FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 31 March 1926, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

NOT FOR LEAGUE. COOKE WILL PLAY RUGBY. By Telegraph-—Press Association. NAPIER, March 30. Approached to-night, A. E. Cooke, the All Black centre three-quarter, emphatically denied a statement, rocontly published in England, to the effect that he had been offered and accepted an invitation to join the New Zealand Longue team to tour England in the coming season. Cooke made it perfectly clear that, lie had not the slightest intention of playing the League code. Ho will continue to play Rugby, and for the ensuing season will play in Hawke’s Bay. RUGBY LEAGUE. At a meeting of the South Canterbury Rugby Luagnu, there were present. —Mr Luuiborn (chairman), .Messrs Carter, Smyth, Devine, McAtoor, Shaw, Leonov, Washington, McGuiniicss, and J. Christmas (secretary). Correspondence was received from the Christchurch Centre re the visit of the Sydenham team on Easter SaturI (lay. \ Messrs Devine, Carter and Smyth were appointed as a provisional seiceU(.n committee. Mr Smyth was appointed manager of the Tinumi team. Ijt was agreed to write to the Timaru Borough Council, making application lor the use of some of the public playing areas. Reports were received from members indicating that the code is receiving substantial support from players. A large number ot new members wore elected. Final atrangcmeiits were made for the match, Sydenham v. Timaru, on Mr McDonald’s grounds, at Saltwater Creek. SOUTH CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION. The following is the report to be presented to the annual of delegates to the Rugby Union to-night:— ‘•l'uiaiu-ial.—The profit and loss account shows a loss on the year's work-ng of £lO2 17s 8(i. Although this loss is to be regretted it must not be taken as a cause for alarm, as the loss is mainly caused bv a drop in the gate takings, the destruction by fire, o.‘ ail-our football gc-ar. and a heavy call on the players’ insurance fund, and, of course,, the cost of sending a representative team to the West Coast. These items alone cost the Union, approximately £294 7s 8d extra to last year’s expenditure, but by curtailing other expenditure your committee hart managed to come out with only the loss as stated above. The players’ insurance scheme is one which constitutes ail ever pic'.cnt menace to tile Union’s funds, and will requ.rc careful consideration and watching by the incoming executive. “Competitions—Five grades wore fun and good entries were received. On the whole the. displays were good, particularly in the lower grades, and with proper attention to training the future, of the game was never brighter. The results in the different grades were, as follows: —Senior. Old Boys; Junior, High School; Third Grade. OUI Boys; Fourth Grade. Star B.; Fifth Grade, Celtic.

"Ben Cup.—The game for this Hip was p'aved bv the tennis representing the Old'Boys and Celtic Cubs, and was combined with the Anal of the Skinner Cup. Old Bovs were successful after an excellent game. The C-up. was handed to the captain o'J the winning team by Mrs Beri at the conclusion of the match. “Charity Day—The whole of the proceeds from matches a'a-to e.-, the VI, July were devoted to charities. The sum of £55 15s (id was taken and to this was added £8 carried forward from last year. This made £63 15 ( 6d. which was distributed as under :— Mayor s Coal and Blanket. Fund. £3O; Distinct Nurse Fund, £5; Presbyterian Orphanage. £5; St. Saviour’s Orphanage. £10; St Anne’ Guild, £5; Mrs Smith; £5 15s 6(1; Sailors’ Best, £3. “Fifth Grade.-This grade presented some difficulty as the season progressed owing to overweight players being, included in some of the teams, and it is the intention to introduce a card system for the incoming year. Each club will he issued cards on which to give the name of the player, date of birth, weight. and any further information deemed necessary, the cards to be signed and returned to the "Union to he filed. •‘Representatives. —Mr R. T. Stewart was selected to represent New Zealand in the match against New South Wn'es in Auckland and was one of the outstanding players. Mr G. P. Lawson was cliosen to represent New Zealand in the team which toured New South Wales and acquitted himself creditably. To both players the Union tenders its congratulations. Messrs R. T. Stewart and G. V. Gerard were selected to represent the South Island in the annual match against.the North Island. “Sub-Unions;— During. tile season .the Waimnte and Mackenz'e Sub-Unions were, visited by onr representatives, when good games wore phived against the Sub-Union representatives, and resulted as under: —Versus Waimate at Waimnte, won. 29-6: versus Mackenzie nt Fair lie won 28-9. The effect of these visits has been productive of great good to the country players, and already a number of Sub-Union players have "gained their representative caps. For the good of the game and (he encouragement ol the country player, it is hoped those games will ho long maintained, and that only the best teams be sent. This Union has also to record its appreciation of the splendid services rendered to the game by the offie.nls of both Sub-Unions and hopes for a continuance during the coming season. “Schools.—The South Island Tnterprovinrial Tournament was held in Timarn in August, teams representing Otago, Canterbury, Southland aiul South Canterbury. The games were of a high standard and the filial game went to Canterbury, who defeated the Soul 1 ’ raHm-i'iivy team bv H points to 3 Your Union congratulates the masters on Die sn'enciid success of their coaching, and tile hoys of the losing ns well as the winning tennis, oil the splendid exhibit oils given.

‘‘‘The Timaru Boys’ High School again acqn tted itself with .credit. The animal matches versus \A' aituki were played at Vuitaki and resulted in a win for the senior team by 25 points to 11, and the junior match in a draw, w’tli the -‘core 3—3. The Secondary Schools’ Tournament was held in Christchurch and was to some extent, spoiled by the bail weather. The final resulted in a win for the Timaru High School. The thanks of the committee are tendered to those masters of both primary and secondary schools who have so ably assisted in coach, tig and maintaining an interest in the hoys’ football. “ AUiletie Grounds.—Great attention has been given to the playing area, particularly the No. 2 Ground, wh'eh will he in playing order for the coming reason. Tlie No. 1 Ground, under the supervision of Mr AAL Cunningham, has been top-dressed and given a spe 1 during .the summer, so there is every reason to expect it to he :n better playing order than before. “Grandstand; Tenders wore called for the erection of a grandtand, 150 feet long, the understriictiirc to be left open in the meantime. The contract price is £ll7B 15s. AVlicn completed the stand will fill a long felt want. The old stand will le converted into dressing rooms, and w,'|| provide ample accommodation for some years to come. AVith (he completion of the hanking round the ground, the Union Hiould lie free from heavy expenditure tor many yea rs. “The Referees’ Association; The members of this Association again rendered valuable service to the game, and the Union’s h«'t thanks are due fo one and id’. II i-= h'u>«f.| Dir 1 U>e present good feeling will long cont. : 4’ie, for it : s felt that this district v.n produce referees to eonipa.'e very favouraby with their b rother referees in other parts of the Dominion. There is however, a difllrn'Q- o-',,; n -7 .sufficient referees, and the Union hopes the chilis will assist by eiiiisimg die services of ns many ex-players as possib’e. Tile, presen memlers of the Association are at all times ready to help young referees. AA’eekly meeting-- are he'd when instruction is given’ and questions answered. P’avers are also welcomed at these meetings:-. “Bole selector: The sole selector (Mr AV. Gumming) devoted a great, deal of lime to seeing placers and travel ed to AVaimate and Mnckewfc .Sub-Uii ons in order to gain first hand knowledge of all p’ayprs. Tfis task was a hard one, and lie, ia deserving of the be*t thanks of players and public for the efforts put forth to secure the best representation for this . district. “Thanks: Your Union desires to record its appreciation of the services rendered by the St. John Ami.ulance, tho police, and the press, whose ab’e assistance, lias helped >o materially in the control of the < r anie.” The income for the year was £ll6l Is lid, the principal items being gates £856 19s Od and profit on tournament £152. On-the expenditure side, travelling expenses accounted for £291 19s, wages ami salaries £2OO, rules £B2, sundries £I4U, advertising and printing £64 19s. The assets are shown as £3847 (.Athletic Grounds and improvements £3650), againstwhich arc liabilities cf £ISOO to the New Zealand Union. hank overdraft £216, and .sundry debts £159 17s.