FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 28, 2 May 1938, Page 1

FOOTBALL

OPOTIKI RUGBY UNION COMMITTEE; MEETING The first meeting of the committee of the Opotiki Rugby Union was held in Mr T. Hickey’s rooms last week to discuss arrangements for the 1938 season:—.

Present: Messrs T. Hickey and G. Wood (City), J. Edwards (0.M;.P.), M. Delamere (Te Huia) and A. Short (Referees’ Association). Mr Hickey was elected chairman. It was decided to admit tlio P.W.I). senior team into the Opotiki Union’s competition. Delegates from that club appointed were Messrs G. Howard and J. Parkinson. .The secretary was appointed to interview Mr J. J. Moody re loan of a playing area, while Mr Seville was asked to interview Mr Connelly on the samei subject. Mr A. Short was appointed to watch the interests of third grade football. It was decided that third grade teams be affiliated to senior, clubs. Messrs Seville, G. Shove and W. T. Burrett were appointed a 3rd grade grading committee..

Mr Hickey was asked to approach Mr F. J. Rennett re use of showgrounds, while Mr Short was asked to enquire about the renting of the reserve. The draw for the first round in the competitions resulted as follows:—•

O.M.P. v. City Seniors ;Sho»vgrounds); P.W.D. v. Te Huia Seniors (Reserve). It was decided to admit the Waioeka junior team into the competition under the jurisdiction of the Te Huia Club.

Gate charges for the ensuing season were fixed at: adults 1/-,' children 6d. It was decided to advertise in the “Opotiki News”. The meeting was concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair.

THIRD CRADE FOOTBALL i-j'x cou r a c km ex T GIVEX COACH KS APPOINTED At a recent meeting of the committee ol’ the Opotiki ilugby Union, Messrs K. \Y. Seville and K. A. Davies waited on the committee jii connection, with the fostering of tinru grade football. Tim main conditions agreed noon were: — 1. A grading committee of three members shall be appointed by the ling by Union at its annual general meeting, for the purpose ol grading players in the 3rd. grade competition. This grading committee shall have power to overrule the age limit and the weight limit in any particular case when considering a player's suitability for Bid. grade toot bull in Opotiki. 2. Grading of players will generally, not take place after the Ist round of the competition, although tna com mittee shall have power to grade players at any time in the season. 3. The weight limit shall be 10st. 121 b. on the first playing Saturday ot the competition.

4. The age-shall be under 19 years on the first playing Saturday of tiie competition.

o. A 3rd. grade player who plays in three 2nd. grade matches loses his 3rd. grade status and must be regraded before again playing in 3rd. grade. 6. Protests against weight and/er age of a player must be lodged in writing to the grading committee lietore a match commences. The grading committee shall, whenever possible, grade such player immediately. When grading cannot he done immediately a, team cvill forfeit a match in which it plays a player against whom a protest has been lodged, ?1 it is found that such player is over the age and/or weight limit. 7. 3rd. grade teams must he affiliated to the Union' through senior clubs.

Caoches were, appointed as follows: Mr W. T. Burrett (City), Mr K. W. Seville, .(High School), Mr L. A- Davies (Woodlands).

(Cfcmtinued from Page 3) trailing branches of the willows and draw themselves to safety after a protracted struggle. Perched in the trees, they waited for the coming of daylight, which was only an hour and a half away. As dawn broke, they realised the extraordinary nature, of their escape, for down the valley the flood was tearing in a boiling cataract, in which nothing could have lived for mere than a minute. Intense rain throughout the early morning hours made the plight of the exhausted travellers ■more" - ' difficult, and it was not until well after daylight that they saw a chance dl; relief. From their position in the trees they conldi see people moving about down, the valley, but they could nor make themselves heard over the roar of the flood until a Maori boy came along the hillside to' examine the car, only the hood of which now showeu above the water. Others came latex to see it, and finally Mr McGregor attracted their attention.

Splendid Rescue Work. Between the road and the travellers’ perch in the trees there was a boiling cataract, and the rescue problem was not solved until Mr It. H. Goodson, master of the Tangoio .Native School, with the aid of thiee natives, Messrs Darkey Hika, Teria TJparima, and Tama Tutu, floated a light line to the marooned pair, enabling them to draw across the. flood first a heavier cord, and then a Section of fencing wire. The three Maoris played a prominent part in the rescue, entering the flood-waters without regard for their own safety, and Mr Tama Tutu carried Miss Skinner on his shoulders to safety,, dragging himself hand-over-liand along the wire, and MF -McGregor following. The travellers were given the most kindly treatment at Mr. Goodson*s residence, and it was

not until Thursday that they were