NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 198, 16 May 1919, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

~'. ~ ■ • ■ » ; BKOWN SHIELD CHALLENGES. Mr. H. J. Buck presided over a meeting of the council of the New Zealand Football Association i last. evening. Messrs. H. M'Keowen, T. M'Laren, b. Bryce, and B. L. Salmon were- also preCliallonges for the Brown Shield, at present held by Canterbury, were reeeived from Otngo, Auckland, and Wellington. .Usually these challenges are played in tho order, received, but it was pointed out that Auckland challenged last season, but too late for their match to be played. Under tho special circumstances it vas resolved to play the Auckland match firsthand not later than June 30, Otago 6ccond, and Wellington third. The Canterbury Football Association wrote stating that a man had been suspended for two years from October 21 last for unseemly conduct on English l'arlt during a Brown' Shield match last 6cason. Aβ no particulars .whatever were forwarded, M required by tho rules, the matter was referred back for a full report to bo sent in. ■ . ' ' , The Excelsior Club, Christchurch, forwarded an appeal against a decision of tho Canterbury Football Association in a match against the Celtic Club.for this Watson Cup. The referee had awarded a free-kick, for unintentional hands inside the penalty area, whereas having made a mistake he should have thrown the ball down. The decision' of the; Canterbury Football Association was, against the Excelsior Club, which asked for the extra time to be replayed, and that decision was upheld by thecouncil, the appeal fee to be returned to the club. The Otago Football Association wrote advising tho appointment of Mr. Bryce as delegate, and nominating Messrs. C. E. Stathain, M.P.,- and H. L. Godber as vice-presidents to the New Zealand Football Association. The Wellington Football Association appointed Messrs..F. L. O'Connell and J. M'Crorio as delegates, and nominated Messrs. F. J. Courtney and A. E. Wells as vice-presidents. ' Captain P. H. Hall-Thompson, replying to a request that the Auckland Football Association be allowed to uso the Admiralty ground at Devonport, Auckland, stated that as ships of war are expected in these waters very shortly the ground will bo required for'naval landing parties fairly constantly, as well as being used for naval recreation parties. The request therefore could not be acceded to. The, secretary was instructed to forward ft ball to'vthe headmaster, Mmiriecville West School, Wairarapa, in response to a request for same. Mr. H. L. Godber, having accepted a position on the Management Committee of the Wellington Football Association, forwarded his resignation as a vice-presi-dent. The" chairman.spoke in glowing terms of Mr. GodborVwork, especially while acting-secretary, and it was decided to place on record the council's keen appreciation of such work. Mr. A. E.'Gibbs, the New Zealand Football Association's representative in London; replying to.α-request for referees' charts to be forwarded, stated that none had been printed since the war began. The council did not perhaps appreciate ■the position .with Tegard to football in England. There had been.no meeting of the, council of the Football Association .since 1915, and the staff of the association .had; been - reduced to the secretin , }-, Mr. ■'.P.: J. Wall. ... '' Very'encouraging reports were received from the Otngo and Auckland associations .regarding the nrogress of the gamo in. those centres. ':The secretary stated that he -had recently visited Auckland, and found that, while the management there had undoubtedly given .-causa for complaint the last season or two. a. great improvement would be shown this year.