FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 77, 8 April 1913, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

ANNUAL MEETING OF STRATFORD CLUB. The annual meeting of the Stratford Football Club was held last evening, when the President (Mr T. C. Fookes) presided over an attendance of twenty members. ANNUAL REPORT The annual report stated tin,: the Committee were very gratified in being able to report that financially the Club was in a very strong position, having cash in hand and in bank amounting to £62 6s 9d. and the liabilities are nil. The season just passed was not a success from a playing point of view, as neither of the three teams succeeded in winning a championship, although the seniors played off with the Clifton team for the northern premiership. “The Commitee recommends all players this year to train assiduously and systematically,” the report continued, “and a proposal is being placed before the Committee to-night from the Stratford Gymnastic Club, which will require your earnest consideration. The Committee are very sorry to have to report that the Club has lost the services of Mr E. B. Stohr, who has left the district, and desires to place on record its appreciation of his services. The Committee speci-

ally wishes to thank all those who donated medals and trophies, and also all those enthusiastic country members, many of whom have to travel long distances. The thanks of the Club are also due to all those gentlemen who assisted the teams as selectors and advisers. The Club entertained the Canterbury footballers at a smoke concert in the Town Hall on the occasion of their annual match with Taranaki, and the medals and trophies won during the season were presented then.” In conclusion, the Committee trusted that the coming year would be a successful one. The balance sheet showed members’ subs. £5 2s 6d, hon members £1 15s 6d.

The President, in moving the adaption of the report and balance sheet, complimented the management upon the very Excellent balance sheet brought before the meeting. . The balance seemed to grow,larger and larger every year; in fact, a proposal seemed to bo forming that the Club should have a gymnasium. With regard to the report ho must confess that he was much disappointed that the senior team did not get in the final for the Championship. However, he hoped, this year they would bo more successful, and, as in the old days, triumph. The junior teams did not do as well as the senior team, but ! he considered that under the circumstances, the latter made a good showing. The tone of the Club was sound, and the conduct of members was good. In fact, the speaker was pleased ’to say that the Club had maintained the high and honourable position it had occupied for many years. In conclusion, Mr Fookes urged the younger members to rally round the Club, and fill the places left by such good supporters of the Club as Messrs. E. B. Stohr, and E. H. Young, who had loft the district. (Applause.) Mr R. Masters seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

The, following new members were elected:—Messrs H. L. Spratt, W. Woods, F. R. Brown, L. Tichbon, Julian, J. Dobson, B. Hume, Lowe. W. L. Lawrence, A. Jones, G. Oliver, J. H. Hocken, and W. Crockett. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr J. B. Hine, M.P.; president, Mr T. C. Fookes; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. R. H. Cameron, D. J. Malone, R. Masters, S. H. James: club captain, Mr R. Masters; delegates to the Taranaki Rugby Union, Messrs R. Masters (senior), and E. Jackson (junior); secretary, Mr R. W. Woods; treasurer, Mr W. B. Fearon; committee, Messs. R. F. Harkness, R. Boon, H. Edgecombe, J. H. Thompson, A. O’Leary, Campbell Jackson, and W. Sullivan; selectors (seniors), Mr R. F. Harkness; (juniors), Messrs R. Wood, R. F. Harkness, and Captain of Ist Juniors. It was decided that the opening day bo fixed for April 10th, and to ask tho Committee to arrange for a match with an outside club. A GYMNASIUM. Mr H. L. Spra tt explained tho details of arrangements made by the Stratford Gymnastic Club, and asked that the Football Club should subsidise tho Gymnastic Club, in return for use of tho hall, and tho Club’s apparatus. A motion was carried that the proposal bo referred to tho Committee for favourable consideration, and with power to act. GENERAL. Tho President announced that ho would donate a medal for tho besttrained man in thp Seniors. Mr T. Mercer had promised a football to tho Club, as also, had Mr Sharp. Votes of thanks were passed to donors of medals, and it was decided to place on record tho Club’s appreciation of tho services of Messrs. E. B. Stohr and E. H. Young. Thanks were also accorded to tho retiring officers, to tho referees, and to the Press.

LEAGUE RUGBY. TOUR OF NEW ZEALANDERS. PROSPECTS OF GAME IN THE DOMINION. The Now Zealand League footballers who are to visit New South Wales this season will probably open their tour early in June. Tho twenty-two

or twenty-four players will bo drawn from pretty well the whole of the! Dominion. Mr E. Hughes, of Invercargill! who earned representative Honours in New Zealand football, some four or five years ago, was quite recently in Sydney, and in an interview stated that the League gamOj was going in to boom in New Zealand, | especially in the South Island, this! year. “Most of the prominent play- j ers,” ho said, “have already signified | their intention of playing the game, j and no doubt some of our boys iu fbt»| South will ho with the representative | team in New South Wales, and pro/e.j that the football of New Zealand is, played in our end of the Dominion. : The League was practically dead iu tue South Island until last season, when a revival was started at Christchurch.! and now the game is going with a i s wing, and no doubt the six senior | teams at present in existence in Christchurch will be largely supplemented. Before leaving New Zealand 1 was assured by a prominent Union! player that the League was to got | vary solid support this season. The, visit of the New South V\ ales team last year gave the game a great lift ' throughout New Zealand. The Scuffi 1 .land should bo more than able to, 1 old its own with the North Gland ais year.