MANUNUI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 27, 26 April 1907, Page 3

MANUNUI.

The adjourned meeting of the Football Club, was held in the Hall, on Saturday last, the 20th inst., and the following officers were elected :—Patrons, J. W. Ellis, Esq., W. T. Jennings, Esq., M.H.R., and J. T. Moore; president, T. Hellier; vice-presidents, W. E. Fifield. A. H. Brown, M. J. Connolly, W. T. Harland, G. Dunlop, M. Graham, W. Hooks, S. Ellis; secretary and treasurer, H. Richards ; captain, M. Flavell; vice-captain, S. Ellis; selection committee, Messrs Harland, Connolly, and the Captain ; delegates to Union, Messrs O'Brien and Harland. The Kakahi members, who had paid their subscriptions, to have them refunded, as the Kakahi players had decided to form a team of their own this year. The election of a School Committee for the Piriaka School District, was held in the school house on Monday, April 22nd, there being present, eight householders from Manunui, three from Piriaka, and the head teacher. Mr Moore. The balance sheet showed a credit of £8 l6s 9d in the bank, with liabilities amounting to £5 16s sd, leaving a net balance of £3 os 3d to start the year with. The following were elected as a committee for the ensuing year:—Messrs Kelpin (chairman), Walker, Dodunski, Bremner, Clarke, Erkkila, and Richards. On Saturday last was witnessed the first football match of the season here, between teams representing Matapuna and Manunui Clubs, played on the latter's ground, before a somewhat surprising crowd of both local and visiting people. The teams were very evenly matched, and the result, which fell to Manunui's favour py the narrow margin of 5 points to nil, speaks well of the keen and stubborn manner in which the match was played. The forwards, comprising several men of representative honours, to a man, played their utmost, though at times they appeared too eager to add to their respective sides, the coverted three points. To individualise would be unfair to the rest, but in Pihama, O'Neil, and Dean the country possesses a terrible trio in the pack. Among the backs there are players of whom their clubs can safely boast as capable of advancing to the front, had they only the chance to come under the keen eye of a representative selector. lhe match was only the first one of the season, and there is no doubt that, before the end of the season, a most formidable fifteen can be brought from the Main Trunk to match any outside fifteen. The backs yet lack combination, and constant practice and concentration will be needed of them. Ellis, who piloted the Manunuites, played a stubborn game at half, ana the opposing half also played well. Hodden, also of Manunui, played a dashinggame, though at times he took an advantage of a few inches off side which, coupled with his smartness, enabled him to register the only try, which was neatly placed between the uprights by Hetet, a player out of the common in the use of his toe. At half-time the scores were 5 points to nil. 'This advantage Miuvunui kept to the end, though at times their line was threatened. Over and over again O'Neil and Pihama carne with the force of the " Light Brigade," but over and over again they were repulsed. The Matapuna half-back played a dashing game, and with D. Thom behind him, and a fleet pair of wings, they always looked dangerous when possessed of the oval. _ The referee gave every satisfaction in the position. The clubs will again meet as soon as arrangements are made. Mr Garmston is starting a baker's shop here, and Mr Steadman tells me he is going to" open a branch in connection with his Taumarunui business. In the meantime he is going to make a daily delivery with his cart. Mrs Earl is stocking ready for opening a general store in the premises lately erected by Mr Moffat, so the place, generally, has a busy appearance.