FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1073, 11 March 1911, Page 13

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the Wellington Football Club was held in the Oddfellows' Hall last evening, Mr. T. S. Ronaldson presiding over an attendance of about fifty members.

A number of apologies for absence wero received and a telegram conveying good wishes was received from Mr. J. Murray, a vice-president, and former captain of tho club, now resident in Dunedin.

Moving tho adoption of tho annual report (already published) Mr. Ronaldson said all would agreo that their first fifteen liad done very well during the past season. Evidently, from the fact that it won tho last five matches played the teaip was in winning vein when the season closed. The moral to be drawn was that they would have to "get going" early in the season. The second fifteen and all the lower grades were at a disadvantage because thoy wore often weakened owing to their best players being drafted into senior fifteens] Tho' whole club had reason to bo satisfied with the measure of success attained last year. Mr. Ronaldson spoko with regret of the elimination of tho ' competitions for tho Levin Shield from tho programme of the previous season. Inaugurated about 1882 or 1883 those competitions had led to some excellent. sport in-past years. It was proposed this year to hold the shield "Compotitioti at the beginning of tho season.- It was also a matter for* regret that tho Christchurch Club match had been deleted from the past season's programme. In many respects a match of this kind' against an outsido club provided better sport than matches played for the championship. Tho speaker, hoped the Christchurch match would bo reinstated this year. Concluding, the president advised members to get, going early. _If they_ wore enthusiastic and started in a winning vein t-hev would end in a winning vein.

Seconding tho motion Mr. A. T. Bate agreed th'at it would be advisable to hold the Levin Shield competitions at tho beginning of tho season. Also it would be a good thing to include a number,, of football events'as had been done in previous years with excellent effeot upon tho form of competitors. One -thing that the club wanted badly .was a coach. In the old days men did not pay much attention to, training. Nowadays players had to meet opponents who worked hard, and'were in-the pink of condition. ,' To attain success under these conditions men must sacrifice something and .practise hard. Tho speaker therefore hoped that members, this year, would go in for a coach—some experienced old player. Another matter touched upon by Mr. Bate was tho advisability of holding the club meetings always on Saturday, right. Talking over the play and mistakes that had been made was a good sort of thing. "Makp the sacrifices necessary this season .to play 'good football," concluded Mr. Bate, "and you will come out somewhere near the top of the tree."

Mri> A. B. Wilson-, explained that it was: through no fault of the club that tho Christchurch Club match had been dropped last year. ' Every effort had been made to secure its being played, and there was reason to hope that it Would be reinstated this year. . Tho report. and balance-sheet' were adopted. ■ • * ...

'. Eighteen new .members 'were admitted to the'club.' i.'ii'-'fVi

The following officers were elected:— President, Mr. T. S. Ronaldson; vicepresidents,l Messrs. A. T. Bate, G. C. Fache, J. P. Firth, N. Galbraith, 0. Kcmbe'r, y." R. Meredith, Dr. H. J. M'Lean, Ji Murray, F. J. Pownall, J. Ewan Smith, J. Varnham, and R. F. Lynch; captain; D. D. Weir; hon. secretary, T. H. M'Lean; hon. treasurer, J. Thompson; management committee, Messrs. G. F. M'Kellar, A. B. Wilson, J. Munro, 0. E. Webb, W. J. O'Meara, N. Irons, and F. Turner; delegates to Wellington Rugby Union, Messrs. V. R. Meredith, D. D. Weir, and A. B. Wilson; hon. auditor, Mr; G. Shand. Mr. F.' N. Abercrombie was appointed honorary coach to the junior teams. Mr. 'N. Galbraith (vice-president) who arrived Me stated, in the course of a brief address,-thafc_ ho had attended every annual meeting ot the club during the, past twenty-one years. Mr. Galbraith read a letter from Captain J. Ewan Smith, another vice-president, now stationed in the 'Cook Islands. Captain Smith enclosed a aonation of one guinea, and declared in his letter that he still saw yellow and black all the time. "There is no football in the Cook Islands," he concluded, "but what a team the young fellows would make if they were coached." In the latter portion of his address Mr. Galbraith offered some observations on professionalism, which are reported in another coluttin.

SOUTHERN CLUB. ANNUAL REPORT. The committee of fclie Southern Football Club, in their twelfth annua] report, state although the club was not successful in winning one of the championships, it is gratifying to note the satisfactory performances of the third and fourth class teams, who were runners-up in their respective grades. The club entered teams for all grades, but owing to lack of support the junior team had to be withdrawn from the Appended are the results of matches in which the various teams took part:—

Champ. P. W. D. L. Pts. Senior ... 11 . 3 1 7 7 Third ... ,16 14 1 1 29 Fonrtb ... 12 10 1 1 21 Fifth ... 15 1 3 11 5 The committee congratulates tho following members upon their performances during the season, in winning trophies:— Senior : Best back, B. Gallagher; most improved forward, C. M'Ouire. Third: Best back, C. B. Wetherell; best forward, F. Stevens. Fourth: Best all-round player, W. E. Capper. Fifth: Best all-round player, F. W. Tavendale.

Prospects for the coming season, the committee states,. ar& very gratifying in so far. as the senior, junior, an 3 third class teaths are concerned, but active members are required to replace thbso taken up from tho fourth and fifth class. It is hoped that members will do their best to lill up these gaps. Although the club did not have the gfrvices of a coach during last season, it is hoped this season to secure tho services of a permanent coach. Negotiations are now in progress, and, it is hoped that an announcement will bo made at the annual general meeting. A senior game is tyeing arranged against a team in Napier,on Easter Saturday and another at Palmerston with the Kia Toas on Easter Monday. A thirdclass game is being arranged against Kia Toa third and four class team on Easter Saturday. Anyono wishing to make the trip is requested to hand in his name as soon as possible. The committee expresses its appreciation of the continued generous support of' the club's patrons. Donations were received from Messrs. J. P. Luke, M P., A. H. Fulford, J. B. Speed, W. B. Perrott, A. J. Mace, K. J. Fitzgib-' bon, and from P. C. Peters and E. B. Reade. Mr. A. J. Mace is thanked for his kindness in supplying a room for committee meetings, and the press of Wellington for publishing the teams every week and for reports of matchcs .played. Tho club, the committee states, js now upon a satisfactory footing, and the coming season- is looked to with sanguine expectation.

I The balance-sheet shows a cash credit balance of 10s. 7d. Assets are valued at £4 10s. Tel., and thero arc no liabilities.

The annual general meeting of the club will be held on Wednesday evening noxt in tho lieehivo Chambers, Courtenay Place, at 8 o'clock.

THE PONEKE CLUB. Tho attendanco at the annual meeting of tho Poneko Football Club was large. Dr. Newman presided. The renort and balance-sheet liavo been published. Mr. AVyren moved their adoption. Ho said there wero lots of teams would liko to havo finished as well as Poneko had in tho last season's competitions. In one feature, however—goal-kicking —tho club had not shone so well, but ho hoped some special attention would bo devoted to this very nccessary department this year. Ho saw 110 reason why they should n6t havo a very goftd team this year, ■ and finish well up in the competition. Mr. S. Abraham seconded the motion, which was carried. • Seventeen now members wero elected.

Mr. T. AValsh moved that Rule 4 bo altered to read that tho club captain shall bo a non-playing member. Tho reason he gave for the proposed alteration was that the positions of club captain and team captain in the past had often been held by the one individual. The motbn was carried.

The same member also moved, and it was carried, that pach fifteen in the respective grades shall elect their own captains or vice-captains. Mr. D. G. G. Hunter wrote that owing to the removal of tho AVellington Territorial headqmrters to Palmerston North ho must resign as a member of the club.

Complimentary remarks about Hunter's play as pivot in the seniors were made, and the resignation was accepted with regret. Dr. Newman was re-elected president amidst applause. Vice-presidcnts fleeted were:. Messrs. Wyren, Archdeacon Harper, A. H. Turnbull, Douglas, Dr. Makin, Dr. Herbert, AV. AVhite, E. H. Dawson, J. M. Muir, G. Deslandes, W. Brown, Dr. Napier Maclean, and . Mr. AV. J. AVallace was elected club captain, Mr. 0. Mitchell treasurer, Mr. Magee secretary, Messrs. Wyren and Hood auditors, Messrs. Magee, Dawson and AValsh delegates to tho AVellington Rugby Union; gymnasium committee, Messrs. AVyren, Mitchell, Wilkinson; selection committee, Messrs. AValsh and Griffiths; management , committee, Messrs. AValsh, AVilkinson, Newth, Pudney, Elliott. Tho gymnasium is to be opened on Tuesday and Thursday next. The season will open on Saturday.

ST. JOHN'S CLUB. Lhst evening, at the St. John's Schoolroom, Willis Street, members of St. John's Rugby Football Club held their third annual meeting. Mr. T. M. Crawford presided over a large attendance.

The annual report and balance-sheet, which were adopted, - stated that the 1910 season marked a forward movement in the club, as it was the first ill which a team had been entered for "tho junior competition. After winning the third-class championship in 1909, it was considered advisable to play in a, higher grade in the following season, and that step had been justified by the result: Financially, the club continued to be on a firm footing, as-tlie season had closed with a substantial credit. Owing to the increase of members at the commencement of the season, it bad been decided to-enter three.teams, junior, third, for' championships. The rgsult..pf I( ijiaJ:ches played was as follows '^Junior,'..'team : Played 11, won,s, lost r {s, points for 70, against 10; third grade team: Played 13, won' 2, lost 10, drawn 1, : points for 20, against 197;' fourth grade team: Played 11. won 1, lost 9, drawn 1, points for. 12, against 193. In junior representative matches the club was represented by one member (G. H. Ellilfe). The committee recommended that for tho coming season a gymnasium bo secured, so that members might go into proper training. The following officers wero elected:— President, Mr. J. S. Butler; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. J. G. W. Aitken, A. R. Stone, C. S. Pool, J.'G. Smith, T. T. Paul, Troop, and Howatt; club captain, Mr. G. H. Eliffe (re-elected); hon. secretary, Mr. C. T. Andrews; hon. treasurer, Sir. W. Dallas (re-elected); auditor, Mr. A. W. ' White; delegate to the W.It.TJ., Mr. T. M. Crawford; management committee, Mesfcrs. J. S. Martin, W. Lovell, and N. Andrew. It was decided, that the question of fixing the subscription for the present season be left over until a future date.

The question of providing a gymnasium for training purposes during the season was discussed at length, being finally decided, that tho general committee should go into the matter fully, and .report to a general meeting to be held in a fortnight's time. Twenty new members were electcd.

SELWYN CLUB. The annual meeting of the Selwyn Rugby Football Club was held at Austin's rooms last evening, about 20 members being present. Mr. N. Austin, jun., presided. The annual report and balance-sheet tfas read and adopted. Officers elected for the ensuing year were as follow: —President, N. Austin, jun.; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. Swindale, S. Luko,. sen., "W. Hornig, J. Casey, L. Flowers, G. Moran, P. Geaghan, —. Sherwood, D. M'lntyre, J. Overn; club captain, S. Luke (redeemed); secretary, J. G. Faulkner (reelected) ; treasurer, L. Flowers; auditor, N. Austin, jun.: delegates tp the Rugby Union, H. Buck and B. Murray; management committee, F. Cooper, J. Cooper, J. Sullivan, P. Malone, and B. Murray; junior selection committee, J. Flack, J. Cooper, and F. Shearer. Tho meeting resolved that it be a recommendation to the Rugby Union to "put some new blood into the management." The remainder of tho proceedings wr.s devoted to a general revision of tho club rules. '

Y.M.C.A. CLUB

The Y-M.C.A. Association Football Club held its annual mating last night, Mr. H. N. Holmes presiding.

Tho annual report stated that last season was tho best which tho club had experienced, as far as performances weri concerned. Although 'they did nit annex tho championship, 'the games played were some of the best exhibitions of football given in tho annals of the club, especially those played against Diamonds and Swifts. -The First Division team, however, did not do so well as in the previous season, only winning three games out of 13 matches played. This was owing to tho club not having tho same team in the field two Saturdays running. E. Timperle.v headed tho goal average with eight goals to his credit. Tho Second Division team did fairly well ill their grade, and securcd third place, winning 0 games out of 13. In regard to the performances of tho Third Grade team their record in iiitor-olub matchcs was not praiseworthy. They redeemed their reputation, however, by being runners-tip in the Henderson Memorial Cup, this being the second time, in succession that this position had been attained. The club also entered a team for the Wednesday competition. and, considering that the majority of the players lirfd not played the "soccer" game before, the team were to he congratulated on tho showing which they made. Mr. E. Timperle.v was the only member of the elub to gain representative honours last season. The bal-ance-sheet showed a small credit balance. Both tho balance-sheet and report were adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows: — President, Mr. J, G. W A

Aitken (re-elected); vice-presidents, seven elected; lion, secretary, Mr. C. Coate; assistant lion, sec., Mr. AV. L. Wilson; hou. treasurer, Mr. W. L. Wilson; club captain, Mr. E. Phillies; management committee, Messrs. AV. L. AVilson, C. Coats, E. Phillips, A. H. M'Kay, J. Lennox, and J'j. rJollis; delegates to tho W.F.A., Messrs. AV. J. Menrs, AV. L. AVilson. and AV. Urquhart; auditor, Mr. A. E. Smith. It was decided that the subscription be tho same as in previous seasons. A motion was put forward to tho effect that the club's delegates bo instructed to vote for the proposal that the AV.F.A. charge teams for marking out tho field of play.—Carried. During tho course of tho evening a discussion arose as to the advisability of sending a team on tour at Easter .time, but the idea was not entertained.

It was decided that letters bo sent to Messrs. Gibson and E. Timpcrley in recognition of services rendered to tho club during past seasons.