LOSS SHOWN

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 71, 24 March 1934, Page 21

LOSS SHOWN

WELLINGTON -'SOCCER

ASSOCIATION'S REPORT

The fQrty-third Annual report of the Wellington Football Association reveals that the. 1933 season closed with a deficit. It is felt, however, that though the season was long and strenuous f rom-a financial point of view, it was at the same time progressive.

The Basin Reserve takings'for club games were the lowest for seven years, mainly duo to the loss of two playing days at the beginning of the season owing to.; the Easter ; matches, together with three wet Saturdays, and the fact that the King's Birthday fell on a Saturday. The reduction of fourth division capitation fees and the" elimination of fifth, division capitation fees also helped to show a loss on the seasons working. All clubs made every endeavour to meet their obligations in regard to capitation fees, which included ground fees and cup entry fees, during the past season, only one-fourth instalment of a second division club team being out-1 standing at the close of the season. Considering the difficult ' times through whi«h the country is passing, the report states, this reflects great credit on the amount of work given by club secretaries and. treasurers, all of whom are deserving of the highest praise for the amount of work given with unabated enthusiasm.

The balance-sheet shows an excess of expenditure over income of £34 13s 6d. The total expenditure was £975 7s 7d, of which £301 10s was paid as grounds rent; £425 Is 5d was taken at the Basin- Reserve turnstiles. A balance of £45 Is lid is noted, in the accident insurance fund. REPRESENTATIVE GAMES. In addition to the match against Otago for the Football Association Trophy, which Otago retained by 5 goals to 4,. the following representative matches were played by Wellington first division teams: Combined New Zealand Navy (April 1) won: HMS Dunedin (April 8), won; Auckland (faster Monday), won (3-2); Wairarapa (King's Birthday), won (7-1); Auckland (September 9, at Auckland), won. (3-2); Australian Navy (September 23), won. ■

Eight entries, one more than the previous year, were received from local clubs for the Chatham Cup competition Both the local and the provincial finals were won by Waterside, but the Aorth-.lsland final was won by Ponsonby, 3-0, at Auckland. In the New Zealand final played at Wellington,

Bonsonby (Anckland) ..-. defeated All Blacks (Millerton) by 2-1. Mr. W. B. Hicks Was again appointed sole selector for the first division, and he selected five ■ representative sides, all of which were - successful except the F.A. Trophy, team, which n-as defeated by Otagoat Dunedin. Three-Wellington men; E. Barton, J. Kershaw, and J. Baker, were selected to tour with a New Zealand team in Australia, and congratulations are extended to them. ■ :--"■.. '■•- Sixteen city reserves were allocated by the City Council to accommodate the teams.entered by clubs at the beginning of the season, but owing to the withdrawal of several teams after the opening matches, two playing areas at Lyall Bay were relinquished. STABIUM IMPEOVEMENTS. During the off-season special attention has been given to the Kilbirnie Stadium ground—the first time for very many years—and it is hoped that this area will be in a much better playin<* condition for the coming season. The referees' meetings which took place at the conclusion of the committee meetings were rather disappointing as' far as attendances were concerned, continues the report. As far as the Wellington Public Schools' Football Association was concerned, the past season was again highly successful, the number of entries being the same as last year. The interest taken in.' the teams by the teachers was highly gratifying. The local competition .was.divided into two areas—the eastern and central zones. Each primary school in the eastern area had one or two teams entered. The zone winners were: Senior,' Seatoun, and .•junior, Lyall Bay. The central zone, though less strong numerically, was stronger than usual in playing ability. Two teams—one from Clyde Quay and one from Brooklyn—entered the competitions for the first time. Mount Cook—senior and junior teams—headed their respective sections in the zone competitions, and in the inter-zone finals' against Seatoun and Lyall Bay were again successful. The " Webster Shield tournament was held at'Wanganui, with a record entry of six teams. Taranaki and Hawke's Bay were newcomers. Wellington sent up a. strong team in charge of Mr. S. C. Shedden, and this side was successful in retaining the shield. All five games -were won and the side scored 29 goals against 2, thus showing a remarkably solid defence. The nextttournament is to be held at Napier. • The annual North Island secondary schools' tournament was held "at Palmerston North. Wellington was defeated by Auckland for the Bkerrett Cup, but was compensated by winning the Herbert Smith Cup for the" first time in the junior division. The venue of the next tournament 13 Wellington.