STRATFORD FOOTBALL CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 84, 13 April 1915, Page 2

STRATFORD FOOTBALL CLUB.

The twenty-fourth annual meeting of the- above Club was held in Messrs C. and E. Jackson's office last night. .Mr 11. Masters, in the absence of the President, Mr T. C. Fookes, presided over an attendance of about fifteen members. THE ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report and balance-sheet was read as follows: —Your committee have to report a fairly successful season. While the Club was not successful in securing any of the championships, the standard of football in jthe Club was very high, and very keen ■ interest was maintained in the gante right through the season. We regret having again to report the need of playing members meeting their obligations in the matter of paying their subscriptions. Only 21 out of about 50 members paid their dues to the Club, and we think that, as a matter of loyalty and honor to their Club, each member should pay his subscription. The outlook for the coming season is not very bright on account of so many members having gone to the war; 11 senior and 8 junior members are now serving their country, and we feel proud to have the knowledge that the Stratford Football Club has contributed so many men to light for the Empire in this great battle for right and justice. The thanks of the Club are due to Messrs T. C. Fookes, J. H. Thompson, C. Jackson, T. Mercer, and S. Sharp for the presentation of footballs for last season's play. The finances of the Club are in a most satisfactory condition, the credit balanco being £66 6s 3d. The balance-sheet was lead as follows :Receipts.— Balance from 1913. £64 16s 6d; members' subs., £2 12s 6d; gate receipts, £lB 12s; savings bank (interest, £2 ss. Total, £BB 6s.

Expenditure.—Rugby Union sub., £3 3s; Rugby Union 10 per cent, gates, £1 Is 9d; donation to school, £3 3s; referees' expenses, £2 l.'Js; footballs, £2 12s 6d; gatekeeper, £1 15s; advertising. £-1 2s; stamps and telegrams, lis 2d; sundries, £2 18s kl; cash in savings bank, £63 2s 3d; cash' in hand, £3 4s. Total, £BS 6s. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said the finances were in a sound position, notwithstanding that playing on Saturday militated against the gates. He regretted Stratford was not successful in any of the championships, but after all that was not the only thing they played football for. He referred especially to the matter of members not meeting their obligations in the way of subscriptions. The outlook for the playing year was none too bright, but this may not be against the interests of football. He might say it would be the juniors' year, and give them a chance of proving their worth. The motion was seconded by Mr C. Stewart and carried. OFFICE BEARERS. The following office-bearers were elected: — Patron, Mr J. B. Hine, M.P. President, Mr T. C. Fookes. Vice-Presidents, Messrs C. Jackson, R. Masters, D. J. Malone, and Peattie. 1 Club Captain, Mr C. Jackson. Delegates to Rugby Union, Messrs It. Masters and E. Jackson. Secretary, B. Burgham. Treasurer: Mr E. P. Kelleher. Auditor, Mr C. Potts. Committee: Messrs C. Stewart, It. G. Harkness, I). Sutherland, T. Wilson, E. Jackson, C. Potts, C. Williams. Selector Junior team, Mr M. Harkness. Selector Junior team: Messrs Harkness, C. Jackson and Captain of Junior team. The following new members were elected: C. Williams, F. Kane, F. O'Connor, C. Thurston, E. P. Kelleher, VA. Fowler, J. Hancock. CHANGE OF BOUNDARIES. The Chairman reported, as delegate to the Rugby Union, that a deputation had waited on the Union at its annual meeting with reference to the alteration of boundaries, made necessary through the formation of the Out East Union. Consideration had been deferred until the Stratford Club could discuss the proposed alteration. He added that the fixing of the whole of the boundaries for the province was to be gone into. The proposed change would be: On the west side from Kahouri Bridge of the Patea River to Robson Road, up the Mangaehu river to Tututawa bridge, along Cowan Track to East Road, up Makahu river •to the junction of Makahu and Akaura Roads, along the railway line to Huiroa, Makuri Road, and from Huiiroa to Stanley Road, back Beaconslield Road to Kahouri bridge. After a long discussion, it was agreed that the proposed boundaries as submitted be approved, except that the sections facing oil Beaconsfield roa ( j and Stanley Road as far as the Croydon Road be included in the Stratford area. As the whole of the district boundaries are to be considered it was agreed that it lie a recommendation to the management committee to include in the Stratford area in the north the district as far as the Maungawiti stream. GENERAL. A sum of C.'i ;)s was voted to the primary schools football fund. It was decided to open the season with a practice match on Victoria Park next Thursday.