FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE TUKAPA CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Tukapa Club was held last night. Mr. Jas. McLeod presided over an attendance of about forty. Seven new members were elected. THE ANNUAL REPORT. The report congratulated the club on the very successful results attained on the playing field. For the first time in the history of the club two senior teams were entered in the competitions. Tie Thursday senior team had the honor of- winning their championship with an unbeaten record, whilst the Saturday senior team were runners-up in their competition. The final of the northern division between Clifton and Tukapa was a very hard contest, and although beaten by six points (two penalty goals) by a much heavier teaun, Tukapa’s reputation of always giving their opponents a good, hard, yet clean game was well maintained. In addition io the teams mentioned a third-grade team was entered in the Thursday and Saturday competitions, and although unsuccessful, these teams are to be congratulated in keeping so together In the face of very adverse circumstances. Thanks were- expressed to Lieutenant L. W. Andrew, V.C., for his services in physically training the members for several weeks during tire season. The annual matches for the Dan O’Brien and Carbine Shields resulted in the senior team retaining the Dan O’Brien Shield by 29 points to nil, whilst the Star Club withstood the challenge for the Carbine Shield by 11 points to 3. The committee reported that the club is now in a very satisfactory postion as regards finance. After .meeting all liabilities the season's operations resulted in a credit of £l9 14s 2d, and this amount, together with’ the balance of £5 9s 4d brought forward from the 1919 season, leaves a cash balance of £25 3s 6d Various other matters concerning the club, which have already been reported, were referred to. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman congratulated the club on its splendid financial position, and the players on the results achieved on the field. ■The season, he said, had been a very clean one, there having, been no trouble with the players of the club and no case of bad language. This stood to the credit of the club. He considered that there would be considerable changes in football in Taranaki this year, and the team that got to business early would be the one that would come out on top. In this connection he hoped the club would, as was the case last year, get Into systematic training. If they wished Taranaki to get back to that high plane on which it once stood In the football world they must do so. The motion was seconded by Mr. G. Loveridge and carried without discussion. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were elected as. follows: —Patron. Dr. E. A. Walker (re-elected) ;. president, Dr. E. F. Fookes (re-elected) ; vice-presidents, Messrs. R. Barlow, H. Casey, E. Jackson, A. R. Standish, J. Abbott, W. Graham, J. Avery, J. D. Sole, C. R. Fairbrotl’er. Jas, Scanlon, E. Douch, Faber, Newton King, D. Cameron, W. L. Hookham, C. McCallum; secretary, Bedford; assistant secretary, C. 0. Berg; club captain, C. Brown; hon. auditor, K. Kirk; management committee, Messrs. G. Loveridge, E. Ward, E. Hooker, K. Kirk, L. Whitaker. H. Oliver, J. O'Grady, R. Cocker, R. Morrison, with the captain of the team ex officio. The election of selection committees was left to the management committee. Delegates to the Taranaki Rugby Union, Messrs J. McLeod and C. Brown. IMPROVING THE GAME. Mr. Jas. McLeod briefly explained his scheme for the re-organisation of senior football as outlined in the circular issued to clubs. He stated that there was no possibility of Tukapa being graded B. The union would have to decide which of the other teams would have to be graded B. He understood that there was every prospect of the scheme going through. He said that It was essential that the union should take all gates. Taranaki was the only place in which the clubs took their own gates. The union would contract with motor 'bus proprietors for the fares of the players to matches at a distance. In this way travelling could be done more economically. Players would have to pay their own expenses, and a certain proportion could be -refunded to the clubs. The main object of the scheme was to get the public more interested in football, and this would tend to improve football. Moreover, the scheme would re-awaken club rivalry. He considered it would be possible to adopt a suggestion that had been made to the effect that the lowest team in tire A grade and the winning team in the B grade should change places each succeeding year. Regarding junior play, Mr. McLeod said that juniors would play as in the past, with the possible exception that there might be three divisions instead of two. Mr. E. Jackson suggested that in order to raise funds the Taranaki Rugby Union should open an honorary (members’ list for old players, many of whom were willing to assist the union. Mr. C. Brown considered that the scheme as outlined by the chairman, though at first it might be expensive to players, had much to commend it, as it would tend to improve the standard of play. He moved that the club support the scheme. This was seconded by Mr. G. Hooker and carried. GENERAL. The chairman intimated that’ there was a probability that the season would open a month earlier than usual, in view of the approaching tour of the South African team, so that Taranaki players would be in K>rm when the New Zealand team was picked. It was probable that the season would open on the third Saturday in April. The club fixed its opening day for Easter Saturday, March 26. The number of teams to be entered was referred to the management committee. It was decided that Western Park should be the club’s playing ground. The subscription was fixed at the same as last year, viz., juniors 2s Gd, seniors ss, hon. members’ sub. to be left to the management committee. Mr. McLeod pointed out that it was just possible ti e union might play some of the Tukapa matches on the Recreation Ground, in order to obtain the necessary funds to refund the £2OO to the New Zealand Rugby Union on the money borrowed for the improvement of tlie ground. Mr. E. Jackson was appointed delegate on the Sports Ground Committee. The" outgoing secretary was voted a bonus of £5 ss, members' making appreciative reference to his services. It was also decided to vote £1 Is to the funds of the northern committee of the Taranaki Referees’ Association. Messrs. Jackson and Fairbrother intimated that they would donate medals fo the best senior back and forward respectively. Mr. Jas. McLeod said Le would do likewise for the juniors. An endeavour is to be made to enter a fourth-grade team. It was resolved to ask the Referees’ Association to enforce the rule regarding players coming on the field in their proper colors. Votes of thanks to the Press and the chairman concluded the meeting. MiDHIRST CLUB. THE ANNUAL MEETING. Tie annual meeting of the Midhirst Football Club was held on Tuesday night, when Mr. P. G. Harkness presided over an attendance of about thirty. The report congratulated the club on their splendid performance in winning the Taranaki junior championship last year, and also the players on their good conduct on and off the field. The balance-sheet showed a i credit of £l5 17s 6d. Some discUßßinn took dace regarding the

teaims to be entered during the coming seaing season, final decision being deferred until after tte union meeting on Monday. Officers were elected as follows :—President, Mr. P. G. Harkness (re-elected); secretary, Mr. Geo. Anderson (re-elected) ; treasurer, Mr. C. E. Fowler (re-elected) ; club captain, Mr. J. Carter. The subscription was fixed at 2s. A further meeting will be held week, and meanwhile the officials will corffer with the Stratford Club, under whose jurisdiction tlie Midhirst Club is playing.