ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1509, 3 August 1912, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

Tl3t "Centre-Half,"] MAINLY CONTROL MATTERS. Where Aro Our Shirts? Shirts I Whcro aro they, and what has become of them aro questions that appeared to causo a good deal of anxiety fci tho chairman of tho local association, -Mr. 11. M'Keowen, at Wednesday's meeting, and no doubt ho had causo to ask questions. These'shirts were given to tho Wellington team which visited Christchurch last year, and sinco then they have not been Keen, at least so says Mr. Williams, tho secretary. When our representatives visited Palmerston North at show time this year, Mr. It. Y. Walls, who was manager of the team, stated that lie was compelled to purchase eleven shirts, but thej were not of the regulation colour. As n matter of fact, they were an "all black" shirt. Last Wednesday evening an account amounting to £2 odd was passed for payment for these shirts, and the chairman rightly queried the legality of tho business. Members appeared to treat the matter in a jocular vein, but not so Mr. Chairman and Mr. Secretary. They wanted to know who authorised the purchase of the shirts, seeing that thero was no note in the minute-book to that effect.

It has been the cry of certain members of the, committee that our finances are not too strong, and why should we pay small sums here and there, such as paying schoolboys' fares out of town, and so forth. But when it oomes to a matter of £2 these men treat the matter as a joke.

Brown Shield Fixtures, Says "Left-wing" in the "Otago Daily Times": "The fact that Wangauui defeated by only 2 goals to nil the Poverty Hay representative team which lost to Canterbury by 2 goals to 9 in tho recent Brown Shield match suggests rather plainly that Wanganui has little prospect of success when pitted against Canterbury. If Wellington, whose challcngo follows that of Wanganui, cannot lower the Canterbury colours, Otago's selection will then be given tho opportunity of attempting the task. According to the rules, the holders d the shield shall not bo required to accept more than four challenges during one season, although tho holders have the option if so doing. Tho four challengers this year are Poverty Bay. Wanganui, Wellington, and Otago. Only ono challenge has been played so far, and the seasm is getting o'n. .It is to be hoped the other matches will be got off in good lime so that tho final challenge can be played before the season has altogether passed away.

"Left-wing" lias just about hit the nail on the head, and the writer agrees with him entirely in what he says in tho last sentence in tho above paragraph. It was most unfortunate that tho dates of Brown Shield matches could not have been better arranged. Of course, some people will blame the Now Zealand .Council lor this state of affairs, but it will bo readily, understood that the wishes of challenging associations must be considered, and. when all arrangements have been made betweea Wangauui and Canterbury to play the match on August ii it would not be fair for the parent body to upset things. Moreover, it Wellington and Otogo are so anxious to have a "go" for the coveted shield, why did the associations concerned not get their challenges in sooner? It that had been done, perhaps they would not have been so eager f to play the matches auy sooner than the date Wanganui has deckled upon. The two associations named should take into consideration that Wangauui is not ablo to make arrangements as quickly as the centres can,- tho reasons being that Wangauui have not the number of players to draw from, and also that they arc practically a country association, and players have a greator difficulty in obtaining the necessary leave to be away for so long on football business puro and simple. However, the New Zealand Football Association apparently sees a way out of tho difficulty in regard to the length of timo which is allowed to elapse between Brown Shield matches in accordance witli their own rules. At this week's meeting of the Management Committee of the W.F.A., a letter was received from tho chief control which concluded as follows. —"My council was quite of tho opinion that sis weeks is too long a period between matches, and this will be provided for in the future."

Obituary.—Mr. C, Stevens. This week another wen-known figure in Association circles passed away in the person of Mr. C. Stevens, who was a vicepresident of the Thistle Club. Mr. Stevens was a great supporter of Association football, having been closely connected with the sport in both the Old Country and Wellington. For tho past four years ho was connected with the Thistle, Club, and friends and supporters will miss his gonial face and liis. witty and kindly remarks from the ■ side-line. Deceased was at one time a member of tho Heart of Midlothian Club, Edinburgh, Ho was also on the board of directors of tho Wellington Football Association Grounds Company, Ltd., and was always keenly interested in the progress of the new ground at Kilbirriie. Ho was also tho donor of tho Thistle Cup, which' is being played for by the school tennis.

Some Stray Notes,' On tho occasion of his recent marriage, Mr. Geo. Guise, a prominent member of tho Swifts Club, received a host of presents from fellow-members of tho club. Mr. J. Lewis occupied ft seat on tho New Zealand Football Council for the first time on Friday, July 19, as a representative of tho Wanganui Football Association. In welooming Mr. Lewis, the chairman (Mr. J. J. Roberts) remarked that ho was sure that he was voicing the opinion of footballers generally when ho said that in Mr. Lewis, Association, football had a keen supporter, an ' energetic worker, and a good sport. He wished Mr. Lewis long tenure of office as Wanganui's delegate. The Corinthians Football Club are organising a benefit match and entertainment on behalf of the widows and children of the tw6 tram conductors who were killed in Wellington recently. Mr. M'Kay, the victim of the second fatality, was assistant secretary to tho club during the season 1911. Corinthians showed what they could do with their own benefit <it the Adolphi Theatre recently, and all points fair to the next being a success. They are deserving cases. Mr. Jas. Paton, a member of tho Wellington Management Committee, was very much alive at this week's meeting of the sociation. It was observed that _ this smiling Scotchman' seconded practically every motion that was proposed. It might be recorded that Mr. Paton was responsible for one or two motions also. Howover, ho "beat tho pistol" every *.i mo a seconder was wanted, and gave his colleagues no chance. At a recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the W.F.A., a motion was tabled to tho effect that the Rugby Union bo asked to give tho Wellington Football Association the rijrht to uso their portion of Newtown Park on tho occasion of the Auckland Fifth Division representatives visit to Wellington on August 24. Somo members appeared to bo perturbed at this request, and a mombor, who has been in office for a number of years, was heard to remark: "What do wo want to go to those fellows for? We can get on without tho Rugby Union." During tho course of Ins remarks nt the Wanderers' smoke concert, held last week, tho' chairman, Mr. J. Mann, said that tho club wore endeavouring to secure a club-room. All that was wanted was a piece of land and a house. Ye 3, that is all- _ , According to Mr. C. J. Ward, who was also in attendance at tho "smoke, New Zealand football is , progressing, and going ahead bv leaps and bounds. He is quite right, for during tho last two years there is an increase of about 150 per cent. in tennis end 200 per cent, in players.

German engine-drivers are given a gold medal and'a sum of money, for every iO years' service without accident.