ASSOCIATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 78, 1 April 1936, Page 18

ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING

COLLEGES AND. CODE

There was a good attendance at the annual meeting of the Wellington Football. Association, which was held at !the Basin Reserve last evening. Matters of interest to followers of the Association code were discussed, including the question of Soccer in schools. Mr. J. J. Roberts presided.

Reference to the death of Mr. B. L. Salmon was made by the chairman, who said that the late Mr. Salmon had devoted practically his whole lifetime to the Association game. Members stood for a time in silence as a mark of respect to Mr. Salmon's memory.

In discussing the annual report and balance-sheet, the chairman said that great difficulty was still being experienced in introducing Association football to the colleges at Wellington and Christchurch. The game had gained a fair hold in Auckland and Otago, but there appeared to be a feeling of antagonism towards the code in Wellington. Its exclusion proved a disadvantage to the boy of only average physique who was unable to play Rugby. A boy might be a brilliant scholar and a born Association football player but, against a Rugby player, he would have no chance for a Rhodes scholarship. Ih effect, such boys were told politely that they must play Rugby or nothing. Those who opposed the code in the colleges took a narrow view which should be strenuously opposed, as followers of the code contributed to the college funds in various ways.

The point mentioned by the chairman was a very sore one, said Mr. W. B. Hicks. They appeared to have exhausted all avenues of approach, but with the changed Administration something might be done.

I "- Several other members expressed the view, that the matter should be pressed j in;-the proper'quarters and the, report was adopted.

The Wadestown Club, which has not been active for about fifteen years, was admitted to the association.

The .following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—

Patron, his Excellency the GovernorGeneral. (Viscount ;Galway); president, Mr. J. J. Eoberts; vice-presidents, Messrs. H. Ivory, C. K. Dick, H. C. Brice, A. G. Barnett, F. Williams, A. Varney, W. Skinner, A. A. Kirk, P. Banks, W. Pawson, F. O'Connell, C. Webster, W. Duncan, M. Cable, A. Garred, F. Dewhurst, J. H. Howell, F. H. Smyth, A. J. Gearing, T. Forsyth, W. Beveridge, J. McCrorie, J. Mcllvride, J. Norrie, H. Power, G. Guise, R. G. Ridling, W. Jordan, the Superintendent of the Mental Hospital, W. H. Hopper, J. McArdle, J. C. Riddell, P. C. Watt, W. Fraser, F. Taylor, W. F. Stilwell, M. Fraser, and Sir Charles Statham; management 'committee, Messrs. W. B. !Hicks, (Island Bay), C. Ballard (Diamond), J. Allan (Petone), E. J. Gates [(Technical), G. F. Aers (Scottish Wanderers), J. Meltzer (Nada), and J. M. Coleman (Msrist); hon. treasurer, Mr. J. J. Kean; hon. auditors, Messrs. B. IMartin and W. I. Wilson; delegates to,the New Zealand Football Association, Messrs. W. Duncan and P. McKenzie; trustees, Messrs. F. J. Courtnay "and J. J. Roberts; vice-presidents to N.Z.F.A., Messrs. Courtnay and A. E. Wells.