SOCCER CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 66, 19 March 1930, Page 16

SOCCER CODE.

AUCKLAND PREPARES.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING-. SEASON 1930 LOOMS AHEAD. The. near approach of the winter season, with its attendant sport, was emphasised by the forty-first annua, general meeting of the Auckland Foot- • ball Association, which was held la si night in the Y.M.C.A. Judged by the large attendance of club delegates anc supporters present, the interest in the code is unusually keen, a fair augurj of a successful season. Mr. Andreu Menzies, chairman of the Contro Board, presided. Prior to the annual general meeting a special general meeting was held, anc unanimously adopted new and revisec by-laws. The annual report and balance-sheet a precis of which has already appearec in the "Star," were then considered. Some discussion took place regarding the administration of the players insurance fund, Mr. R. Woods Swanson, contending that the contro vhad created the impression erroneously among clubs that claims would be considered at the end of the season. It was poiiited out, however, by Mr S. R. Mar,son, secretary, that the reasor certain claims mentioned had not beer considered and fully met was the faull of the applicants, who had not complied with the prescribed formula. The meeting discussed the continuance of the insurance ssheme on the lines of last season, and the principa: of meeting all claims on an equitable basis was confirmed. An amendment that players pay a weekly contributior met with no support. It was decided tc meet all claims pro rata at the end ot the season. Election of Office Bearers. The election of oilice bearers resulted as foil w~: President, Mr. Ernest Davis: vice-presidents, Messrs. L. C. H. Dawson, A. E. Ford, A. J. Harding, H. S W. King, H. R. Mackenzie, G McMillan, A. J. Parker, W. J. Jordan M.P., Commodore Blake, and the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. G. Baildon; hon solicitor, Mr. G. Uren; hon. surgeons Dr. Neil McDougall, Dr. H. C. Bennett; hon. auditor, Mr. K. Wallace, A.P.A. N.Z.; Control Board (elective members) Messrs. F. H. Baker, A. C. hletcher, A Fraser, H. Gribble, A. Menzies; clul member on judicial committee, Mr. E J. Dugmore. In general business the question oi relegation and promotion in the senioi A and B grades was discussed. Severa! questions were put regarding the attitude of the control board in the event of Philomel, who won promotion last season, not entering a team. The chairman replied that such n situation would be a matter for the consideration of the new control board Mr. G. Forsyth asked if it was the intention of the control board to promote and l-elegate only one team from eacli grade as was suggested in the annual report. The chairman stated that the promotion and relegation of two teams respectively this season was mandatory under a resolution carried at the commencement of the 1929 season. Nothing could be done until all the entries were received this season. Mr. Woods (Swanson) urged the application of the promotion and relegation system to lower grades in ordei to encourage the junior clubs. The chairman was asked by Mr. E. Parkinson if the control board had the power to Insist on each club having more than one team. Mr. Menzies stated that his personal attitude was that the one team clut should be discouraged, as it was not ir the best interests of the game. Mr. G. Ballantyne, of the control board, submitted that under the rules the control board had authority tc decide what grade a club should play in. A discussion followed on the questior of single or multi-team clubs, Mr. J. Curran (Celtic) contending that a ("second string" was frequently a severe handicap. Mr. Norman Anderson (Ponsonby) stated that his club had six teams, and he considered that an organisation on such lines gave younger players the best chance of encouragement. Mr. Ballantyne, of Comrades, whe have nine teams, stated that his clut had no financial difficulties and founc it possible to work smoothly each season Mr. Forsyth stated that running a club of youths was vastly different fron a club of msn, where troubles of employ ment and other responsibilities of the individual player were' met with. Tin discussion then terminated. At the close of the meeting, whirf was characterised by keen interest throughout, the chairman referred to th< extremely valuable services of Mr Massam as secretary of the association and especially to the enormous amoun of extra work that had devolved upoi him in connection with the new niles and by-laws. The meeting by acclama tion carried a resolution placing or record its appreciation of the, work o: Mr. Massam. A vote of thanks to the chairmar terminated the meeting.

PONSONBY CLUB. BRIGHT PROSPECTS. If the annual general meeting of tie Ponsonby Club is any criterion, season 1930 bids fair to be one of repeated successes. There was a very large ■ attendance of members at the Leys' Institute, and Mr. R. M. Beswick, a vicepresident, occupied the chair. The chairman at the outset referred in sympathetic terms to the absence of the president, Mr. G. Hunt, through illness, and eulogised the valuable services he had rendered Ponsonby in particular and the Soccer code in general. The hope that Mr. Hunt would speedily be restored to health was emphatically endorsed by all present. The club's record last season in all grades in which teams were entered was I favourably commented upon and the financial position was considered satis- ! factory. The membership of the club and the prospects for season 1930 were stated to be particularly promising. The election of office-bearers resulted as follow:—President, Mr. G. Hunt; vicepresidents, additional, Messrs. C. Russell, A. Mitchell, R. Smythe, S. Phillipson, D. McGregor, W. Dawson, L. Holgate, A. Fraser; hon. secretary, Mr. L. Downes; hon. assistant secretary, Mr. A. Forman; hon. treasurer, Mr. S. Young; hon. auditor, Mr. C. E. Downes; management committee, Messrs. Skelton, Mitchell, Dimery, Osborne, Anderson, Innes, S. Young, Fraser; delegate to senior division, Mr. N. Anderson; junior division, Mr. S. Young; senior selection committee, Messrs. Anderson, Mitchell, Oaborne; junior team manager and selector, Mr. A, Skelton.