FIFTY YEAES IN TARANAKI.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 23, 28 January 1924, Page 8

FIFTY YEAES IN TARANAKI.

January 24th was the fiftieth anniversary of the introduction of Kugby football in Taranaki. The founders of the game in that province include three wellknown residents of Wellington—Colonel B. J. Collins, C.M.G., late Controller and' Auditor-General, and Messrs. Arthur Hqby (dentist) and C. W. Chilman (ex-manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Te Aro). When on a visit to New Plymouth, Colonel Collins was approached by a "Taranaki Herald" representative for some particulars of the introduction of Eugby into the district. It was, he said, on the 24th January, 1874, that the first meeting was held to form a'club in Taranaki. There was,a large number present, and it was decided to form;a1 club to be known as the "Taranaki Football Club," its colours to be blue and white. The officers -'elected were : Captain, E. J. Matthews; vice-captain, A.. Drew; honorary secretary and treasurer, B. J. Collins; committee, A. S. Douglas and J. F. Boylan. The names of the members enrolled were : E. J. Matthews, A. Drew, W. Cook, E. J. Collins, A. S. Douglas, J. F. Boylan, N. King, W. H. Skinner, A. Hoby, C. Moon, W. Moon, L. M'Donough, L. Norris, C. W. Chilman, F. King, T. Russell. J. Eussell, J. lAinslie, J. C. -Adams, C. E.. Gore, aud'otheTs. The membership of the club was, 25, and the practice ground Poverty Flat? The introduction of the .game into New Plymouth by the inauguration of the Taranaki Football Club was soon afterwards followed by the formation of the Egmont Club, and then a club at Pukearuhe, White Cliffs, where the Armed Constabulary Force wag stationed —members of which were noted for their fine physique. . . Frequent matches took place between the three clubs. Poverty Flat being the site chosen for the various contests.

■ The first inter-provincial representative match was one against Auckland, which took place on Poverty Flat on the 28th September, 1875. The Auckland team had been touring the South, and it was on their return North that they landed at New Plymouth to play the game. Fortune had been against them down South, and they had a hope of scoring a win here," but this was not to be, as Taranaki won by 8£ points. The system of scoring then was 6 points for a goal, 2 points for a touch-down, and i a point for a force-down. The result of the game was : Taranaki, 1 goal and 7 force-downs, equal9i points; Auckland, 2 force-downs, equal 1 point. The game was a very rough one, black eyes and bruises being quite common. ihe Auckland captain "Dunnett" was knocked out early in the game, but subsequently Tesumed. Gore (Taranaki captain) had a very nasty kick; A. Hoby sprained his foot 7 and. had to leave the..field; while J. C. Adams, who played a great game, had some nasty knock^n'J^ fac^t^lherel^SvJa greafe; crowd ■W''oiiT66Iklsifs,''')Sir:"'-'bTisiiiess'----'''Ilti town being suspended, banks, Government ■offices, and shops being closed.