FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2858, 27 March 1888, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Rugby Football Union,

Annual Meeting.

The annual general meeting of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union was held at the White Hart Hotel, Carterton, last evening (Monday), The following representatives were present: Messrs F, W, R. Seed, Vice-President, (in the chair); E.M.D. Whatman, P, H. Oox, P. D. Felling [proxy] (Masterton); C, Beard, E. Udy, W. [Jdy (Grey, town); W. Iggulden, A. D'Arcy, E. Polling (Red Stars); Mahinera Mnaka, Sam Karaitiana (To Ore Ore); Snodgrass, L, Nix [proxies] (Carterton) ; Secretary, Mr S, H, Wickerson. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed, The Secretary presented tli3 following report dealing with the affairs of the Union for the past season ; "Theßalance-sheet for the season 1887, which I shall have the honor of placing before you, is one that I feel sure will meet with your approval, as it shows the Union to be in a' sound financial position, and "when the, heavy

expenses incurred during the" past season are taken into consideration, it is a matter for congratulation to find the Union with such a satisfactory credit balance. The receipts from all sources were £BBl3s 3d, made up as follows: Officer's subscriptions £3 lis 6d, members 1 subscriptions £l4 13s, special subscriptions—to defray expenses of the, Wairarapa v Canterbury match—£7l4s, Gate money at Representative Matches £42 18s 3d, Gate money at Cup Matches £7 3s, and sale of Banquet tickets £l2, These amounts, added to the balance in hand at the beginning of the year—l 3/6 make up the total of receipts, The expenditure amounted to £77 2s sd, the chief items being in connection with the visit of the Canterbury Representative Team to the Wairarapa. With reference to the visit of the Canterbury team, I would mention

that there <vas a deficiency of £l2 in connection with the match and banquet, but through the liberality of some of our Wairarapa friends this was reduced to £4 6s 7d. The expenses generally have been kept down during the year, with the result that the Union has now a credit balance of £lllos 8d to commence this season with. The assets, which include the Union jerseys and hose, amount to £24 8s 2d, and the liabilities are only £ll2s 6d, the balance in our favor being £22 15s Bd. The visit of the Canterbury Team to the Wairarapa, and the creditable stand made by our Representatives against this, crack southern combination, must be a matter for congratulation among all true lovers of Football in this district, for, although we were beaten as far as scoring was concerned, the play of the "Greens" was quite equal to that of the victors. Too much importance cannot be attached to visits from such teams, and it is to be hoped that the delegates will always do their best to induce teams from a distance to visit

the Wairarapa. The matches played during the past year were four in number; two being lost and two won, viz., with Canterbury, lost by 1 point to nil; Wellington (senior), one lost by five points to nil; one won by five points to nil; Wellington (junior) one won by 3 points to 1. The annual matches with the Wellington Union were as usual characterised by good play and friendly feeling on both sides, our representatives being beaten on the

Wellington ground and beating their opponents in the return match at Greytown, A junior representative match was arranged with the Wellington Union towards the close of last season, in which our juniors scored a win after a very well contested game. As the notice given of the match was very short, there was no time to call a meeting of the Union to discuss matters, so the match was decided to be played in Masterton, the team selected being Te Ore Ore Club 4, Eed Stars 4, Masterton Club 3, Carterton 2, Greytown 2, the Greytown men selected

failing to put in an appearance, their places were filled by the emergencies, As the Wellington Union are looking forward to a return match with our juniors, it is to be hoped the delegates will decide to send a team down early in the season. The Senior Challenge Cup instituted by the Onion last season was won for the first time by the Masterton Club who defeated both the Carterton and Greytown Clubs in the first round. The Junior Challenge Cup was won by the Te Ore Ore Club who defeated the Masterton and Red Star Clubs, having played one drawn game with the latter before scoring their win. For this cup the Masterton and Te Ore Clubs have each a " leg in." The visit of. the English footballers to New Zealand should not be allowed to pass without an effort being made to arrange a match with them in the Wairarapa, To this end I have communicated with Mr Lilly white, who will doubtless give us all the information we require on the subject at an early date. The question of playing a match with Mr Warbrick's Maori team of footballers should also receive fhe attention of the delegates, as the fact of it including at least one Wairarapa representative— Akitu—would cause extra interest to be taken in the event in this district. AsHhe advisablcness of establishing a New Zealand Rugby Union has been mooted among some of the principal Unions of the colony, we shall doubtless be asked to express an opinion on the subject. Those who have watched the progress of football during the past few years will agree that the movement is premature, for the advancement

made and the admirable manner in which tho principles of the game have

been upheld by the English Rugby Union prove conclusively tbac any, changes made in the direction indicated would not be beneficial to football generally. Any action' taken by this Union should bo well and carefully considered, but I have no hesitation in saying that the interests of footballwill not suffer in the least by leaving the management of the game in the hands of those who have piloted it through its many years of success. It is necessary that a revision of the Union bylaws be made, as many necessary rules have to bo added, besides a more complete set of rules for the guidance of cup matches.—l am, &c, S, H, Wickerson, Hon, !sec." The balance sheet for the year wa3 then read and adopted on the motion of tho Vice-President, seconded by Mr D'Avcy, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Secretary for placing such an exhaustive report before the meeting and for the interest he bad] taken in the affairs of tho Union during the past season. The Masterton Club proposed and the Red Stars seconded " that the Rival Football Club of Carterton be admitted to membership of the Union. The Vice-President explained that the Carterton Club was practically defunct and that tho Rival Club had been started to fill its place in the interests of football. After a brief discussion, the motion was carried and the delegates of the new Club admitted to the meeting. The election of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with, the following being elected: Patron: Mr W. C. Buchanan M.H.R, President: Mr G. Beetham M.H.R., VicePresidents : Messrs A, R, Bunny, J. ?. JRussell and Dr Johnston,

Mr Seed, having declined to stand for re-election, vacated the chair in \ favor of Mr W. Udy. A vote of j thanks was accorded Mr Seed for the '■;• great interest he had taken in Union matters, ho having been one of its most j active officers, and been inwice since \ the formation of the Unlow In acknowledging the compliment the retiring Vice-President promised to use his best endeavors on behalf of the ,* ) Union, and as a proof of his earnest- \ ness handed the Treasurer a cheque of £I Is towards the fund 3of the institu- ■_{ tion. Secretary and Treasurer: Mr M S. H. Wickerson. Managoment Com' / M mittee: Messrs P. H. Cox, Snodgms3, :•( W. Udy, A. D'Arcy and Mahinera. Senior Match Committee: Messrs W. H. Hirschberg, F. W. R. Soed, and W. Udy.,, It was resolved that a Junior Representative Match Committee consisting of three members, be appointed by the Union, and the follow ing were electe d, Messrs J. Ross, Mahinera and J. ■ Miquire. The management Committeerwere requested to arrange for thefcreturn Junior Representative match Wellington Union at an early da\e, Mr W, Iggulden gave notice that he would move at the next ceueral meet- .$ ing, for the insertion of the words: *'; "using foul play" in tfte bye-law relating to rough play, view of giving the referee more power during matches.

Votes of thanks to the retiring officers and to the Chairman concluded the meeting.

The Greytown Football Club held its annual meeting last Saturday when the following officers were elected : President;—J. P. Russell Esq,, VicePresidents : Dr Bey and Mr Win. Udy; Secretary and treasurer: Mr W. Knell; Committee: Messrs Amos, E. Udy, H. Mitchell, A. L. Webster and 0. Beard; Match Committee, Messrs Webster, Beard and Cameron; Delegates to Union.: Messrs 0. Beard, E. and W. Udy; Captain Mr C. Beard; Practice Captain: Mr E, Udy. It was resolved to open the season on' Saturday next, 31st Match, and the meeting then adjourned for a week.

The East Christchurch Cluh definitely decided to play the Pontine Club at Wellington on Sataday next.