FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 68, 10 March 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

TAIIANAKI UMOX. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Rugby Ftmtball Union takes place at iStratford on the 20th inst. The annual report to l»e presented is as follows: "In again submitting the annual report and balance-sheet your executive are very pleased to say that both from a football and tinancial point of view the past season has been a successful one. Five representative matches wer« played, three of which were won; one abandoned owing to the state of the weather, and one lost. The senior cup contest, was again won by Stratford; iirst juniors by Star, and second juniors by Pa tea. The balance-sheet shows a credit of Clti. of which amount C2H has been ear-marked for the fostering of school football ,it having bivn decided to procure four challenge shields. Last season Pa tea won the southern school shield, no other division liaving made the necessary arrangements for contests, but it is hoped the four divisions will be contestants this season. It is worthy of mention that the 1,008 season is the iirst in which the Union has started with a credit balance after a touring .season. Footballers and their supporters throughout the province will be pleased to know that the ranks of clubs will be augmented by the addition of three western clubs. Although this will undoubtedly weaken the Opunake Club, who have labored under great difficulties during their existence, owing to the large and scattered district, they have magnanimously assisted in bringing tlie scheme of four clubs in the place of one forward, and it is to be hoped that the change will be successful and to the best interests of all concerned. Footballers in general with a very large section of the public, will feel the lofts of our late president, Mr. Alf. Bayly, who crossed the Great Divide a few months ago. itii connection with football has been so long and honorable, and he had so creditably filled many important offices in connection with the pastime that a gap has been left which will be difficult to : fill. Peace to his ashes! Tt will be I necessary for players to begin the game this season as early as possible, owing to the fact that ther ( » are many representative matches, including one with the visiting English team, and taken all together the season promises to bo an hi'teresting one.

ANNUAL MEEI'IXG i'ATLA CLUB. The annual meeting uf lliu I'atea Football Club was held oil Friday evenlug last. The annual report congratulated the club oil the success of last season, the seniors and thirds having carried oil' the premiership honors of the southern division. Recommendations were made that in order to organise the junior and third teams organisers be appointed at the annual meeting instead of leaving the election of ollieers for these teams over until the cup matches had practically started, and that the incoming committee take into consideration the question of fencing the ground. The balance-sheet, which showed a credit balance of £M 15s 3(1, was adopted. Fifty-seven ,new members were elected.

The following officers were elected President, Mr. ,T. A. McKenna; vice-pre-sidents, Messrs. Cargill, O'Dea, ({. V. Pearce, and A. Pearce; secretarv. Sir. G. Beamish; treasurer, Mr. G. Browne; captain senior team, Mr. Con. Shealian; vice-captain. Jlr. ({. Prouse; organiser of junior teams. Messrs ft. Brown and Fmvler; organiser* of third teams, Messrs. E. Mercer and Piki Broughton; coach. Mr. Cargill; delegate to the Union. Jlr. Cargill; management committee. Messrs. (!. Sheahan, Ti. llamerlon. O. Prouse. H. TTamerton. T ; ;imbert. and (i. Browne; senior selection committee, Messrs. 0. Sheahau. C. liourke. T. She.ihan; auditor, Mr. Cargill.

It was suggested that the opening be held on March 27th. Tt was dended that the secretarv convey to the relathes of the late Mr. .T, Adanison the sympathy of the elub in their bereavement.