FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 263, 29 March 1913, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

Football may now be said to be in the air, ami in the course of a week or two the leather .sphere will be literally in the air, when it is not being kicked along the earth by two perspiring, struggling teams of forwards or grimly elutclted to the breast of some budding Messenger among the backs in a frantic attempt to achieve honor and glory by planting the leather across the line and registering the first try of the season.

Footballers are up and doing early this year, mustering their forces for the coming fray, and it augurs well for the prospect of the coming season that all seem sanguine of putting into the field much improved teams. Already in the Northern Division the Eltham, Star, Tukapa and Okato slubs have held their meetings, and all report an inllux of new materia!, some of which is s:i.id to ha very good, and will he given an opportunity, of showing its calibre at an early date. The Rugby Union held its annual meeting last night, and no doubt the remaining clubs will quickly fall into line and get their annual meetings over early next week. Eltham had a very enthusiastic meeting. This club had a down season last year, anil will be gladly welcomed back among tlie senior, fifteens. Inglewood has not been heard from yet, but is holding its meeting shortly. The maroons have many admirers for the gallant battles they fought of yore against overwhelming odds, and it is hoped that, like the Phoenix, they will rise again in full vigor out of the ashes of the past. The Saturday half-holiday is exercising the minds of footballers. There is no doubt whatever that football and all sport, which is being stultified by the dual half-holiday at present in vogue, would be greatly benefited by a itiiversal half-holiday. Petitions for polls on the question are being freely signed in all six towns, and are almost certain to be put in to-day. If the poll takes place it will be held on April 30. Every footballer over 21 resident in the boroughs for three months is entitled to vote, so it behoves them to see that they are in a position to use it, for the innovation is not going to be carried without a struggle.

The Okato Club held its annual meeting last week. The country club is in a good financial position, due to good management on the oflicials' part, notably Mr. -I. L. Tower's, who has been secretary since the club joined (he Saturday division. Some new blood lias j entered the district, though some of the I old has left. Larry Carey, the genial forward, will probably not be seen •ut ! in the earlier games, but will go into training, so as to get into harness as soon as possible. Flavors are evidently paying more attention to the necessity of training. The trained team will win against much more powerful untrained opponents. A win or two early in the season has great moral effect on the fifteen. It should be every flayer's ambition to lie the fit--1 test man in his team,, able to go from I start to no-side, and not lag in that final'hard-fought ten minutes, when victory is often turned into defeat. Both ) town clubs are considering the matter of training quarters, but, as one enthusiastic Hover and Tukapa supporter said, •"'What is wanted more than the facilities to train is the spirit to induce players, to train and use those facilities and to "keep on training."

"Simon" Mynot has accepted the posi] tion ,'of club captain of the Tukaoa, Club, which will thus have the. benefit of the 'veteran .All-Black's advice and experience. ".;.'tee,«';ir./\vlio is at prescntm Stratford, wjll'probahly not be available for Stars this Reason. ' Feftnuiil, the Clifton three-quarter, who' showed so much promise as a rep. last season, will don the black jersey. Foyers have not yet had their annual meeting, but the club is said to be much Improved in the forward line, and with its nippy backs will prove a tough proposition. . Fitzroy'mav not be able to enter a team in the Saturday competition. In that case Star's ranks may be considerably .augmented.

Tukapa juniors intend making an effort to raise funds to take a trip to Havvke's 'Tiav at the end of tlio season, playing matches en route. 'Out F.ast tliev are keen on football. Several clubs have been formed and a sub-union has been mooted, embracing about five clubs, to be affiliated to the Tare.miki Busby Union. Such an addition should be welcome. Auckland draws a lot of its best representative material from its affiliated country unions. There are some hefv forwards out back. The Waimai.e Ciub, which is holding its annual meeting on Monday evening. promises, so a resident of the "city of the plains" informed the writer, to be as tough a proposition as ever. It has sustained losses in the shenc of Prince, who has removed to Xortheru Wairoa. c'vanVle-), to Wanganni. and J. K. Mac-l.-ay, v,!:o is about to retire, and it is ai-o stated that. Younn's injured knee wii! preclude his appearine; neon the play-ij:!>" grmind (his season. K. Cameron, the TV.tea and representative plaver. will don the blue and black jersey this ■■!■: v. and there are plei-.tv of junior furwa.rds anxious to shine in the seniors. The uurlv duo, Tamil and i'iui, will be out ea'-iv. 'hat trip to Australia being a great attraction.

At a meet inn id' the general committee of the Welsh Rugby T'nien. held at Cardin', a Ml or was received from ('':■ Xcath !''!:ih. a-kitig the I'nion to take action <e--er the charges made in the Soulh African Press against Xeat h. Swansea. Llamllv and Welsh spectators and players. The Union decided to edv;v thi> Xe-.ih Club to duke no notice of'what- appeared from an irresponsible nressma". in the Stoutb .-Urican press. Mr. .'!". A. Clark. We ran. writes:--! !ioiie» bv Cie annual report of ihe Slar IWoM W fliib that this U the (ir-d; tima since P.■■:;.- that the dub was financial. r beg to inform the pres-nt secretarv tlut'im is wroii"-. and that if he leeVs ,::-, (■••> 1 0..U he will bed that in VdT.l]i) -i'ae <!r'i was financial, and that it liaid a er-v.i'. of £l-! some odd -hidings and no i'ali ; ! ; ties. Tiatt was the time [ ~-: lVi. ,-.\-er the secretaryship;, to Mr. I. Hill, owir.- to :nv Mines?..' Me says, th-'t Mi' ce:"--ii(ee did aid: know where it stood. V.: Id. I would livedo inform him that the ..•n:nmitt"e knew where it stood when 1 was secretary.