WELLINGTON FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 466, 26 March 1909, Page 7

WELLINGTON FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. About thirty delegates attended the annual meeting of tho Wellington Football Association last night. Iu moving the adoptiorl of tlie annual report and balance-sheet, tile chairman (Mr. B. L. Salmon) said that the fact that the association had won tilts Brown Shield was cause for congratulation, as they would liaTO several representative matches during tho year ill Wellington. In regard to grounds for (tie coming year, ho stated that they had arranged for one at Scatoun, negotiations ttere practically, completed for a ground at Petonc, alid they would probably also liavo the Dupptt Street ground. Last season they had had about twenty teams iu tho various championships, and this year ho thought there would bo about 25. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Tho following now clubs were affiliated—Marist Bros' Old Boys and Phoenix. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow:—Patron. Mr. 0. 11. I?.ard; president, Mr. J. G. W. Aitken; vice-presidents, Messrs. G. Wilson, C. J. Abbott, C. P. Skerrett, K.C., ft. Pye-Smitli, F. G. Bolton, E. n. Davenport, T. Shields, 11. N. M'LeOd, F. G.' Courtney, H. N. Holmes, .T. J. Roberts, H..M'Keowen, Major C. D. Mackintosh, Dr. llassall, Hon. I'. W. Hislop; lion, secretary, Mr. A. Williams! 11011. treasurer, Mr. J. M. Oilier; lion, auditor, Mr. A. G. Barnett; Management Committee, Messrs. B. L. Salmon, J. Paton, 11. V. Waters, G. Adair, W. Anld, L. White, and J. Davidson. Mr. S. R. Shannon moved that Rule 5 of the by-laws be altered to include, after tho wtrfdS "annual meeting'": ''Such Management Committee shall not consist of any member who is directly interested with any Olub under tho jurisdiction of tho W.F.A.'' On the Suggestion of Mr. Holmes, tho word "member" in tho motion was altered to "player." . The chairman opposed the motion. If thoy did not wish UNiuve players on tho committee tho remedy was in their ow'n hands. They heed not elect them.

In a humorous and candid speech) Mr. Roberts said that (he members of last yiar's Management Oomniittco were all right, on the committee, but. it. would bo better for the game if most of them retired from the iield of active plav. Most of (hem tvfifo pilSi their football days. 110 also thought that tho time had como when Association football could bo "run" without players. (Laughter.) The motion was' Carried. Tho ago limit for Junior League second division players was fixed ai 17 years on May 1, and for third division players at 15. 11 r. A. Williams moved that Rule .1 of Hie for League Contests bo altered to include That club secretaries shall, not later than the Wednesday following the playing of a malch on (he previous Saturday, forward lo Jhe secretary of the association tho result of such malch."—Tho motion was lost. llr. Bi- h. Sitlilion moved to Hid effect illrtt no member of ntiy club shall be allowed lo take part in any match on any ground under the auspices of (ho association unless his subscription has been paid to his club in each season. , , An amendment was moved bv Mr. ,T. J. Roberts, that tilt) Word 9 be added:—"Unless (lie club subscription has bceU paid tft (ho association on or IrffolV. July 1." Tho nmtnded motion iVns cnrricd. The question of tho allocation of (ho Clip presented by Mr. Adair was left to (lie Management CVinilliittee. Mr. B. L. Salmon moved (hnt it be a recommendation (o tho Management Committee that tho qucstiijli of titTOJigilig fefrfeserilattvo matches for the cbirtiilg season bo considered early in the year, sotn6 of tho matches, if possiblci being arranged for June B.—Thie was carried,