Football.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3615, 3 May 1906, Page 2

Football.

ANNUAL REPORT AND BALANCE SHEET.

The following report and balance sheet was presented by the secretary, and passed by the Foxton Executive and Manawatu Union at their annual meetings : Report. “Sirs, —I have pleasure to report that, despite heavy working expenses, your section has come out of the year’s ordeal with a credit balancejof including' £4 odd profits from concert and sports. Competition was keen throughout the year, both in Cup and Rep. matches, and I feel certain the donations of Mr G. A. Simpson (Cup) and Mr H. Austin (15 medals) were undoubtedly responsible for the great interest taken in the game both by the players and public alike. These gentlemen deserve the hearty thanks of the Executive ; also Mr and Mrs Laing, for providing an excellent complimentary dinner to all clubs and enthusiasts, the affair proving a bifiliant social success. Fully 70 sat down to accept the hospitality of the host and hostess of the Family Hotel. The thanks of the Executive is also due to the late Mr Job Vile and Mr T, Haywood for donations of £1 is each ; to Shadbolt and Howan for 10s 6d towards sports medals ; and to Mr Octy Cooke, for line flags. During the year, N. Barker and \V. Hooker were chosen from the Executive’s playing members to represent Manawatu, though owi ig to injury the latter was prevented from taking part in the match he was selected for.

I'hoilg'h our Fox ton reps, played four games within a win, still a marked improvement must result in the play. The referee difficulty appears to me to be the great stumbling block in the marked progress of our football. Through heavy expense incurred in finding outside referees at the early part of last season, the Executive were compelled to make Clubs pay for outsiders. Even this practise did not work profitably, owing to the difficulty of obtaining good men at times. Executive officials came in for much abuse over the appointment of these referees,- and the only way apparent to me to prevent a recurrence of much unpleasantness is to force clubs to play under local referees. It seems to me a local referees association may be formed, which should meet the- case. Players also could join, and thus many evenings could be spent to the advantage of all concerned in the general knowledge of the rules.

The different games between Awahou and Old Boys Clubs created goeat interest, and it is to be hoped competition will be just as keen for championship honours this coming season. Awahou Club proved almost invincible, winning, the senior championship, seven-a-side tournament, place kicking, and runningjwith the ball. Only one trophy fell to the Old Boys Club, that of drop-kicking. The third club, Huia, deserve praise for finishing out the Cup matches when chance of victory was hopeless.

A school-boy seven-a-side competition aroused great interest, and was won by a team under Stan. Wanklyn, four teams competing.

The sports and concert, organised as a fitting finale to the year’s work, and also with a view to raising funds to cover medical expenses of injured players, returned a profit which more than net the demand ; and that, despite che fact that the expense of the Jay’s outing was great. Included in the presentations made at the concert were framed photographs of the Foxton Reps to Mr and Mrs Simpson, Mr and Mrs H. Austin, and Mr and Mrs A. Laing, for the very kindly interest taken in the game by them. The thanks of the Union is also extended to the local entertainers for providing the concert. The party and friends were entertained at supper, the affair proving most enjoyable.

There is talk of running Wednesday matches this coming season, and there seems little doubt as to the success of the venture, if adopted. Personally, I feel confident both Wednesday and Saturday competitions could be arranged. There is also talk of dropping away from the direct control of the Manawatu Union, and joining that body as a sub-Union. Your annual meeting will proba’dy discuss the matter. E. G. Sutherland, Secretary.” Balance Sheet. Receipts.—Gates at all Union matches, ,£35 4s; hah’ proceeds Rangitikei match, £3 17s 6d; profits from concert and sports, £4 6s; subscriptions from three

Clubs, £6 6s; donation from the late Job Vile £i is, T, Haywood £i is. Total, 15s 6d. Expenditure. —Cost of June io (Mr Manning) 7s, June* 17 (Mr Nash) £x 6s, June 24th (Mr Jones) £2 16s, July 29 (Mr Hyland) 17s 6d, local referee 2s 6d, total £5 gs; gatekeepers, Rep. tours, Palmerston £4 3s, Sandon £5 ns 6d, total £9 14$ 6d; entertaining teams, Bulls £4 15s 6d, Horowhenua £1 lis 6d, total £6 7s; Medical exes, Desmond £1 is 6d, Robinson 16s 6d, total £1 18s ; advertising, £4 los ; Barker’s exes to Wellington, £1 15s; McMinn’s exes to complimentary dinner, 15s; jerseys, £2 18s 6d; sundries, £1 6s 6d. Total Balance over expenditure, ■■ 2S.