FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 67, 22 March 1901, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE DISTRICT SCHEME. COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO DEFINE BOUNDARIES. The meeting of footballers held last evening at the Masonic Hotel to consider the advisability of formulating a district scheme iiVeonnection with the game was largely attended, and the proceedings were characterised with the utmost enthusiasm. The project, which was explained at length in our columns last week, wa3 eagerly taken up, and as a result of last night’s meeting a committee was appointed to define the boundaries, and supply all details to a meeting to be called at an early date. Upwards of a hundred footballers attended the meeting, and the Chairman (Mr W. Miller) placed all details in connection with the scheme before members. He concluded his remarks by proposing the following resolution : “ That this meeting is of opinion that the rules of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union should bo amended so as to provide for a district scheme in place of the present club system.” “ That the football radius he cut up into

four equal districts.” “ That this mooting appoint a committee of five to define the district boundaries. The committee to present a map showing all available players and boundary lines, at a special meeting of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union, to be held on Monday, Ist April, 1901.” “ That as soon as the committee has declared the boundaries a club shall be formed in each district, officers elected, and two delegates appointed to the Union.”

“ Should any or either of the clubs bo dissatisfied with the boundaries as laid down by the committee, such club shall have the right to apply to have the boundaries readjusted. Objections must be lodged in writing with the lion, secretary to the Union on or before the Bth April, 1901.”

“ Should an objection bo lodged, the secretary to the Union shall ask eacli club to appoint two delegates to attend a meeting to ho called not later than the 12th April, 1901.” “ The boundary committee and an arbitrator will also attend such meeting.” “The arbitrator shall be chairman of the meeting, and shall allow the club delegates to state their objections and to use fair argument for confirming or readjusting the boundaries as laid down by the

committee. ■ The arbitrator shall endeavour to bring about a fair and just agreement between the delegates and the coin mittee."

“ Failing the committee and the delegates agreeing, the arbitrator shall have full power to decide definitely as to the boundaries for the season 1901, and shall give his decision on the night of the meeting.” A longthy discussion followed, the clauses of the resolution being considered seriatim. That relating to the number of districts gave rise to considerable comment, and it was agreed to leave the matter to the Committee.

Messrs Eaton, McCredie, Colo, Nutting, and O’Connell wore appointed members of the Committee to consider the question of boundaries, and Mr Arthur Rees was appointed arbitrator.

There was considerable discussion as to whether the season’s matches should be played on Thursday or Saturday. Several speakers advocated Saturday and others Thursday. A motion that tho matches should be played on Saturday was carried by about 50 to 30, hut it was afterwards agreed that the matter should bo left to tho Clubs to decide. Tho feeling of last night’s mooting was, however, distinctly in favour of Saturday, although it was pointed out by Mr McCredie and others that tho Rugby Union was not likely to profit from a financial point of view by the matches being played on Saturdays. In answer to a question put by one member, the Chairman said that in all probability football matches would this year he played in the Victoria Domain, but the consent of tho Sports’ Association find first to bo obtained. Tho Union would endeavour to arrange for two grounds at tho Domain. Mr Miller" Further stated that a sum of £IOO was required to be expended on the Domain, in order to put it in first-class order. Mr Kolicrc raised the question of a team consisting of Natives, stating that lie had received the names of twenty-five players, tho majority of whom had already paid their membership fee. He thought that a really first-class team could be got togothor. It was pointed out by other members that the formation of a Native team was likely to militate against the success of the district scheme, and, on this account, it was decided to ask Mr Kohcrc to confer with the Committee. Mr W. Samson advocated tho formation of a Rofcrecs’ Association this year, as ho thought it would greatly improve football. It was decided to ask tho Clubs to forward the names of any gentlemen whom they considered would be willing to act as referees.

A number of players present thought that the juniors would not receive sufficient attention under a district scheme, and some discussion took place on this subject. The Chairman and others pointed out that the district scheme was much in favour of the junior players, as the majority of them would at once rank as seniors, whilst the younger players could hftvo their own competitions as previously. Special mention was made of the services rendered to football by Mr Miller, who had gone to considerable trouble in connection with the proposed district scheme. On the motion of Mr W. Gaudin, seconded by Mr Hcllicr Evans, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Miller. The latter, in replying, expressed pleasure at being able to give any assistance, as he was most desirous of seeing the game progress in tho district. He paid a high tribute to tho good work performed in the past by Messrs Fisher, Matthews, Cole, and Eaton, who started the Rugby Union, and ran it most successfully for SQVoral seasons. The result of last evening's meeting should be hailed with great satisfaction by footballers generally throughout tho district, aud wc trust that nothing will intervene to affect the success of the scheme. It was particularly pleasing to members of the Rugby Union to see such a large and representative gathering at the meeting, and it is to be hoped that one and all will work with a will to place fqotball on a sounder basis than it has been during the past two years. There is no reason why Gisborne should not be able to put a team in the.field that would hold its own with anything in the colony, and we aro of opinion that'tlie step taken last evening will do more towards that end than anything else.