FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1919, Page 7

FOOTBALL

ftiCRESENTATIVt HXfUBEfi. Atirtrat M»t. woiroft saS'Union. August 83—v. Auckland, #t Auckland. ■ StfileniMr WHiiganul, nt Wangafinl. September I)—v. Wellington, it Wellington. September 13—v. Auckland, at New Plymouth Position of the teams. THURSDAY COMPETITION. BBNIOBS. l'layeil. Won. Lost. Drawn. Points. Tukapa ~. fl 3 1 2 8 Stratford ..5 t 1 1 7 Ettbam ...SI 4 2 4 Inglanrood .SI 8 1 I BATDRDAY COMPETITIONS. SIB.VIOB. Clifton ... 5 ~4 1 » Star, 5 4 1 8 Old Bojs >.4 12 1 4 Okato .... 6 2 4 Hubotu ... e TO-DAV'S FIXTOBEB. Seniors—Old Boy»- v. Ituhotu, at New Plymouth, Mr. Koch; Ok«t» f. Clifton, at Wultara, Mr! West. Second Juntors—Lcpporton T. Tukapa, at New Plymouth, Mf. 1). Johnson; Star v. Hltfli School A, Mr. Hooker; Clifton v. Stratford D.H.S., at \Valt»ra, Mr. George. FIXTURES FOR NEXT WEEK. THUBSDAY, AUGUST 14. Representative natch, Taranakl v. Wairoa at Stratford. * SATURDAY, AUGUST 18. Seniora—Oluto v. Old Boys, at Okato; Clifton v. Star, at New Plymouth. Second Junlqw.—High School B. v. Leppetton, nt -Vfew Plymouth; High School A. v. Tukapa, at Nrv Plymouth; Star y. CltftOu, lit lValtara; Stratford D.H.S. a bye. »TMTFOBP~(i) v. ELTHAM (3). The Stratford Becond juniors defeated Elthara, on Thursday, on the latter ground by 6 points to 3. STAR (S) V. HIGH SCHOOL (0). The. second round match between Star first Juniors and Hieh School was played on Thursday, In Pukekura Park and Star were again victorious the r , scores being 5 points to nil. Mf. p. Johnson was. referee. OLD BOYS v. RAHOTU. • The following Old Boys meet Bahqtu at Pukektira Park this afternoon: Dolle;, jjwlnir, Calder, Brokenahlro, Saxton, Cot kill, Eggleton, Hughes, A. touches, Sole, Little, Wynyard, McDonald, Herbert, Throssell, Toi. The following will' represent Tukapa juniors against Xepperton at Western Park to-day, at 8.30 pra.: Erans, Worsely, Murphy, Davis, Gilbert, QulcktMl, Leplne, Ouckfall, Haift, Leonard, Bodmin, gtohr, Meßardy, McLean, Tlchbon. Emergencies, Boultoti, Redwood. J • "The following will represent Stor second juniors agalpst High School at Bacecourse on Saturday ft 3 p m.Jenkins, fltcher, Belcher, H|jrley, Haldahe, Tunbrldge, Amor, Bowler, Way, Binirke, Lealand, A. Mills, Bedford, Clare, Henry. Emergencies: Jalwassor, Boon. REFEREES AND RUGBY UNION. TBE CONFERENCE AT STRATFORD. . At Stratford on Thursday, the conference salted for by the . Northern Division of the Referees' Association with the Taranakl Rugby 'Union was held, when a number of matters j were : discussed frankly. There were present, Messrs, Jas McLeod (chairman), T.' Buchanan, W. B. Hnrknoss, A. R. Ryder, R. 0.1 Harkneaa, R. Master) - and R. R. Tyrer, representing the Rugby Union, whilst Messrs. G. Hopkins (chairman), W. Boch, Bert Petty, L Humphries, } v Hooker, J. fl. Thompson, and later H Nuttsll and J. Scoon, represented the Referees' Association.' The chairman pointed out thnt the Union executive could not be considered as being on trial, because' its responsibility was to the clubs that elected U. He appealed to nil to discus* ' the grievances amicably and Impartially. All were out for one end—the advancement of football. Mr. Hopkins hoped that as a result of the dleousslon' on the vnrloUs matters complete unison would be established between the Taranakl Rugby Union and the Beferees' Association. The questions were dealt with seriatim. ALLEGED DIFFERENTIATION. The flrit was that of the differentiation In i the sentences on Kep&, a Maori boy, a member of the Clifton juniors, and C. Klvell, a | member of the Stratford senior team for using i obscene language. Kepa'a offence was for r using bud language to one of the players at a match at Waltara He was suspended for :tlte- remainder of the season. C, Klvell, for using obscene language, to the referee In the Stfatford-SltUam match, was suspended for a month, Mr. Hopkins said the Referees' Association eonsldeted, that Klvell'a was the' most serious offence. He was a senior player, and they w»ate<J a man to understand that he mutt not do any such thing. 'Bo inquired if the Association could appeal to the Union, which had not sentenced the man as should have done. Mr. McLeod said that the object of the conference was to get the .Union to see the referees' view-point If he could be shown that the punishments were not sufficient to deter. offenders, the sentences could be increased in the future. Mr. Hopkins said that what the referees objected to. Was that according to the £Hh»m Argus, H had >e«n stated thnt Klvell was n useful man to his club, and that his services would be' lost if he was disqualified for the season. It seemed that because a man was a useful player ho got a light penalty. In the other case the offender, a boy, who was not very useful bore the brunt. He would accept the statement of Mr. McLeod that the remarks were not as repotted. Mr. Buchanan considered referees should supply fuller reports on the offences complained of. He Intended to bring up Kepa's rase With 4 view to bavin#'the sentenco reviewed. Eepa used the language complained of to a player, which wns different to using obscene language to the referee. Mr. McLeod said there was a general feeling that obscene lanauwte should bo checked. If the sentences Inflicted were not effective, future sentences could be Increased. Klrell bad tho benefit of the doubt as '° whether Hit language was Used to the referee cr otherwise,

Mr. Jtyeh said U appeared the Untyn had no confidence in the reportoorf r the referee. Mr McLeod said that in this instance tho referee looked round and asked who used the language complained of. it wag admitted on the spot by the offender, but not as hav* Ing been directed to the referee, If they must sentence a player because a referee said the offence was committed, then the referees would have, to take charge, because everything would be In their hands. The Association was golns to take ivp a lurd and fast attitude that a referee could not make an error. The majority of opinion was to give .the men both tho same sentences, not that ihe Union did not believe Mr. Nuttall, but because there was a doubt, and it would,bo found that the suspensions would work out the same In both cases. It was agreed that If a player wus reported by a referee he must be punished, and if the Association did not agree with the sentence It was entitled to A»k for the Union's reasons.

Mr Hopkins asked whether K1 veil's case could ba revlowed, with a view to inflicting a heavier sentence.

Hr. Buchanan doubted whether a sentence could bo tocrensod, though U eould b$ reduced. Mr. ' McLeod said the matter would be brought before the Union with the object, cf reviewing It if possible. He asked tho referees whether they considered that the use of obscene language on the football fields was increasing this'year, as they would like a lead to enable them to deal with any reported cases. •

Messrs. Itoeh and Humphries staled that they did not think it was, and the former said that he only hoard one word Bald that day, and it was nalfl in such a manner that he could not take exception to It. A discussion took place oyer the me of a certain objectionable word, which it was held was now teswded almost as a term of endearment. PAYMENT OF BXFENBEB.

r The ne*t complaint mn about the letter written toy the secretary of the Htratfnrd Club in'Mply to n letter from the secretary of tho Heforees' Association, Uruwini* attention tq the fact- thnt he hnd not paid the expense? of referees engapcrt in matches at Stratford, This letter, tho Association regarded m Insulting. M - Mftftterß said he wan authorised .. to state that the Stratford Oluh were willing to Apologlsie to the Referees' Association for the tone'of .tfyp letter, which did not represent the of tho c|uh generally. Mr. HOBklnS sjtid fhnt for some yean, Stratford hudtwen dHutory in paying out referees' mjwws*. ' and the would (uko

where etJiiSBSS toe re hot (laid. The Union was In some instances nlso behind In this ! tnattM. Mr. McLeod said the Stratford Club had Weft censured by the Union nt thß previous meeting. tie also explained the reason for the delajr earned in the Union's cast. IINB UMPIRE'S CONDUCT. Mr. McLwit fefweed to the conduct of a member of the Association who acted its line umplro in the Ptratford-Eltham match last week. The umpire was goinc up iiwi down the line shouting such remarks as "Put the boot. In," "Kick them," etc. Could the Rugby Union place reliance on the report of a referee who when acting as line umplro lost control of himself?

Mr. Hopkins aald the Rugby Union could notify the Referees' Association of any referee whose ability they questioned. ' With regard to the failure of local committees to keep their lines clear, Mr. McLeod said this had been Impressed upon clubs every yenr. If possible the Union would ho more strict on the question, though It wns difficult in the case of grounds without fences, nnd clubs rould not erect fences on grounds they did hot own. Mr. Thompson chnrpred the EHhnm officials with dodelnj? tholr duty .at Inst, week's mntdi. It did not plve the referee n chance. In tho second spell a hoy standing near, actually roftrked a bnll and handed it over to another player. Ref,T.rdln& another complaint, Mr. McLeod said that the .meetings had. til ways been opened to the Press. REPRESENTATION ON COMMITTEE. The next wns a request that the Referees' Association be given representation on the |tucby Union. Mr said thnt this had never been asked for. Mr. Hopkins said that by having somebody on the 'Union who was convorssnt with tho referees' business, there would be more complete harmony between tho two bodies. He appealed to the Union to give them representation in .the interests of tho game, fio that there would be no misunderstanding. He favored talklnff over their grievances in tho committee room and not at tho street corner. Mr. Buchanan explained that In order to get representation oh the Union, the Association. should get one of tho clubs to give notice of motion that the constitution he amended to enable tho Referees' Association to appoint a member to the Union. Such ft would he supported. :Vir. McLeod supported the proposal. SPECTATORS' MISCONDUCTIn connection With a complaint that a roertiber of the Union (Mr. Ha.rkness), had with? held tho name of a spectator alleged, to have used threatening behaviour to-a referee, {Mr. Nut tall) who had reported the wrong man The question was asked whether spectators could be punished for misconduct on a football ground towards players or a referee. Mr. McLeod stated that the union could nominally punish a spectator by ordering him off all football grounds, but as the Taranakl Union did not own any grounds it could not lawfully enforce such a punishment at its matches. It could, however, attach public odium by the sentence. In regard to the case of the Stratford spectator reported by Mr. Nuttall, Mr. McLeod paid the case had not been dealt with because 'Mf Nuttall failed to attend the' meeting. Replying to Mr. Hopkins,, Mr. Masters said the correct name of the spectators wns Wilson 1 Klvell. Mr. Thompson asked what would be the attltudo of the Union towards a misbehaving spectator who happened to be a club player, and the reply was that he Would fie dealt with as a player and disqualified. ALLEGED INCORRECT PROCEDURE. Mr. Thompson, who was assaulted at Eltham on My 31, complained that tho Rugby Union had followed an incorrect procedure by taking the statement of the player before ; his (the referee's) Teport was marie, and also sentencing the player without having received any official report. Mr. McLeod replied, In effect, that tho occasion wns unique In that all the members of the Union executive were present at the match and witnessed the occurrence. They, dealt with ihe case immediately because they considered this would remove any chance of a ■ collusive story being arranged by the player. . Further discussion ensued as to the sentence, which is withheld, as the player may :be charged in the Police Court. A REFEREE'S FITNESS. Later.Messrs. Nuttall and Scoon were present. ' for. Nuttall snid Uwt he took efeeption to Mr, 1 Master's, remarks- as reported In tho EUhnm Argus In tho first place ho had a letter from' the union requesting him to meet them nt 2 o'clock. Ho waited an hour and 20 minutes and had not been called. If they did not want hint they could ha.vo told him, J 9 wjta not satisfied with the way the Klvell case wns dealt with. ■ The said that no discourtesy was intended to Mr, Nuttall. and ho would ask Mr. Nuttall to accept this assurance. Mr. Nuttall aald he was prepared to accept it. Mr. Masters asked If Mr. Nuttall would tepent the language he used at Eltham. Mr. Nuttall: "Yes, I would like 10 minutes with the Tnrannkl Union, and I would put the wind up dome of them " Regarding tin complaint about his competency as a referee, !t ivns difficult for any referee to give satisfaction to all, especially to the losing team. More teams would be In tho field next year, and more referees would be needed, and if this sort of thing was going to go on whera would they get them from. Mr. Hopkins tasked Mr, Nuttall If he was president of the Eltham Football Club. Mr. Nuttall: Yes. Mr v Hopkins: In taking that position you have barred yourself from being a referee. Continuing, Mr. Hopkins asked If Mr. Nuttall betted on f..ntbftll matches.

• Mr. Nuttall: Not till last Thursday. Mr. Hopkins: That is another reason why yoti should not be a member of the Referees' Association.

Mr. McLeod pointed out that the union was not raising theso questions. Mr Hopkins said' it was only fair that Mr. Nuttall should be able to come before the union with his coijjrilalnts, nnd It was equally fair that Mr. Nuttoll's own mistakes should be pointed out. Proceeding, Mr. Hopkins said Mr. Masters had made tho statement thnt Mr. Nuttall was incompetent at the Rugby Union where ho had a perfect Tight to malo it. Mr. Mastors said he still Adhered to hla statement.

Mr. Hopkins said that the Rugby Union should report to the Association If thes' thought a referee incompetent, and the Association would ask the Tofereo to resign, or go on the list.

Mr. N'uttall asked If he rould nflt be heard. Mr. JMcLeod Mid that Mr. Nuttall must jnok to Mr Masters for un explanation cr justification of the charge of Incompetency. Appealed to by Mr. Nuttall for reasons for hla statement Mr. MnsteTß said that. In hls judgment Mr. Nutlall was very much nut In his rulings. Further Mr. Nuttall had bets on a match, and for that reason jie wns pot competent to referee, Thev did not that In Taranakl, at any rale They were trying to put down .betting, and how could they contfpl players v»hen thev had rcf«reea betting Mr. Nuttall said he had been barrncknil Into taking the bet. He did not bet. and when he made the bet he did net know of the rule against il

Mr. Masters contended that as he had mado a bet Mr. Nuttall was not to i-efereo. Asked in what v;ay Mr. Nuttall was incompetent, Mf. Masters said it w nit difficult in give instances but generally there was Incompetency.

Mr. Nuttall paid thnt no objection had been raised at the time of the demonstration,, and neither Mr. Hackliest nor Mr. Mastery attempted to stop it.

Mr. Harknesa said tho crowd yqw not nearly so bad ns. at F.Hhnn). Mr. Masters' asked If there was jinj-' trouble on the skit, of tho line ho had charge of. Mr. Nuttall: ~'.o. He would admit that the crowd on Mr. Masters' qide were quietMr. Masters paid 1* hardly fair to any 1 that-He had not attempted to keep tlio crowd in check. Mr. Nuttall said that at the Stafford match Mr. Haricncss had said: What sort of a I*— referee hare you brought down?" Mr, jHnrkness gavo this an omphatic denial. In reply to the chairman Mr Nuttall aald he took the demonstration to be against him and not against the football teams. Tljey hooted him right up to tho oaf. It was the boya who followed him up b«t H h(l4 Started with the older pooplq. Mr. Masters asked If Mp. .Nuttall flonsUtered the behaviour at. the Ejthfim match ffU that could he desirecj. Mr Nuttall said ho did not, but the policeman did his best ;o keep the crowd in order, >vhtcb was more than oould be said of the Stratford policeman.

The chairman read a clronlnr dated July IS which had been sent to every chit. In which it was Btated lhat betting would be followed by di'riualifiration. Mr. Nuttall said he bad never seep tbe circular.

The chairman said that at the TSltham natch Mr. P'non, who was lineman, had raced up and down the line and yelled: "Put the boot in! And kiok him!" This had been h,eard by every member of the Tlnion and if a man ge'a excited and used expressions like thai lie oould not expect ;is n referee.

Mr. Nuttall explained that he bad been naked to referee at a match at Stratford and had heen Inconvenienced through being dlreotgd to the wrong grounds Mr. Tyrer sai;} Bltham had rung up and as!>p,d that tho ground bo changed. Mr. Uopkins said the ohih* -.vere guided by in the Daily News but apwere made afterwards

no ruling from the Union. The matters were personal. What they Were trying to do this year was to get the game going again in Eltham and they were not loolUnn for protests. The conference then concluded with a vote of thanks- to the chair, NEWS AND NOTES. | There has been a great Improvement.' In football sinte the beginning of the season, which augurs well for the future of the game. In the local competitions, the great majority of the players are all youni:, and show a koeimess for the game; that savors of old times. The public, too, are following the Eiinio closely, and there is every indication that football lias lost none of its popularity. Despite tiie dual half-holiday, the attendances at both tlie Thursday and Saturday matches Is very satisfactory, and once the universal half-holiday comes into vogue, clubs throughout Taranakl should not lack for public support. The game has suffered considerably this year through the curtailment of the train services materially adding to the expense of travelling, by compelling players to travel by motor car. It says much for the enthusiasm d'.iplayed that very few of clubs have forfeited their matches on this account; The standard of play is showing cnoskiertible iniprovement, and In matches recently, notably the Star-Clifton match at WalUira in the Saturday competition, und the Strat-ford-Eltham and Stratford Tukapa matches, !n the Thursday competition, the play, both back and forward, was very good, and at times the concerted movements of the rearguard reached a high order. The position In the three senior competitions this season has been highly Interesting, and hi all three of them the ultimate winner has been kept well concealed In fact, one cannot even now forecast with certainty the Ultimate winner. In the Northern Division, Stratford by defeating Tukapa, i- pride of place in the Thursday competition, and have only to draw with Inglewood to win this competition. In the Saturday competition, Clifton are at present leading from Star, ■ by a point with several matches to play. Next Saturday, Clifton and Star meet in the return match nt New Plymouth, and the result of this should throw light on the ultimate winner. The winners of these two competitions will play off with the premier cf the Southern Division. 1 The outcome of this competition, appears even more difficult to forocast, as Hawera, Okalawa, and Waimate are all in the hunt. Hawera are at present leading by a point from Oknlawa and Waimate Should Hawera beat Okalawa to-day at Hawera, their position will bo unassailable, whereas- a draw will- mean a play-off between Waimate and Hawera, and A loss will put them out of the competition, find mean that Waimate and Okalawa will play off. Needless to . say, the HaWernOkalawa match to-day ,1s evoliing- keen Interest in South Taranakl.

Itahotu put up n great gamp against Clifton, who only managed to score In the last five minutes. The Rahotu team is said lo hare played two or three Opunake men. The match was hnrd fought, hut played In the friendliest possible spirit, and the referee speaks in high terms of the behaviour of the crowd nnd the action of tho Itahotu. officials. This is pleasing, in contradistinction to tho accounts of the behaviour of tho crowds In some of the larger centres. Whilst admitting thnt it is a difficult matter to keep a crowd In check on all grounds, particularly where there 'is no fenced enclosure, It behoves officials of clubs to give referees all tho assistance they possibly can In tho' matter, if they want the public to continue to support the game, which must languish otherwine. The discussions that have taken place lately should have a beneficial effect.

It Is stated that there Is a good deal of betting going on at present In football matches. This tho Union intend to deal Brmly with, and a circular has been forwarded to all clubs stating that "the attention of the Union having been called to the fact thnt betting takes place by players and officials and such action being Illegal, disqualification will follow In any proved case."

The match between Stratford and Tultalia which had to bo replayed owing to Stratford playing the two Carlson Bros. In the match a fortnight previously took place at Stratford on Thursday, nnd resulted in an even more decisive beating of the Tukapa team, Stratford wihnlng by 17 to nil; as against II to 3 on the previous occasion though there wns not the difference between the teams that the scores indicate. The game was keenly contested, nnd was fought out In the friendliest spirit. Tukapa held their own In the first spoil, when they did most of tho attacking, and were unlucky not lo score on more than one occasion, whereas Stratford were more successful, ami afler scoring a penalty goal In tho first minute, Robots also ran in and scored a beautiful try, though it roust he borne In mind that at thd time Tukapa were a hack short, Allen having gone off. In the second spell, Stratford had all the better of the game, and their backs showing great nlpplness and dash, kept tho visitors busy, and having superior condition also this told Its' talc, and toward! tho end they rattled up three tries. Tho game was a very interesting one to watch, there boing some tine bursts of. forward play, and some spectacular bouts of passing, whilst the tackling on both sides, as Indeed has been the case with most of the teams this seoson was vofy deadly. Neither team had Its full strength. Mastors and another being absent from Stratford, whilst Cameron ond Boswtll were absent from the Tukapa bnoks, and the loss of the former nt half was very much felt, as Hart, who oame on In place of Allen, was unable to get his boclis moving. Of the Stratford baoks none nhowod out better than N. Klvell, who handled the ball beautifully and tackled superbly Coutts was also In. good form, but was apt to haftg on too long at times. Bogors, at wing threequarter showed dash and pace, but doen not like solid defence. Berg, as substitute nt half, shaped well. The other baoks all acquitted themselves well Of the forwards the Carlson Bros, McCullnsh, and Hanson shone out. Of the Tukapa team, Prlar who playod at full-baok In the second spell, gate a fine ex. hlbltlon, malting only one mistake H. Oliver also played well, but has shown better form Geo. Lovertdge, who played his first game for months, Irving lust returned from the front, lacked condition. At times ho showed glimpses of his old form, but could not go on with It. Of the forwards, E Ward, Early, and Kirk were tho pick. . Had the first named started playing oarller in the season he would have been hard to keep out of the reps. On the wliole It must be admitted that the selectors, Messrs. .1. S, McKay and D. .1. Malone have done their work well In connection with the selection or the team to play Northern Wairoa ne*t Thursday, at Stratford. Probably, as the result of the North-South match having drawn more attention to football in the Northern Division this end has eight men in the team, as against four in the previous team atialnst Wnngnnul. Molr (Elthaml ropliros jlalono at full-back and tills should be art Improvement, as Molr is playing at the top of his form, taking, kicking, nnd tackling well. Stewnvt (Clifton) replaces Rogers (Stratford), In the three-quarter |lne, and tho Clifton inan has earnt his plaoo Wynyard replaces Cameron nt five-eighths, as the latter will be playing for Wairoa. Tate (Clifton) replaces M. l-ynakcy (Oi;clawa), as rover,'and In his present form, the Clifton player will ho hard to keep out of the North Island tenm. In the forwards, R. Carlson (Stratford), Bluoher (Slav), and Kill? I Hawera), replace Johnstone (Okalawa), Charter# (Kapongd), and Puller (W.iitava),

OonsniUil.tUons to D. J. Malone on having been appointed one of the selectors of the North Island team. With the probability of a New Zealand representative team being required next year, the appointment Is an portant one to Taranakl.

Tukapa seniors will beftln to think that there is a "Jonah" in their team, at any rate us far as tho Stratford journey Is concerned. Last time they set out in a motor wagon, which broke down. They hired motor cats tn : complete the journey, arrived late, and were defeated. On Thursday, they journeyed by motor 'bus, and, after several puncturoa, reached Tarlki, where further punctures noces* altated the hire of motor cars, unless they were to arrive hito again. fbe oars Were requisitioned, nnd the team arrived early, but were again defeated. MM* REMINISCENCES, , (By Hal Berte). Tho eoafltal <>)uh, Opunalce, has, like ITawera find Walmuto, a very fine record. Considering ♦hat players from that district xvore on the edge of t)ie boundary and the tfi'eat amount of travelling necessary to carry on competitions the players showed a genuine love of the sport,. Their enthusiasm at time.i carried them to the top of the tree, and perhaps one of the finest championship finals It has been my (rood inch fcn witness was that determined on .Taumata Park some years back between Tukapa and tho jTrcens. The Now Plymouth team was a fine combination that year, and Included Dr. Fookes in the UiTQO'flttarter line, with Mynott (in tho centre) nnd Rardgreaves. There were other pood backs and possessing a strong vanguard the prospects for Tukapa lookod vory bright. In the Opunake ranks were Coffey and Plhama (two fine native forwards), atewart, Henry and | .Tim Forsyth. Will Lambtc, Arthur Guy and ; Teddy Hnmblyn From memory Taranaki that 1 year had Lamblo, Hamblyn, Guy and Pihanm , from Opunako, and Fookes, Mynott and Hardgrooves in the representative Tanks. One t»f the incidents of tho match was a strong defensive run by Fookes that carried him down to young Forsyth (full back). A score'hero would havp won the jrnmo for Tukapa, but the cmen full-hack put his shoulder dftwn awl. ( catch ; ug the galloping doctor, hurled tho latter i qu'to fno yards out of play. As he lay *l* &■****&s «« bte fisti

had his brother (also flaying) to search i*t itotunges. Afier n spell the doctor fesumcd playing but the dash had gone out of his running a,nd Qpunake, which had previously •scored, landed the honors. Plhama, mentioned above, was a fine athlete, ni>d after leaving Opunake went to the Auckland district and played for Auckland in a few games. Guy and Haroblyn were an Ideal pair of wing forwards, and hy many it Was thought that Guy would find a place in the All-Black team that a few years later loft for Britain. Of late years the club has not met with the samo measure of success, hut jiow that players are sett ling down to It once again there is no reason why the previous high standard should not be attained.

Okalawa, in the- matter of years, is com--1 pAratively a young club, but considering the narrow district and scant population the results achieved by the club are remarkable. Thoy have always proved a hard club to beat. What better fftnVarda than Jimmy o'Bullivan has Taranaki had? During the years he played ho was always in the Tarahaki team and he played in all the big matches at Home in tho original All-Black team. Again "Dick" Roberts, another All-Black and one who has established a reputation in California and AUJtralln, Is a product of Okalawa. Jack .MrLeod (an Influenza victim) al9o assisted the red anil blacku. Cape), one of (he best mile and half-mile athletes in the Dominion, also played, for the club. Toro, a native, ( was another fine athlete, a jumper who was proficient to an ttnudual degree orer the horizontal bar, and a fine footballer, who jUst fell short of representative honors. ".Terry" Crowley, a rop. for many years, was also a member; bis brother, too, was a useful player. There were others who helped the club to many victories and occasionally managed to get the club returned as Southern division champions. This season the team has not had much luck Id games/but the material is there. Poor old "Bob" Johnstone, a "flu." victim, was a shining light in the Okalawa team, whilst the Cleever Bros., and also Lutfon Bros, ate names that occur .who were associated with the club's most successful years.