Cricket 1909

M ay 6, 1909. CR ICKET A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. I O I THE OROTAYA CRICKET CLUB, 182G— 1827. Through the kindness of Mr. A. L. Ford, of North Devon, we are enabled to place before our readers this week a copy of the minute- book of the OrotavaC.C., of Teneriffe, for 1826 nud 1827. The matter provides a very interest­ ing chapter in the history of the game, not only on account of the quaiutness of some of the resolutions, but also because it furnishes unimpeachable evidence oi the game being played in the Canaries as far back as the reign <f George IV. The Club, as will be seen, could boast its own doctor and apothe­ cary, and one of tho most entertaining features of the minute book is provided by the latter in the shape of the following declaration, which is attached to the inside cover at the beginning of the book :— “ This is to certify that Wm. C. Botts, Esqre, member of the honourable Orotava Cricket Club, has been labouring under sundry infirmities lately which have pre­ vented his attendance on the last three play days, and to-day he cannot attend without infinite danger on account of his sore leg: God save the King and my conscience. Given at my office of despatch as apothe­ cary to the Club, Port Orotava, Tenerife, 19th March, 1828. CHARLES BALL.” The minutes appropriately commence with a recital of the names of the eleven members of the Club, followed by the resolutions passed at the first meeting: - The following persons have entered into a Subscripton of one hard dollar each and paid the same to Mr. Charles Tasker for the establishment of a C ricket C lub in Port Orotava, Tenerife, viz.: Philip Baker Charles Tasker Alexander Glennie Thomas Soper Edwd. Chas. Mitchell Andrew Goodall Alfred Diston Charles Ball W. C. Botts Lewis G. Hamilton J. Williams A Meeting was held at La Paz on Sunday 12th February 1826 and the following RESOLUTIONS were 1. RESOLVED. That every Person pay on entrance One hard Dollar. 2. RESOLVED. That every Member pay one fisca weekly to the Treasurer, to pi*pnfp a fnrm 3. RESOLVED. That the whole Club be responsible for any debts incurred on its account by the Treasurer. 4. RESOLVED. That the Play-days be Sundays and Wednesdays—the hours— on Sunday morning, to meet at seven o’clock precisely and play till ten o’clock: and on Wednesday afternoon to meet at four o’clock precisely and play untill dusk: subject to alteration as the Summer advances. 5. RESOLVED. That a Book be left at the House of La Paz, for the registering of Resolutions agreed to, and a List of the names of the Members. 6. RESOLVED. That the List be called over on each Play day on the Ground to no less a number of Members than four, allowing a quarter of an hour’s grace from the time appointed : and all Mem­ bers not answering thereto, their names be inserted in the Book untill a fine of half a toston be paid to the Treasurer. 7. RESOLVED. That every Member take his turn according to the List to be Master of the ground for the day, for the purpose of calling over the List, taking charge of the Ball, Bats and Stumps and pitching the same—and also settling disputes lhat may ariee about the Ground, &c : those of the Game being referred to the Umpire. In case of absence the next on the List be­ comes Master of the ground. 8. RESOLVED. That all Persons desirous to be added to the List of those already subscribed be admit1ed by Ballot—one black ball excluding the person proposed. 9. RESOLVED. That a majority of the whole number of Members constitute a Meeting for the purpose of Election and passing of Resolutions. 10. RESOLVED. That all proposals to the Club be put into the Box containing the List, etc., signed by the Tarty proposing the same. 11. RESOLVED. That Mr. Charles Tasker be solicited to accept the cffice of Treas­ urer and of Umpire. (Accepted by Mu. CHARLES TASKER.) 12. RESOLVED. That Mr. Alexander Gh nnie be solicited to accept the office of Vice-Umpite; and in case of dispute the Master of the ground for the day has the casting vote. (Accepted by M r . A. GLENNIE). 13. RESOLVED and agreed to unanimously that Mr. Edwd. Chus. Mitchell be Secietary to the Club. (M r . E. C. MITCHELL could do no less than submit to so decisive a measure). 14. RESOLVED. That in consideration of Mr. Thomas Soper being Doctor to the Club and Mr. Charles Ball Apothecary, they be exempted from the fines and weekly subscription. (Both Gentlemen declined exemption from the weekly subscription—E. C. M.). We, the undersigned Members, agree to maintain the above Regulations. Philip Baker Charles Tasker Alex Glennie Thomas Lopez Edwd. Chas. Mitchell Andrew Goodall Alfred Diston C. Ball W. C. Botts Lewis G. Hamilton T. F. Williams At La Paz, Port Orotava, Tenerife this 12th day of February anno domini 1826. Edwd. C has . M itchell (Secretary). On the same 12th day of February a . d . 1826, the following Persons were balloted for and admitted, viz. :— / Exchanged (from ill- ) health) with Rafael j on the 30 April, ( 1826. Declined, from in- Eafael Clavijo ... ‘ ° / tte”d- J A c c e p t c d the 1 30 April, 1826. Salvador Clavijo, jun. { ^ b U ify tof™ttond?' Roque Orea E. C. M., Secry. We the undersigned agree to maintain the fore­ going Regulations of the Club. JOSE CLAVIJO. > ROQUE DE OREA. f Josef Clavijo .. A Meeting was held at La Paz on Sunday the 19th day of February 1826 and the fol­ lowing Resolutions were passed. 15. RESOLVED. That a Marquee be pro­ vided for the use of the Club. 16. RESOLVED. That the Club rent the Ground on which it has hitherto played and that Mr. W. C. Botts be solicited to agree with the Proprietor about the same. (M r . W. C. BOTTS agreed.) 17. RESOLVED. That eight Ria’s plate a week be paid to Domiugo Cordova, Medianero of La Paz for taking care of the Bats, ball, stumps, Marquee, &c. and pitching the same each play-day and also for repairing the ground when necessary :— to continue during the playing season. 18. RESOLVED. That after the List be called over, every Member draw a number from a bag provided for that purpose and take his Inniugs according to that number: and bowl after he be played out. E dw d . C has . M itchell (Secry.) On Sunday the 26 day of February a . d . 1826 Mr. Charles Sayer was balloted for and admitted----- I the undersigned agree to maintain the foregoing Regulations of the Club. CHAS. SAYER. E. C. M. (Secy.) A Meeting was held at La Paz on Sunday the 5th day of March 1826 and the follow­ ing Resolutions were passed:— 19. RESOLVED. That if any Member leave Port Orotava during the Playing-Season, for any term beyond sixteen days, he be exempted from the payment of the fine for non-attendance, untill he return. 20. RESOLVED. That if any Member tender a Resignation altogether to the Club he forfeit to the Treasury the sum of Eight hard Dollars. EDW. CHAS. MITCHELL (Secry.) A Meeting was held at La Paz on Sunday the 12th day of March 1826 and the follow­ ing Resolutions were passed:— 21. RESOLVED. That the respectiveMasters of the Ground for Wednesdays see the Marquee struck not later than fifteen minutes after the Game be finished and everything appertaining thereto safely deposited with the Person having charge of the same. 22. RESOLVED. That should any of the Members be desirous of playing beyond the hours appointed for Sundays, the Master of the Ground for the day or his Proxy be accountable for the safe deposit of the Properties of the Game. 23. 11ESOLVED. That the time for passing Resolutions and Balloting be during breakfast on Sundays, and any Member having to propose the same, to give notice of the substance of his resolution and names of the persons to be balloted for, the play-day previous. EDW. CHAS. MITCHELL (Secy.) A Meeting was held at La Paz on Sunday the 2nd day of April 1826 and Mr. Joseph Richardson was balloted for and admitted. I, the undersigned, agree to maintain the fore­ going Regulations of the Club. JOSEPH RICHARDSON.