ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 261, 31 July 1929, Page 3

ASSOCIATION

NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL CHATHAM CUP MATTERS The Council of the New Zealand Foot* ball Association met last night, Mr. A. J. Hyder presiding, others present being Messrs. W. G. Bryce, H. H. Kenai, J. A. Milburn, W. L. Wilson, F. Saunders, and the secretary (Mr. A. Williams). The Auckland Football Association wrote that owinj to Chatham Cup arrangements- they could not meet Otago in the FA., trophy on August 3, and suggesting September 7. Otago had written that they could ■ not accept this date, and it was reported that Otago, according to a Press Association message, had that day withdrawn their challenge for the trophy. It was decided to inform Auckland and Otago that the match he played on September 7, the chairman remarking that the council could not force Otago to play if they did not desire to do so. The Auckland Association wrote that North Auckland was not proceeding with the Chatham Cup match against Tramways on August 3. The'North Auckland Association wrote that owing to the flooding of the mines and consequent unemployment the Hikurangi Thistle Club desired to withdraw from the Chatham Cup, as the- present state of finances would not permit the expense of travelling to Auckland. It was reported that the Wellington, local final of the Chatham Cup would take place on August 3, and the Wellington representatives would play Manawatu on August 10. The Federation Internationale de Football Association (Amsterdam) wrote asking for information concerning the game in New Zealand for publication in the international handbook. The secretary was authorised to supply the information. A letter from the English Football Association stated that it was proposed to offer in a tangible and substantial form a testimonial to’ Mr. F. J. Wall, secretary of the Football Association, by way of paying tribute to his invaluable work on behalf of the game generally. For 35 years he had occupied his present position. a position which had ever demanded tact, shrewdness, diplomacy, and general understanding of all that goes to make up a secretarial life. In the long years he has given to the Football Association he had never failed that body. “And now in the winter of his days we would offer to him a token of appreciation of all that he has achieved in what has come to be the greatest of all games. Mr. Wall is not only of Britain; he is a world’s character. May we ask for your practical and generous support?” The matter was referred to the Finance Committee. It was reported that about twelve associations were still in arrears with affiliation and other fees, and it was decided to communicate with them, asking them to remit the fees outstanding as early as possible with a view to reducing the council’s bank overdraft. ENGLISH TROPHY OTAGO WITHDRAWS CHALLENGE By Telegraph.— Press Association. Dunedin, July 29. At a meeting to-night of the Otago Football Association, it was decided that Otago was unable to agree to Auckland’s request to play the English trophy match on August 3, and to withdraw the challenge. The match was originally arranged for August 3, but the New- Zealand Council acceded to Auckland’s request to postpone the match to September 7 as four Auckland representatives were engaged in a Chatham Cup final on the former date. Otago agreed to September 7, and then Auckland advis.ed that as one Chatham Cup team had defaulted Auckland insisted on the English trophy match being played on the original date, August 3. The Otago players had, on receipt of Auckland’s request for an alteration of date to September 7, been advised of the alteration in date, and the Otago Association feels that Auckland has been arranging matters to suit itself. It may be added that when Otago agreed to August 3 local selectors knew that several representative players would not be available for selection on that date.