RUGBY FOOTBALL

Chronicle (Levin), 4 March 1946, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

OTAKI CLUB MEETS A meeting of supporters of the Otaki Football Club was held on Thursday evening, Mr. T. V. Cahill presiding. There was an attendance of some-twenty persons, and considerable interest was taken in the procedings. The minutes of the 1939 meeting, the year the club went into recess, were read, while the credit balance was reported to be £3/9/6, with a probable £2 to come. It was decided to enter senior and junior teams for the championship and if sufficient inducement offered a third team. To assist the funds of the club donations were suggested by Mr. McBeth, who gave £1 to start. Others gave donations, including one of £5 from Mr. Woolf, bringing the total to £10, with promises of more.

Officers The following were, elected officers for the year: — Patron: Mr. W. McBeth; vice-patron: Mr. H. B. Edhouse, president: Mr. T. V. Cahill; vice-presidents: Mesdames Royal, Richards, McFetridge, Kelleher, Cahill and Cooksley, Rev. P. Temuera, Father Venning and Messrs. L. G. Lowry, M.P., F. Edwards, Wallington, Ballinger, Atmore, R. Eaton and Brooks; treasurer: Mr. E. J. Cook; auditor: Mr. W. Wilson; secretary: Mr. O. B. Nilsson; coaches: Messrs. Mita Johnson and Marsh Hakaraia; club captain: Mr. W. Gordon; management committee: Messrs. M. Johnson, J. Sievers, Kelleher, Enoka and Woolf; trustees: Messrs. Cook and Cahill; delegates to Horowhenua Union: Messrs. Cook, Enoka, Sievers, Cahill and Woolf. It was reported that seventeen playing members had two club members had served overseas in the war, and that five had paid the supreme sacrifice. The latter were Ehi Ropata, D. Hakaraia, L. te Hana, H. Roera and J. Jenkins. As a tribute to the deceased, members stood in silence. Those who have returned are: Arda Hakaraia, N. Gordon, M. Chaney, Peter Hakaraia, G. Johnson, L. Higgott, J. Palmer, R. and K. Merwood, J. Winterburn, J. Huff, P. Ropata, J. Ballinger and P. Tahiwi.

Various suggestions were made relative to a memorial trophy, and finally it was agreed that a seven-a-side tournament be held on the Otaki ground once each season. The securing of a suitable trophy was left to the management committee. It was felt that considerable interest would be shown in the tournament, and that outside teams would also compete. It was thought that the union would probably arrange for a suitable trophy to be played for. The membership fee was fixed at 2s 6d, and the hope was expressed that all subscriptions would be paid promptly by both seniors and juniors. It was agreed that the club's colours be emerald green.