EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 891, 14 May 1903, Page 3

EAST COAST NEWS.

a- - - WAJPIIIO BAY

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

FOOTRACE

V.'AII'IKO WANTS AN KAST COAST JtUOIiY UNION.

Tho first annual general meeting of the Waipiro Football Club was held on Saturday evening in the .schoolroom, there being a good attendance, and tho meeting ;broughout was u very enthusiastic one. Mr -J. F. I’cttio was in tho chair, and Mr A. Ji. Williams was also in attendance. Tho balance-sheet showed a credit of £i 7s. Mr W. Warren, secretary, presented the j following report : —“ X have the honor to submit the first annual report of the Waipiro Football Club. The Club was organised rather late in the season, and under adverse circumstances, but nevertheless some capital work was done. The iargo number of 40 members wore unrolled, and a matter of congratulation was the prompt payment of subscription-, which amounted to the satisfactory sum of X'o Bs. As wiil be seen by the balancesheet presented, the financial basis of tiro Club is sound, and which may principally bo attributed to tho energy displayed by members in organising athletic sports and dance in order to procure funds, and your Committee desire to tender their sincere thanks to the people of Waipiro and surrounding district, for tho liberal way in

which wu v/crc supported, and also think

it would he advisable to hold similar events this season. During the season three mutches were played with outsilc

teams, namely, two with Tokomaru and one with Tupuroa, which resulted in losing two uud drawing one. Although a considerable amount of difficulty was experienced in mustering the team when required, and also the fact of not having a proper practice ground, our representatives made a brilliant stand on each occasion, and your Committee is of opinion that if members endeavor to get in as many practices us possible, the Club should have a very successful season this year. A question of great importance is at present

being discussed, wo believe, by other

Coast Clubs, and that is the necessity of establishing an East Coast Rugby Union, and by doing so your Committee claim that tho interests of football would bo greatly increased for the following reasons : —Firstly : That if wo h;ul a union on tho Coast there would no doubt be a trophy to play for, arid would therefore strengthen tlio *• esprit do corps ” which exists. Secondly: In order to be able to send a team of representatives of tho Coast it

would be necessary to bo affiliated with

the Rugby Union in order to get a game. Thirdly : An East Coast Union would bo moro competent to govern Coastal Clubs.

,Vo would therefore urgo that tho matter

be discussed at this meeting in order that some decision might he arrived at so as to communicate with other clubs on the matter, and have the affair sottled without delay. In conclusion, your Committeo desire to express their gratitudo to members for the uniform courtesy thoy had received at their hands during tho past season.” Tho report and balance-sheet wore adopted on tho motion of Mr Luckwell, and seconded by Mr Johnstone.

Officers woro elected as follows :—President, Mr A. 13. Williams ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs A. M. Beale, J. F. Pottie, T. E. Sherwood, S. Burdett, C. Nurse. H. L. Wilson, J. N. Williams, A. P. Durrant, G. Westmoreland, Dr Davis, and Bov. 0. Fitzgerald ; Secrotary and Treasurer, W. Warren (re-olected); Committee, Messrs W. Painter, -J. N. Williams, H. T. Wilson, A. P. Durrant, and J. Johnston ; Selection Committeo, Mr A. B. Williams, Rev. 0. Pitz-'A'"'!d, and Captain. The olcctiW l °f officers to tho position of Captain and Deputy Captain woro deferred until after the first match. Tho Chairman stated fiat if a llugby Union was formed on tho Coitst ho would bo prepared to present a trophy for competition. Ho said in order to havo success in the Club they wanted organisation, which he was sure would bo tho case. Mr Wilson said he thought a sub-com-mittee should bo appointed to deal with tho matter.

Members thought it would bo as well for tho general Committeo to look after the affair.

Mr A. B. Williams said that it was a good idea, and would, he thought, be a great benefit to football on tho Coast. Tho Chairman remarked that they wantod to arrive at some decision in order to havo the matter placed before tho other Coastal Clubs, with a view of having tho matter brought forward at onco. Tito secretary, Mr Warren, was instructed to call a meeting of tho Committee and discuss tho matter, and to commuuicato with other clubs on tho subject. Tho question of not having proper ground to practise was dealt with at somo length, during which the Chairman stated that he thought ho could arrange with one of the Natives to get a nice flat to practise on, but some money would require to bo expended on tho ground ; there was also another flat which was equally as good, and that was within tho boundary of the township, to which they could obtain a proper lease, but a good deal of mono.y would require to he spent. He said there was no reserve made for a recreation ground in tho township, and he thought if tho idea was looked into they would bo able to get it as a reserve. There was a certain amount of risk in making improvements on Maori land to which they could not obtain a lease.

Mr Williams stated that tho subject had hotter be deferred till another meeting, so that members would have an opportunity of considering the matter. Subscription fees wero fixed, and tho mattor of colors was deferred. It was loft in tho hands of tho Committee to arrange, if possible, a match for Empire Day. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to tho secretary, Mr Warren, for the energy displayed by him during the past year. A vote of thanks to tho Chairman terminated the meeting.

FOOTBALL COMMITTEE,

A committco meeting of tho Waipiro Football Club was held last evening at tho Waipiro Hotel, Mr H. L. Williams proaiding. It was decided that tho club s colors should bo bluo and black. Tho Secretary, Mr Warren, said that ho had received a communication from Tokomurii, that the matter of a Rugby Union for tho East Coast had boon favorably discussed. They had decided to play Tolago Bay on May 28, and they desired that delegates from tho Waipiro Club should attend a meeting that night with a view of making a start with tho llugby Union. After discussion Messrs J. N. Williams and A. F. Durant were appointed delegates to the meeting. It was decided to have a practice match at Tuparoa on tho 23rd. WAIAI’U RACING CLUB.

In the last coastal edition of the Timks tho name of tho capable secretary of the Wainpu Racing Club was misspelt. Tho secretary is Mr A. M. Poole. Tho club is to bo congratulated on having such an efficient secretary. POLICE TOUR.

Constable Kelly, of Awanui, is at presen inspecting the coastal hotels.

MEASLES

The measles epidemic is still raging on tiic Coast. No fewer than nine deaths have occurred at lliruharaina Native .settlement during the past furlnighi.

The "eldest son of .Mr and Mrs Painter, aged two years, passed away on Thursday evening, death living due to measles. Much sympathy is fell here for the sorrowing parents