FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

BLD BOVS' CLUB. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Old Boys’ Club was held in the Soldiers’ Club last night, when Mr. C. H. Wynyard presided oyer an attendance of about 40 members. The annual report stated: M With the general post-war revival of interest in all sports the club has greatly increased in strength, and the members of the club now number in the vicinity of seventy-five players. During the past season the club entered three teams tn the local competitions, and at no stage was difficulty experienced In maintaining all teams at full strength.’’ The report then went on to detail the work of the teams during la& season.” The report proceeded: "The season hM unfortunately not been a prosperous one from a financial aspect. This is due largely to the fact that clubs, playing under the new scheme introduced last season, now receive but * small percentage of gate moneys, and have to rely for their finance on members’ subscriptions and donations. I would like to appeal to all members, and especially the honorary members of the Old Boys’ Association, to assist the club to the best of their ability with regard to subscriptions. The club Is indeed fortunate under the circumstances, in being able to show a small credit balance. During the season Messrs. A. Boon and E. Whittle donated two gold medals for presentation to the best senior forward and senior back respectively. These medals have besi allocated on the voting of members of the senior team, as follows: Best senior back, H. Valentine; best senior forward, D. Doile. To these two players I offer my heartiest congratulations, and hope that they will again prove their prowess in the coming season. The thanks of the club are due to Messrs. Boon and Whittle for their donations, to the members of the Referees’ Association for the assistance which they have rendered to the club since its formation, and to all members of the Taranaki Rugby Union for the whole and individual interest they have taken in the club's existence.”

The balance sheet showed that receipts had amounted to £35 5s Bd, and the expenditure to £34 5s 2d, leaving a cash balance of £1 0s 6d.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said that the enthusiasm shown by the attendance that evening augured well for the success of the club, especially as there were so many who had ■ just left school. The forwards last year were ; said to be weak, but they worked hard, and i it was only through lacking weight that they j fell short of their heavier opponents. However, with their extra year’s experience and weight they should be a power to be reckoned with. The back play, while of an open character and appealing to the public, was, he thought, lacking when It came to solid defence. The question of running three senior teams in town had been mentioned to him by men who had the interests of football at } heart, and they had suggested that it would be better to have two strong teams. However, they would take no steps in the matter until j approached, as he was of the strong opinion ; that the Old Boys’ Club should always retain [ Its identity. It was a young club, and must expect to have a hard struggle for some years, : but should ultimately become a power In Taranaki football. He congratulated the winners | of the medals, prophesying great futures for i both. He congratulated the fourth grade team on the success of their initial year, which augured well for the club’s future. He con- ' sidered that the senior team could be the same as last year’s, with a year's added experience and growth. If they were to face I a heavy pack with a light pack of forwards ! they must train, and he urged all players to make a great point of training, so as to be able to play right up to the final whistle. He paid a tribute to the enthusiasm of players, who played the game whether defeated or not.

Mr. R. Blundell seconded the motion, which was carried without discussion.

Officers were elected as follows: Patron, Dr. E. F. Fookes: president, Mr. R. H. George; vice-presidents, Drs. Wade, Home and Brewster, Messrs. E. P. Webster, W. H. Moyes, P. J. H. White, F. N. Whitcombe, A. Bewley, A. N. Mac Diarmid, A. R. Standish, R. H. Quilliam, T. P. Anderson, G. Grey, D. Hutchen, F. Willis. J. B. Cresswell, A. J. Papps, A. M. Bradbury; hon. auditor, J. B. Wilson (re-elected) ; hon. secretary, R. G. Howell (re-elected) ; assistant secretary, C. Fookes: ; delegates to Taranaki Rugby, Union, C. H. ' Wynyard and R. J. Brokenshire; club captain, left to the committee; executive, D. D.oiie, R. Blundell, D. Sykes, C. H. Wynyard and I. McHardy. It was resolved to recommend the executive to nominate four teams in the competition—senior B, second, third and fourth grade teams. A committed consisting of Messrs. McHardie, Fookes and Drader, was appointed to organ - The opening date was fixed for March 18. Several new members were elected. A resolution was passed deploring the lack of conveniences for dressing, etc., on the various grounds in New Plymouth, and re-. questing the committees to take steps to remedy the matter. It. was also resolved to approach the Rugby Union with a view to providing accommodation fur players on the recreation grounds of a temporary nature until something permanent could be provided. REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION. THE NORTHERN DIVISION. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Northern Division of the Taranaki Referees’ Association was held in the Soldiers’ Club, New Plymouth, last night, when there was an attendance of about twenty-two. In the unavoidable absence of the president, Mr. W. Eagar (Inglewood), Mr. G. Hopkins presided. In presenting a report on the season 1921 the committee congratulated the Northern Division on a successful year's working. Twenty-one 'meetings were held, the average attendance being eleven, indicating a keen interest in the business and that members were eager to do whatever possible in the interest of football. The committee was pleased to note the progress the division had made, for after being practically at a standstill for a number of years it increased its membership by nearly double, a gratifying feature being that many of the new members were young men. Their eagerness to learn guve confidence that at least this division would be able to keep pace with the new interest in the game. Another feature was that with two exceptions all appointments were filled. A loss had been sustained in the removal to Auckland of Mr. A. R. Ryder, an ardent enthusiast and a true friend of every footballer. The northern province was congratulated on its gain. '•We were disappointed,” the report continued, "in the manner in which the Taranaki Rugby Union dealt with the several complaints lodged against players and officials by the members of the division, and we trust by having an energetic representative on the management committee of that body that this trouble will be remedied.” The report recorded that finances were satisfactory, there being a credit balance of £3 18s Id, and hopes were expressed for a very successful In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said that members were aware that Mr. McLeod (chairman of the Rugby Union) tried to justify the leniency that was accorded to delinquents on the grounds that the union was trying to bring i hack the game, and that they were endeavorI ing to attain this end even by what, in the speaker’s opinion, was a sacrifice of discipline. However, Mr. McLeod had promised that in future offenders were to be dealt with severely, and he hoped this promise would be fulfilled. The motion for the adoption of the report was seconded by Mr. W. Roch. In speaking on the report, Mr. J. O’Shea congratulated the division on the satisfactory state of the finances, and also on the successful year generally, the enthusiasm of members having been a feature. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Mr. E. Jackson; vicepresidents, Messrs. S. G. Smith. M.P., W. G.

Enieny, J. O’Shea, E. Whittle, J. Garcia, R. i Barlow, Dr. E. F. Fookes, A. L. Humphries, I F. C. Ferry, F. Faber, C. Casey (New Ply- > mouth), F. Whittle (Stratford), W. Eagar, ’ C. Fairweather, E. Sanders (Inglewood), • Lock. D. McPherson (Waitara) ; chairman of ; committee, Mr. G. Hopkins; secretary, Mr. L. > Goodacre; executive, chairman, secretary and Mr. F. Hooker; representatives on central . executive, Messrs. W. Roch and C. Andrews: ' delegate to Taranaki Rugby Union and repre- ( sent&tive on the management committee, Mr. A, J. Papps. GENERAL. The date for the weekly meetings was fixed as every Monday night. A committee of thr.ee was appointed to act as an examination and classification board, the stipulation being that the members should oe non-active referees. The following were elected: Messrs. J. O'Shea, G. Hopkins, and A. R. Davies. A proposal was received from the Nelson Referees’ Association that the headquarters of the New Zealand Rugoy Union should bo located In rotation at Christchurch, Auckland, Dunedin and Wellington for a term of three consecutive years at each place.—The meeting did not receive the suggestion favorably, and on the motion of Mr. A. ,1. Papps , it was decided tkat no action be taken. The following new members were elected subject to the usual examination: Messrs. C. Fairbrother, J. Scrimgeour, L. Humphries, G. Bertrand, C. E. Andrews, T. Hurley, J. Coleman, W. Crockett, W. Reid. The following were thanked for assistance during the year: Messrs. J. Eberlet, fteberts and Bullot, E. Gilmour, and Wright, and the Press. A vote of thanks was also accorded to the outgoing secretary (Mr. Roberts), who was granted a bonus of £2 2s in recognition of his services.

RAHOTU CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING ‘ (From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual general meeting of the Rahotu Rugby Football Club was held on Tuesday evening, when there were about 25 members present. Mr. M. F. Voullaire (president) was in the chair. The report and balance-sheet, showing a credit balance of £5 19s 3d on the year’s working, were read, and, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. A. Gilhooly, were adopted Without discussion.

The president appealed to the members to assist the committee by prompt payment of subscriptions and by attending regularly at practices. He referred to the lack of support given the club last year by the general public, and trusted that this year more assistance would be forthcoming. Thankswere due to the club’s secretary and to the committee, all of whom had been most assiduous in attending to their duties. It was necessary, for the good of the young players who were coming on, to keep things going with a will, and he had no fears as to the prospects of the club in a short while to come. The election of officers resulted as follows: Patron, Mr. G. Gibson (re-elected) ; president, Mr. M. F. Voullaire - (re-elected) ; vice-presidents, Messrs. L. Billing, N. C. Morgan, C. W. Field, A. F. Chapman, R. Jury, W. B. Dawson, D. Quickenden, J. Williamson, A. Gray, G. Bell, H. G. Clarke, J. Yep (all re-elected), and Messrs. H. R. Neilson and W. Butler; secretarj' and treasurer, Mr. Alec. Gibson (re-elected) ; auditor, Mr. K. Andrews (re-elected) ; onanagement committee, president, secretary, and Messrs. N. C. Morgan, Hugh Gilhooly, A. Gilhooly, F. Chapman, P. Chapman, D. Paton, and J. Williamson; club captain, Mr. N. C. Morgan; selectors, Messrs. N. C. Morgan, A. Gilhooly, and team captains ; delegates to Rugby Union, Messrs. Voullaire and Morgan. New members elected were: Messrs. B. Hickey, E. and A. Looney, R. F. Fleming, P. Norris, D. Grimwood, W. Bloomfield, J. Orbell, A. Lowry, and Wilcox. On the motion of Messrs. Gilhooly brothers the subscription was fixed at ss. It was decided to hold the first practice on Saturday and to arrange matches with Pungarehu and Opunake for the 15th and 22nd respectively. It was decided to hold a social at a future date, and Messrs. J. Hunter, Gilhooly brothers, Lowry, Paton, Chapman brothers, Lusk, P. Norris, R. Fleming, Orbell, and E. Looney were elected a committee to attend to the business.