FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 289, 15 May 1915, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

FIXTUKKS FOR, KEXT WEEK. THURSDAY, MAY 20. First juniors: Tukiipn v. Kltlmm, nt XV w l'lymoiitii; Star v. Clifton, at Waitar*; Jnglcwood v. .Stratford, ut Stratford;. Xew Plymouth High School a bvc Second juniors: .Ellhani v. Now Plymonth, at Elthani; (Stratford v. .Stratford D.HS., at Sti-atfi.nl (1.311 p.m.); Ingle-wood v. Clifton, at luglcwood. SATURDAY, .MAY 22. Seniors; Tukupa v. Clifton, at Waitara; Okato v. Star, at Now Plymouth; Inglewood v. Stratford, at Inglewood. XLW ZEALAND RUOBY UXfON.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand: Rugby Union was held at Wcl'ington on Thursday night. The president of tlie union (.Mr, ,1. Annul), in moving the adoption of the annual report, referred to the siuicesK of the tour of the New Zealand' team in Australia. Regarding the question of nuance, the executive would, have to handle the reins very tightly. All must recognise that last year- was unique in the annals of "football, owing to tlie war. It must be gratifying to llle union to know that iO many men were prepared to sacrifice their lives to uphold the honor of the flag. When the members of the union bad such a recompense as this th.ev were well repaid for all the time and trouble tliey Had 1 put into tliegaiw. He thought it might not he out of place to get into touch with the Defence Department with the object of circularising all the unions in an-endeavor to further stimulate yecrniting. The. meeting should pass a vote of Hynipathy with the relatives of players wlio were killed or wounded at the front.

Oflicers for the ensuing year were elected 1 as follows:—Patron, his Excellency tlie Governor (Lord Liverpool); president; Mr. G. fT. Mason (Canterbury)-; vice-presidents:- Auckland, Mr. , A. Devore; South Auckland' Mr. T. Clarkin, Poverty Bay Mr. W. B'. Miller, Bay of Plenty Mr. W. T." Parata, Taranaki Mr. A. Lees, Wanganui Mr. W. G. Spriggins, Manawatu Mi-. ,1. F. Manning, VVi'iirarapa> Mr. 1). K. Iyigan, Wellington Mr; G. F: 8. Campbell, Nelson Mr. H. W. Styles; ■ Marlborough Mr. J. Lord,' Bliller Mr: ,]. Colviu, M.P., West Coast Mr. T. Flynii, Canterbury Mr. F. F. Evans, South Canterbury Mr. W. Drake, Otiigo Mr. H. Harris, Southland Mr A. ,K Geddis; Hawke's Hay, Bush District, and Hovowlloiuni vice-presi-dents to- lie elected by those unions; management committee: Messrs G. H. Dixon, .I. 0. Fa die, W. Perry, E. 0. Hales, Dr.- McKvedy, A. Laurenson, anil ■I. H. A.. Laugh'ton; lion, treasurer, Mr. i 10., Wylie (re-elected); auditor, Mr. 0. G. Ke.niber.; representative on the English union, Mr, C, Wray Piilfiser. The-Appeal Council will be located in We'lington, and l will comprise Messrs V. U. Meredith, M: J. Cronibic, and A. Campbell (re-elected). ■ ■

It was decided' that the North v. South: Island' matches be abandoned thin year.

The Management Committee is to be recommended to favorably consider any suggestion: for. tlie- removal of suspension from any player- who volunteers and is accepted for active service. Some discussion, took place on tin; amount of money to be voted towards school football, uricT it was finally decided to vote .tl'aO:

The following rcsotuti-m was passed on the- motion of the chairman: —"That this meeting- of the New Zealand Rugby [.'noii' wishes to accord its hearty sympathy to the relatives of our boyß who have- lbst their Jives at the front, and hopes: tlimt those who have been wounded will soon recover, and be able to go. to the front again."

A tetter will be sent to General Godioy tu be conveyed to the men at the frout congratulating them on their achievement at the Dardanelles.

NEWS AND NOTES. Club secretaries are at their wits' end so find men to replace those who have volunteered for the front. Generally at this stage, within a week of the opening of the fixtures, the various senior teams at any rate are definitely chosen. Clubs, however, have this year to call on so many new and untried men that they are waiting until after the practice this weekend before making their final selection.

The personnel of the teams will suffer considerable change as the season goes on. Footballers are doing their duty in volunteering, and each week sees a fresh butch handing in their names. Football keenly played keeps the men fit, and should be a fine aid to the military ofllcials in getting the men ready for tho front. Trentham camp has entered three senior teams for the Wellington Cup competition, and nearly a whole fifteen hail from Taranaki.

Present appearances point to ail tho dubs being much weaker than was the case last year. While at present it is possible to attempt to gauge the strength of the respective teams, it seems safe to assume that there will be considerable evening down. Clifton, Tukapa and (Stratford have lost representative men whom they will find hard to replace, whercap Okato and Inglcwood, while suffering considerably, should be able to replace the men they have lost with others equally as good. Tnkapa's defections include Paul, Stohr, McAllum, Morshead, Qiiilliam, Hawkins, Webster, etc. Clifton's include 13. Roberts, C. Drown, S. Cameron, It. Taylor, and Kupi, whilst Stratford have lost, among others, Dewar, Reid, Stewart, Young, AVhittington, Cameron, etc. It is stated that it is very doubtful if Star will be able to place a senior team in the field this year. Quite a number of their last year's players will don the blue and white jersey for Tukapa. It is to be hoped that an effort will be made to revive the Star Club, a club that has been associated with all that is brightest and best in Taranaki football.

The Okalo team is journeying to Raliotn this afternoon to play n match against combined Parihaka and Kahotu. The Okato team will comprise I). Wilson, 11. lliennan, W. Harvey, J. Aylward, P. Corbett, C. Eustace, 11. Corbett, ■I. Hickey, P. Croeuway, H. Andrew*, Ryan, ().' .lulian, L. Carey, 1). O'Sulli\an. and Newlovo. THE KASPKR CUP. A meeting of delegates from chl'os competing for the Rasper Cop was held at Eahotu when there were present: H. Marl in (chairman), Puc, and J. Graham (Parihaka), d. Glentworth and S. Baker (Rahntu), .1. Tnku and Ngawhare (Pnnilio). Pihama, last year's cup winner, was not represented. It was decided to continue the competition this year, and start ilie fixtures on Saturday, May :?!:th. Tin- same boundaries and rules

as last vear were adopted, All players within the dislricts will be eligible to play in Hie competition, but any player who plays for Okato or Opunake district teams under the T.E.U. will he debarred from fiiriher participation in the Kasper Cup Competition. fixtures were drawn up a3 follows: — May 2!).—Rahotu v. Pihama, at Pihama'; Paniho v. Parihaka, at Parihaka. dune ').— Rahotu v. Parihaka, at Rahotu; Pihania v. Pmiiho, at Punilio. ■linio 1 i. —Rahotu v. Puniho, at Punibo; Parilii\ki\ v, Pikawa, at PiUama,