FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1920, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

I taranaki rugby union. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of tho Taranaki Rugby Onion was held at StratfOTd last night, when Mr. ,Ins. McLeoit (vice-president) presided, riie following delegates were present: Messrs. I. S. McKay and A. H. Christie (Walmate), R. H. Harkness (Stratford), P. A. Vlckers (Mldhlrst), D. George and C. H. Tate (Clif- Wl ton), J. Held and A. .1, Harvey (United, New jj Plymouth), D. Malone and (J. A, Lyall (Ka!)onga), A. P. Nollson (Opunake), J. Scoon and H. P. Grant (Elthnm), .T. Clarke and E. .T. Guthrie (Star), 0. M. Boidt (Inglewood) , J, Garcia (Okato), L. Beamish and .1. Goodwin (Hawern), A. I<ees (Okaiawaf, .las. McLeod and W. D. Webster (Tukapa), C. H. »- VVynyard (Old Boys), A. R. Ryder (Secondary Schools), and 0. Hopkins and W. Roch (Referees' Association), The United (New Plymouth) Club was admitted to the Union. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman stated that the Union had had to do its beat under difficult circumstances, but football had shown Improvement towards the end of the year. There had been some trouble owing to the Union having to relax hard and fast -rules; thus causing some dissensions. He referred to the breach that had occurred with the Referees' Association, which, however, had been ■ satisfactorily settled. ~ Referees, and < more referees, were required, as there would be more teams playing this year than ever. He considered the financial position at the end of tho season was very satisfactory considering the late start, and the . fact that the railway "cut" had affected their finances. It was hoped this year to show a large credit balance, which would be necessary, as tho following year Taranaki would have to tour New Zealand. He paid a tribute to the < services rendered to TaranuJil football by k the retiring president, Mr, T, Buchanan, during rtearly 21 yaars. He referred to the fact that, school football had been placed on a more satisfactory basis, and ho hoped that the grading system adopted in the south last year would be taken up In the north i this year. He also touched on the necessity of forming a fourth gr&dq for boys whd have just left school to fill the gap between School football and the second grade. The appointment of representatives of primary schools and secondary sohools had proved successful, and with the appointment of a, < representative ■ for tho Referees' Association, the Union would be In a better position to control football than ever. Mr. Beamish seconded the adoption of the

report. Mr. A. Lees referred to the need for starting tha matches earlier this season than was the case last year. He urged old players to assist the referees, and touched oil the prevalence of betting In matches, which if allowed to continue would ruin football. The chairman stated that the meeting had been called very early this year -with 'lie Idea of starting the competition matches early In April, and thus being able to select a representative team fit to contest the Ranfurly Shield early In July against Wellington. The report was adopted. REPRESENTATION OP REFEREES. The chairman moved, and Mr. Garcia seconded, that the Taranakl Referees' Association be granted direct representation on the executive. An amendment by Messrs. Beamish and Goodwin (Hawera), that one representative from each end be appointed was lost, and the resolution was carried with the proviso that the referees' representative was to have full executive powers, excepting in that of voting in the case of reported players brought before the Union, and also that the representative be appointed alternately from roTth and south; this year's representative to be from the north. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers weTe elected as follows t President, Mr. A, Lees; vice-presidents, Messrs. D. .T. Malone (North) and J. S; McKay (South); treasurer, R, Masters; auditor, J. H. Thompson; management committee, Messrs. .las. McLeod, J. Garcia, and E. .T. Guthrie (North), L Beamish, A. P. Nellson and W. B. Fearon (South), appolnment of primary schools' representative was left to the Taranakl Teachers' Institute and the secondary schools representative was left to the Management Committee; delegate to New Zealand Rugby Union, left to the Manageinont Committee; vice-president to New Zealand Union, Mr. A. Lees. Mr. R. R. Tyrer was re-appointed secretary and voted a bonus of 25 guineas. Speakers made reference to the excellent way In which Mr. Tyrer had conducted the affairs of the Union. GENERAL. On the motion of Messrs, D. J. Malone anfl Lyall, it was resolved that the Management Committee consider the advisability of altering the conditions of the Bayly Scholarship on the lines of making the proficiency examination the education test. Mr. Tickers, representing the Mldhlrst Club, asked permission to enter a junior and second junior team in the competition. It was pointed out that the club was within the territory of the Stratford club and that the question would havei to be subject to the approval of that club. Mr. Harkness stated that there would bo no difficulty provided the dub had the call on any Mldhlrst players fit for the seniors. On the motion of Mr. Hopkins, it was resolved to have hand books of the rtites • printed. The Stratford Club submitted a resolution asking that. for local matches outside referees ! should be appointed. Mr. Hopkins said that the Association en- , deavoured to do so, but the difficulty was to , get men to travel. He also pointed out that some of the clubs were not prompt In paying referees' expenses. Mr A. Lees also urged clubs to nominate competitive teams as early as possible. Totes of thnnta were accorded the Press, and the Stratford Fire Brigade for the use of the hall. At a subsequent meetlnß of the Management Committee, Mr. J. McLeod was re-elected chairman, and Mr. A. R. Ryder was elected secondary schools' representative. It was also decided that the entries close on Thursday, April 15tli, when the Committee will meet to draw up the fixtures. THE LEAGUE GAME. ' ENGLISH TEAM'S TOUR. ) E Cable advice concerning the date fixed for " the departure of the Engliflh Northern Union r . team, to tour Australia and New Zealand, from 5 Australia to New Zealand, has been received \ by Mr. H. Oakley, secretary of the New Zea- ' land Rufrby League. The date 19 July 3rd. At the last meeting of the Council of the * New Zealand Rugby league, it was decided to cable Australia, for tafcfrmatkto which f has come to hand. It will now be possible 1 to fix the dates for the Dominion itinerary.