treble Practice 36/- per doz. carriage paid. Sample 31. extra. Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, (formerly Aldersgate St., E.C.)—A dvt . H. WDIDCE, Manufacturer o f Every Article Used in Cricket, Lawn Tennis, &c., &c., THE “Special Selected’' Price 17/6- Every Article made of Best Materials Procurable. All Tennis Bats Strung with Best English Gut. Talronised by all the Leading Clubs, C ollegesand Schools in the Kingdom. Price L ists and Testimonials FREE. F aotoby — 36, Artillery Place, "W oolw ich , L ondon , S.E . 10/6 BOOTS. Our Specialities CRICKET BOOTS. TENNIS CYCLING ATHLETIC SHOES. PlflKFIELDi SONS 67 & 68 , Cheapside, E.C. E t c ., E t c . And all LargeTowns