FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 229, 26 March 1912, Page 8

FOOTBALL

STRATFORD FOOTBALL CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Stratford Rugby Football Club was held last night.; Mr. R. H. Cameron presided over a good attendance of members. The annual report was presented as follows: —The committee are very gratified to be in a position to announce that the season has been an unqualified success. This is due not only to the enthusiastic support accorded by the public, but to the animated spirit displayed by the players. The club commenced with a credit balance of £4l 7s lOd, and after discharging the usual expenditure for the season wound up with a credit balance of £SB 8s Id. It will therefore be seen that the past season resulted in a nett profit of £l7 0s 3d, which is I extremely satisfactory. Another mat[ter for congratulation is that players' subscriptions show a marked increase as compared with the previous year. With very few exceptions every playing member was financial, and it is sincerely hoped that in this direction the approaching season will equal, if not sur-. pass, the past year. Prior to the commencement of the season the committee successfully negotiated with the A. and P. Association for the hire of the As- < sociation's grounds. Consequently these grounds were the venue of all matches, and the change was greeted with universal favor. The oval ring provides a splendid playing field. The surface is dry, level, and nicely turfed,' and the commodious grandstand is most convenient both to players and to patrons. Three teams were entered for the cr ">' competitions, and of these the seeo , juniors were the most successful, nithough the first juniors and the seniors occupied prominent positions. The seniors were runners-up for the division, and a similar position was occupied by the first juniors. The first juniors are to be complimented on their wonderful recovery, having risen from the lowest position in the competition to the position of runners-up. The second juniors were triumphant in carrying off the honors for the division, but in the final they were compelled to bow to defeat. The success of the first and second juniors is in a large measure due to the courtesy, energy, and ability of their selector, Mr. R. G. Harkness. The committee wishes specially to thank those who kindly donated medals and trophies for competition amongst members. These medals and trophies were duly presented at the annual smoke concert in August last. The committee also wishes to thank members for their quiet, orderly and exemplary behaviour on and off the field. A special word of praise is due to the enthusiastic country members, many of whom have to journey long distances under trying conditions. The club is unfortunate in losing the services of its energetic secretary, Mr. R. D. Brown, and the meeting will be called upon to elect a secretary, and also to elect officers for the ensuing year. For the committee—E. H. Young,'chairman."' The report was adopted. Officers were elected as follow:—Patron, Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P.; president, Mr. T. C. Fookes; vice-president, Messrs F. W, Webster, R. H. Cameron, S. H. James, D. J. Malone, E. B. Stohr, H. Good, J. Masters, E. Jackson, and W. Collins; club captain, Mr. R. Masters; delegates to T.R.U., senior Mr. D. J. Malone. junior, Mr. R. Masters; secretary, Mr. Barney Fearon; treasurer, Mr. C. H. Potts; committee* Messrs- H. Edgeeumbe, C. Jackson, R. G. Harkness, A. H. O'Leary, R. Wood, E. B. Stohr; selectors, (senior) Messrs R. Masters, B. Fearon, J. Thomas I and (junior) R. G. Harkness.

The season will be officially opened on April 18th. ' V A detailed report will appear to-mor-row. ROVERS' CLUB. There was a fair attendance of members at the annual meeting of the Rovers Rugby Football Club, which was held in the Town Hall last night. The president (Mr. A. McHardy) was in the chair. The annual report and balance-sheet, a precis of which has already appeared in the News, was read and adopted. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow:—President, Mr. E. F. Blundell; vice-presidents, Messrs A S* ■•Glasgow, A. R. Standish. J. Paton, B. A Clmney, N. K. McDiarmid, J. C. Nicholson, J. B. Roy, J. H. Quilliam, G. Weldon, McHardy, J. Terry, Drs. Blackley, Fookes and Walker; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. T. J. Ellis; auditor, Mr. Stowe; club captain, Mr. A. C. Thompson; management committee, Messrs D Webster, I. P. Grant, J. Hore; selection committee, Messrs I. P. Grant, A. C Thompson, and D. Webster; delegate to Association, Mr. D. Webster. The annual subscription was fixed the same as last year.

Saturday, April 13, was decided upon as the opening day of the season, and the matter of a ground was left in the hands of the management committee to arrange. During the evening the matter of running a junior competition on Saturdaye was broached by a speaker, who considered that all that was wanted to start it was three teams. He added that there was a possibility of the High School running junior teams. After a short discussion, during which several of those present expressed themselves dubious _ of sufficient support being forthcoming, the matter was referred to the management committee, along with a request that the club pay half of players' insurance money. By unanimous rote the meeting decided that ladies should be admitted free to all matches. The meeting concluded with votes of thanks to the secretary (Mr. A. H. Grant), the retiring president (Mr. A. McHardy), donors of trophies and the press. The chairman was also heartily thanked for presiding over the proceedings, which were marked with enthusiasm.

OKATO CLUB. TJio annua] meeting of the Okato Football Club was held at the coastal township on Saturday evening. Mr. D. P. Evans presided over an attendance of about 20 members. j The report, which reviewed the last season's operations, was adopted, as wnsj also the balance-sheet, which showed a

credit balance of £3 Cs sd, a very satis-1 factory condition of affairs. | It was decided to again enter a team I for the Saturday competition. ( Officers were elected as follows:—Pat-j ron, Mr. J. Putt (re-elected), president. Mr. Booker (re-elected); management jcommittee, Messrs X. Andrews, E. Turner, D. Evans, E., Mai one, and J. L. I Power; club' captain, Mr. E. Malone; selection committee, Messrs D. Evans, L. Carey, and captain; delegate to T.E.U., Mr. Jas. Garcia (re-elected); secretary, Mr. ,T. L. Power (re-elected). The subscription was fixed at ss, and the first practice for Saturday, April 13. As the Okato colours clash with those already in use by another club, it was { resolved to select, first, maroon and gold; second, red, white and blue; or, thirdly, blue and green. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr. Putt for the use of his ground, to Mr. Garcia for his services as delegate, to the press, and to the retiring officers and chairman. THE WAIMATE CLUB. The Waimate Club was always fairly financial, and this year it boasts of a credit balance of £lOl. The report complimented the club on having had a very successful season. The seniors had again made a very fine showing, having been, j runners-up for the southern division. The juniors put up a similar record, but I the third team was credited with a very record, having scored 118 to nil and won the Taranaki championship without having had their line crossed. The Premier was elected patron, Mr. C. H. Allison secretary, and Messrs McKav ami Glenn delegates. <

THE HAWERA CLUB. At the annua] meeting of the Ha-wera Club on Saturday, the halitnpp-shppf showed a credit of £2.1. Mr. W. Cowpor was elected captain and Mr. L. G. Bertmish secretary. Messrs O'Dea and Hunter were appointed delegates to the Union.

THE OPUNAKE CLUB. The balance-sheet of the Opunake Club, which held its annual meeting on Saturday, showed a small credit balance. Mr. S. Forsyth was elected captain, Mr. A Stitt secretary, and Messrs A. Gray and G. King delegates to the Union.