FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1919, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

PINAL OF SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIP The final of the schools championship for the Taranaki province will be played at Inglewood this morning, when Central, winners of the Northern Division, will meet the Stratford School, the present holders of the Shield. .Mr. F. Julian has been appointed by the Referees' Association to control the match, which will commence at 10.30 a.m. The representative match last Saturday, in which Wellington easily' withstood Wanganul's challenge for the Ranfurly Shield, saw the curtain run down on the 1919 season. Though Taranaki representatives failed miserably, it must be admitted that throughout New Zealand generally the standard of football was good, whilst the' Interest taken by the pubi lie tn the revival of the game after the break due to the war was decidedly encouraging to those who have been for years fostering the game. The policy adopted by some teams of opening up tho game has done much to increase, its popularity with the public, and when this policy becomes general, as no doubt it will after the conference has -been held In Australia this month between. representatives of the New Zealand, Australian, apd South African Unions, the grand old gam? , willhave nothing, to fear from tho competition pf any rival.

It was a distinct and well deserved compliment to Taranaki that its chairman, Mr. Jas. McLeod, should have been selected as one of the New Zealand delegates to tho conference which will probably prove an epoch making event in the history of Rugby, anS all football enthusiasts will regret that pressure of business precluded his acceptance. The New Zealand soldier football team is due In- Sydney on Monday, and should therefore reach home in a week or so. Taranaki Is very, strongly represented in the team, and no doubt Its members will get a waim welcome In their return, and a still warmer Welcome on their appearing on the football fields next year. It is fluite certain that none of this year's wearers of the amber and black Jersey will be able to boast to Brown, Roberts, Stohr, Cain, Klssick, Whlttington. West and Co. of their doings on the arena, or of the way 'in which they upheld the traditions of Taranaki football during their absence.

Auckland defeated Tara'nakl twice, tut was beaten by Wellington, and Bay of Plenty. Taranakt's record h Indeed a black one: Lost to Wellington twice by 8 to 5 and 18 to 10, respectively; to Auckland twice by 42 to 9 and 23 to 16, and to Wnnganui by 56 to 3. Its only win was against Wangmui by II to 3.

Some members of the Patea Footbnll Club have, during the past, season, been considering the question of seceding. from the Wairoa Sub-Union and again Joining the Taranakl Rugby Union, and, of course, taking part in the Southern division competitions. It was also thought that Alton would probibly do likewise. This would have meant the breaking up of the Wairoa Sub-Union, which is composed of clubs •In the outer districts of both Taranakl and YVanennui Unions. Four clubs have generally taken part in the craopetitlon. viz., Alton and Patea in the Ta"rnnakl district, ana Waverlcy and Waitotant in the Wanganui district. This year a ilfth team, comprised of natives, entered. Wanganui and Taranakl could draw from their respective territory if any playcrß were deemed worthy of representative honors. The affairs of the Wairoa Sub-Unln appeared to be well managed, and 'were controlled by a local Management Committee, who were not interfered with in any way by the parent unions, certainly not by Taranakl. „ The proposal to secede was put btfore a special meeting of the Patea club, and after full discussion, was lost.