KAPONGA.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1922, Page 5

KAPONGA.

SCHOOL PICNIC. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual picnic of the Kaponga Public School was held at the Opunake beach on Thursday, the 2nd instant. The lorries left the Post Office shortly after nine with a merry crowd of optimists on board, all deciding that in spite of the threatening sky “it was going to be fine.” Before the beach was reached, however, a drizzling rain damped everything but the spirits of the party. The new pavilion at the beach proved to be a veritable haven of refuge for those who were not attracted by the surf. The great majority, however, defied the elements and spent an enjoyable day surfing. Fortunately, though wet, the day was warm, so that ‘ the main attraction of the beach, bathing, lost none of its charm. Taking advantage of a lull in the drizzle, the committee and teachers arranged a short programme of races for the children. A cricket match, which looked like a page from Comic Cuts, was played in the rain, all players being attired in bathing costumes. At four-thirty a start was made for home, the children voting this year’s picnic one of the best they have had; in fact, it was a “stunner.” The remainder of the sports programme, including the three championship events run every year, will be completed at some future date on the park. In this connection the School Committee wishes to thank those “sports” who gave donations to the prize fund. KAPONGA FOOTBALL CLUB. The annual meeting of the Kaponga Football Club was held in the Town Hall on Thursday, March 2. There was an attendance of some forty members, Mr. A. O. Casey, vice-president, presiding. Mr. Dan Fitzgerald, secretary, read the annual report, which was adopted. The balance-sheet showed a satisfactory position. The total receipts for the year were £l4’6 10s lOd, and the expenditure £l3l 2s 9d, thus leaving a credit balance of £l5 8s Id. The annual report congratulated the club upon the successful financial season. There had been increased enthusiasm shown, due very largely to Mr. J McLeod’s “all in one” scheme. Perhaps the most x important step had been the formation of a fourth grade competition. The young players were to be looked to to raise the standard of football to the standard of better days. The senior team had been again succesful in the seven-a-side tournament at the local sports and hold the handsome Casey Shield. Though the team commenced well in the competitions it failed to maintain its early promise. Messrs. Kassick, Dimock. Thoumine, Lynsky and Malone, from the local club, had the honor of representing their province.

The record o-f the juniors and third grade, while quite a good one, was not up to the standard of previous years. The fourth grade team, under the able tuition of Mr. C. Patterson, were a really good, scientific combination.

Medals were won by, and presented to, Messrs. Dimock (seniors), Briggs (juniors), and Stringer (third grade). Towards the end of the season the Ohura reps, visited Kaponga, and after a most enjoyable game were entertained at a smoke concert by the local club. The success of this function was largely due to the excellent organisation of Mr. Morgan Priest. During the winter the annual ball was held and proved highly successful. The executive thanked Mrs. Fearon and her ladies’ committee for the splendid manner in which every detail of the bal) was attended to. The executive urged upon all supporters the necessity of becoming honorary members, as by so doing the finances of the club would enable more assistance to be given to the young players. The report expressed the sincere sympathy of the club at the bereavements in the families of Scott Bros., O’Neill, Arthur Guy, and Mrs. A. T. Bertie.

The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron, Dr. J. R. Boyd; president, Mr. A. O. Casey; vice-president, Mr. H. B. Fearon; delegates to union, Messrs. Fearon and Lynsky; secretary, Mr. Alec. Melville; auditor, Mr. Lloyd; selector and coach, Mr. J. Kissick; manager (senior team), Mr. J. Malone; club captain, Mr. H. Malone; manager (juniors), Mr. J. Kehely; management committee, Messrs. z V. Dimock, Ern. Scott, J. Kissick; Joe Hammersley, Maurice Lynsky. Subscriptions. —Active members, seniors, juniors, and third gra<ie, ss, fourth grade 2s 6d; honorary members, His 6d.

A social committee, with Mr. Priest (hockey) and Mr. A. Elgar (football) as joint secretaries, was set up to organise socials, etc., for the benefit of the two clubs. The matter of arranging for night practices was left with the management committee.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Dan Fitzgerald for the able manner in which he had carried out the secretarial duties.