FOOTBALL NEEDS.

Shannon News, 22 April 1927, Page 4

FOOTBALL NEEDS.

THE OTAKI DOMAIN. REQT7EST TOR REDUCTION IN CHARGES. At Thursday's meeting of the Otaki Borough. Council Messrs J. McGill, T. Walsh, P. Rhodes,. L>. H. Wilmot, J. Procter, J. O'Connor, J. Casey, and W. N.-Anderson waited on the Council with a view to getting a reduction in the rent of the domain for football purposes. Mr. MeGill'introduced the deputation. Or. O'Rourke stated the remarks mack at a meeting had been read in the paper. He stated that he was a supporter of all branches of sport, and said, that when the fee for the domain was fixed the Council took into consideration the cost of the grandstand, insurance, etc. He was sorry to hear that the Union was losing money on the ground, but he' considered this due to

the fact that Otaki" was not getting its fair share of senior matches. When they read about the meeting'he and others had decided to again consider the matter. They did not wish to stand in the way of "the Union, and although -the Council was poor it did not mind losing a,little money for the sake of sport. Mr. Casey hoped that the Council would meet them in the way of a reduction of rental, and while adinitting that the Council's task was not an easy one he thought it would act in a reasonable way. The Rugby Union officials, like Councillors, took up honorary positions, and of times were out oi pocket, but they regarded it a duty to young mjen to To foster sport co-operation was necessary. Mr. Casey then gave figures of gate receipts received last year, and said that when the Union took .over"they were £IOO to the bad. In consequence it was agreed to play important matches at Levin and so get good gate money. The Levin Council charged £2O for their ground, Foxton £2 18s, Shannon £B, aVI Otaki £l7 10s. The Otaki ground, stated Mr. Casey, was a hard one to collection as two gatekeepers and a man for the stand had to be engaged. Motor transportation was also higher and this affected teams and referees. This season the Union had agreed to give Otaki the Maori-Pake.ha match, therefore it would be seen they were not centralising matches. Tn Cr. O'Rourkc Mr. Casey stated that the £3l expenses in Otaki included ground rent. Cr. O'Rourke asked why men could not be secured in Otaki to take charge of the gates. Mr. Casey said Otaki men were engaged, but at'the same time Union officiais helped at the grandstand. Cr. Ryder saw no reason why local men should not be engaged, and considered it outrageous to bring men from Levin.

Mr. Anderson: We send men from Levin who never charge for their services.

Cr. Ryder thought more voluntary work, as in the old days, should be done. Sport, to his opinion, was driftinto £ s d .*

Cr. O'Rourko said that he knew men who had given very liberally to encourage sport in Otaki. The Mayor considered that the Council should do its best to encourage 1 sport, while the domain should not be a [ money-making concern. The majority i of boroughs paid £SO t® £6O for the up- ' keep of their grounds, it always 'being recognised that sport tended to advertise .the town. His only grievance was that Otaki did not got more important matches. If these were forthcoming he thought the gate receipts would be much larger. Cr. Ryder said that he was not against sport, and if the Council was in a good position he would favour giving the ground free of charge. Mr. Anderson said last year the Union was in a very bad way, anu decided to make a "welter" of it and get big gates by having matches at .Levin. In consequence smaller places were cut out. Mi\ Casey, on being questioned, stated that he thought £8 would be a fair rental for the Otaki domain. The Mayor considered admittance to the ground should be Is, and free t< die grandstand. Mr. Anderson pointed out that several went through the hockey gate and ended up on the,football ground. Cr. Ryder considered if an important match was being played the Council should not allow the two games—football and hockey—at the saine time. The Mayor said hockey players coiud not be excluded from the ground—hoekeyists could reasonably expect a portion of the area. Mr. Casey referred to an amount still due by the hockey players, a gate Miran ui v. Levin, being offered the hockey Club for 10s. The Mayor considered hockey players entitled to something. Cr. O'Rourko moved that the Union have sole control of the gate and that a small percentage be given the hockey clubs, also that the rental be reduced to £B.—Seconded by Cr. Ryder, and carried.

Cr. O'Rourke also moved that the Union have entire control if no hockey match was on. ,

The Mayor suggested that the Union pay 10 per cent, to the hockey clubs. Mr. Casey said if the Maori-Pakeha match-was to be played at Otaki the Union desired a clear ground. Cr. ■ Ryder proposed that the hockey players have the ground free. —Agreed 10. v

COUNTY DEFEAT SELWYN. The football season, as far as Otaki is concerned, was opened on Monday, when the Selwyn (Wellington) team met a combined County team. The day ■was line, and in consequence there was a large attendance, the gate yielding nearly £9. The game, although players were below form, was a good one, and at time exciting. The home forwards were much heavier than the visiting vanguard but, nevertheless, did not show to the advantage that could rea-

soriably be expected of them. They were sluggish in the pack, while the formation at times was bad, the ball failing to come out as briskly as it should have done. However, in the .loose they excelled, and their rushes were hard to stop, and with the able support of the backs, the Selwyns had but little chance of stopping rushes. The consequence was that the home team won by 223,4 —3, after having the best of the game. County* started off at a great pace and the visitors were kept on the defensive for some time. Tahiwi and McDonald were mainly noticeable, while Chisholm, behind the pack, proved his worth. Selwyn broke away ten minutes later, and although Gleeson saved they came again, and their nippy play/ was very creditable. Prom the side-line Leggatt had a shot at goal, the ball just missing the upright, while almost immediately, after he had a second shot with a similar result,. Parata and McDonald were the next to shine, and through fine passing the latter scored a good try, which remained unconverted. Then Fraser (Selwyn) put in some tricky play and beat most of the opposition. He, however, failed to reach the line. Gleeson retaliated by- a strong run, and then came a neat passing rush between Chisholm, Maihi, Parata, and McDonald. The. Selwyn line was endangered and from a forward rush Maihi quickly took an opportunity, seized the ball, and dived over. Tuna converted, 8-0.-Selwyn accepted two force-downs in quick succession, after which McDonald again scored. Tuna failed at goal, 11—0. Selwyn were prominent in a clever passing bout, but a faulty pass spoilt a likely chance by Fraser. The spell ended: County 11, Selwyn nil. Thcsecond half was a repetition of; the first, but the passing of the home backs showed improvement, and time and again, they ran up the held in good style, only to be stopped by solid play of the visitors. Early in the half Mc-1 Donald scored a try under the posts, but Tahiwi failed to convert, the ball rebounding off an opposition player — 14-0. Then followed some very smart play by the Selwyns, and Haley, through fine play, dogged over and scored. Leggatt failed to convert, 14-3. Then, in turn, McDonald scored another try, which Gleeson converted, 19-3. In the dying stages of the game Maihi scored, and McDonald converted, 24-3. Mr. Kura Davies ably officiated as referee. #■ ' ■ . For the home team Gleeson, at full, was quite reliable. He is a strong run-: ner, sure tackier, and a good kick. Mc-' Donald played splendidly throughout, and his tries were the outcome of strong runs. He was always in position. Webber was reliable, while Warren as a youth who promises to develop into a solid player. Tahiwi and Broughton were reliable, while Chirsholm, a Rngitikei representative player, showed a splendid knowledge of the game. He used his. head, and passed well. The vanguard, with one or two exceptions, have yet something to learn. With their weight they should have been seen to better advantage, and once their faults are overcome the pack is one that will take beating. For Selwyn Moss, at full, played well, while Fraser was the pick of a nice \ three-quarter line. Leggatt was good, I and his place-kicking did him credit: j The forwards proved an even lot; they showed knowledge of the game, and I with form should do well in the Wellington competitions. On Saturday next the championship matches will commence, and good games may be expected. At Otaki the local team will meet County (2.50 p.m.), Otaki thirds will play Kuku, and Para- [ paraumu and College meet at Otaki. Shannon seniors play Wanderers, and Weraroa meet Awahou.