FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5108, 30 March 1927, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

WEST CLUB’S ANNUAL MEETING. SUCCESSFUL 1926 SEASON. The 25th annual general meeting of the West Football Club was held at Mr Bain’s Rooms last night, the president (Mr E. Edwards) presiding over a large attendance of members and supporters. The proceedings .throughout were most enthusiastic, and prospects for the coming season appear to be bright. ANNUAL REPORT. The following annual report was read by the secretary (Mr J. L. Rowe): “With the presentation of .the report and balance-sheet of the West Football Club’s 25th year your committee desires to express its appreciation of your co-operation during its term of office. “Of the club teams the seniors played determinedly throughout, winning the McCullay Shield, and also the Banner for the second year in succession. The junior and third grade teams lacked combination and were defeated in .the majority of their matches. Your committee expresses its appreciation of the team spirit and keenness of the senior players.

"Your committee desires to congratulate two club players as Thames Valley representatives, and also players in senior, junior, and third grade representative fixtures. “The annual social held in June was a decided success, and good fellowship prevailing helped to make an enjoyable gathering. “Prior to the departure of the Thames Valley representative touring team a 'Smoker’ was given to members from Paeroa clubs, and each player was presented with a suitcase for the tour.

“The medals for competition were awarded by the selectors as follows: Mr R. W. Evans’ medal for best senior back, J. Verran; Mr R. W. Evans’ medal for most improved junior, J. Conolly. “With the resignation and subsequent departure from the district of F. Jenyns and J. Bigelow’ the club lost two keen supporters. Both were presented with an enlargement of the senior team of 1926.

“From a financial viewpoint tho past season has been a successful one, but your committee feels it is its duty to emphasise prompt payment of subscriptions by all memjjers. As in former years, several members failed to pay their subscriptions, and as the ’ football sub. is small in comparison ! with other outdoor sprfrts your committee trusts that during the coming seasxin all members will support their * club financially. “In conclusion we, thank you for loyal support, and trust the coming season '-f 1'927, both in the field and financially, will be a record one. in the annals of the West Football Club.” In moving the adoption of the report the president said it was grati yihg! to learn that the club had enjoyed such a good season, and he wished to add his congratulations to WH. Taylor and L, C. Masters on gaining representative honours for the club. He urged the members to stick together, pay their subscriptions promptly, and make every endeavour to. play the game for the game’s sake. The credit balance was very satisfactory, and would give the club a good start for the 1927 season, which he hoped would be a really good °ne. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected tor the season: Patron, Mr R. W. Evans; vice-patron, Mr G'. A. Bush ; president, Mr E. Edwards; vice-presi-dents, Messrs H. M. Shand, R. G. Southby, J. M. Crosby, J. W. Silcock, C. P. Topliss, E. Powell, J. Walmsley, F. Harder, M. T. Crosby, E. W. G. Smith, E. S. Masters, E. E. Neil, E. V. Slyfield; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. Connolly; auditor, Mr W. L. Lawrence ; general committee, Messi's H. M. Shand, W. Taylor, J. Walmsley, K. L. Slyfield, V. Carrick, J. Crosby, L. C. Masters; delegates to unr’n, Messrs. J. Walmsley, E. Edwards, H. M. Shand, K. L. Slyfield, J. Crosby, J. Conolly. Representatives on the Paeroa Rugby Union Committee were left in the hands fo the committee to select. The following selectors were appointed: Messrs H. M. Shand (seniors), B. Neil (juniors), and R. Swann (third grade). SECRETARY OF UNIONS. Mr Walmsley said he did not think that the secretary of the Thames Valley Union and the secretary of the Paeroa Union should be one and the same person. He believed that through that, position obtaining the Paeroa Union had “paid the piper” for it last season. He failed to see how one man could hold the two positions and dp justice to them. The president suggested that the matter might be referred to the delegates to the union, and this was agreed to by the meeting. SUBSCRIPTIONS. It was resolved, that the annual subscription be as for senior and juniors and 2s 6d for third-grade players.

GENERAL. On the motion of Mr E. E, Neil it was decided that the committee be recommended to purchase two or three jerseys and pants to remain the property of the club. The president signified his intention of donating a gold medal for the best senior back. The donor was thanked for his trophy. It was resolved that an endeavour be made to arrange for a senior match against a Te Aroha team on Saturday week, and also a junior game with Ngatea at Ngatea. A hearty vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting. THE WAITAKARURU CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Waitakaruru Football Club was held last evening, the president (M'r A. H. McClean) presiding over an attendance of twenty. Officers appointed for .the season were: Patron, Mr W. Stretton; president, Mr A. H. McClean; secretary, Mr G. L. Griffiths; treasurer, Mr Dobbs ; auditor, Mr T. Elliptt; senior selectors, Messrs C. Hayward, F.

Stretton, and the club captain ; junior selector, Mr N. Death; delegates, Messrs A. H. McClean and H. L. Berney ; gatekeepers, Messrs W. Stretton and J. Cumming; timekeepers, Messrs T. Elliott and L. Bates ; club captain, C. Clarke; management committee, Messrs C. Stretton, R. Hunter, the club captain, selectors, and delegates tp the Rugby Union.

The annual subscription was fixed at ss.

A vote of thanks to Messrs C. Hayward and L. Bates for granting the club the use of their paddocks as> playing fields was carried by acclama- . tion. --

The ladies of the district who had assisted with the catering were accorded a vote pf thanks. It was reported that the same playing fields would be available for the

coming season. Mr C. Clarke asked for an expression of opinion from the club as to whether the Plains Rugby Union should jvithdraw from the Thames Valley Rugby Union and link up with the Thames Rugby Union. He was in favour of the change, as he was of the opinion that it. would result in an improvement in the standard of play due to meeting a better class of player. There would be fewer representative matches, with the consequent less interference in the interclub competitions. Thames was affiliated direct with Auckland, and played several matches with city teams, with the result that Thames players were brought under the notice of provincial and dominion selectors.

The president pointed put that the matter had been discussed by the club on several previous occasions.' There would be little against the Thames Valley Union if the Poland Cup conditions were altered.

Mr Berney favoured the idea, but pointed out that it would take months to effect the change in boundaries, even if all parties were agreeable, Mr Clarke moved, and Mr Craig seconded, that the delegates of the Waitakaruru Club give notice of intention to move that the Hauraki Plains Union affiliate with the Thames Rugby Union. —Carried.