FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 14001, 6 March 1909, Page 11

FOOTBALL.

O.R.F.U. , Following are the prinicpal points of interest in the annual report of the above, to bo presented to the annual meeting: Among die fruits which the visit of the British team were expected to produce was a revision of the laws of the game in certain respects, wherein an amendment had for some time been deemed by most colonial authorities to he desirable. The proposals which, alter inviting suggestions Ironi afiiii.ited unions and the Referees’ Associations, the New Zealand Rugby Union transmitted to the English Union were, however, regarded by your Committee as disappointing, and action was ; eloquently taken, at their instance, with a view to the introduction in New Zealand in the on-f-ning season of various changes that, in their opinion, are calculated to improve ihe .'purl. The proposed changes aim chiefly aL tlv abolition of feature:- in the game * hit either lend themselves to the practice c! obstruction or that otherwise militate arain't open play The Committee not only have every areuremcc that in the step,-, wi.i-h they (oak ;u this matter they were in-iing in accordance with the views of a vast, majority of ihe plavciMinder their jink diction, bul ako that ‘the weight of the opinion of 11; ' footballers throughout New Zealand nnrq.r.ito ihem in their at-

During the - veils were paid to Otago by ;cm ©r-entativo leas;.- from Fontlibu'.d and Wa Iran pa. The Dark tlbie.; were victorious in hold Hiuv fixture;;, .Jo-tV-aiing Southland by 2d points to 6. .and Waiiaiupa by 22 p.aiir.-s ‘to 8. A mulch

agc.inot the An-.do-WMf.il Irani al-o resulted in ; ". in for Otago by 9 points to 6. The mat-' hj a jam.'l Southland, played at Invercnrei!!, uyuhed in a v. hi for the home team by 12 poinls lo 9.

The first tost match again.-t the Angdo-\y.T.-h team was played in Dunedin. The Zealand team ontclasscd the vioilovs in a 1! 'lepartmcmns o; the game, eventually winning by 92 points to 5. the Otago team loured the Dominion Billing the .rea.-.cn. Of four maiche.? played areare.'t the northern province.', one wa.n won. one drawn, and two lost. The record of (he miUc.hra is as follows:—Against Canlcrbiiry. drnv.n, 8 points each; against Auckland, loot by 11 points to ,S : ag.Mprj, Taranaki, lost by 11 point*? to 9; ■•."gainst V. oilinglon, won by 1.7 point.; to 15." The team also played'a u.iilcii at Onnprru agani.-t a North Otago Fifteen, and defeat'.’d it by 2b points to 6. Xhroe Otago phryeiv,— viz.. S. Ca.-ey, A. .'.lTionaid, and _\. Patterson—were r.eIrctcil to_ repre.-ont New Zealand ugain.-t Ino .Angio-drib team, th.e two {ormor playing in the lire,* match, and the latter in the remaining two. Messrs H. Daneev. Eckhold, 11. Paton, P. Fitzjuiirick. i'. Ivimcv, and A, Patterson also represented the South Island in the mulch against the North Island.

i be flag matches in Dunedin during the part year were not pioduetivc of the standard of football that obtained during the two previous seasons. The interest of the public . contests was. however, fairly well maintained, though the attendance, particularly towards the end of the season, showed a considerable falling off from the 'wo previous .reasons.

It is a source of gratification to tho Committee that, although several cases of misconduct were dealt with during the season, none ot them was of a very serious nature, and the conduct displayed by the players throughout the season was good. Eom© players are inclined to forget tho duty they owe to their dub and to the game generally, but the influence of their fellow players and supporters can do far more good than any punishment by the governing body. The Committee desire to impress upon the players tho fact that the introduction into tho game of rough and foul play is calculated to destroy the value of football as a pastime. Ihe Committee have once more to express their acknowledgment of the valuable service.? rendered by the members of the Referees’ Association. The members devote a great deal ot time to the game, and they erve the thanks of all interested in football. The Committee earnestly appeal to persons competent to render assistance in the capacity of referees to strengthen the ranks of the Association.

The administration of the accident insurance fund i? not in tho hands of this Committee, but it will bo seen from the billancc-sheet that the sum of £3O was voted during the year to meet the claims upon the tund. The Committee learn that the fund was fairly well supported by the players last season, but there are still a great many players who do not avail themselves of the benefits offered at such low rates.

During the year 32 meetings of committee were held, ihe respective attendances of members were:—J. K. Ross 32, V. G. Cavnnagh 52, P. J. Priest 31, 11. Harris 29. J. Duncan 29. Bt. J. J. Dunne 28, J. Hutchison 26. F. H. Campbell 25, Dr Crawford 26, A. Dev 25, D. M. Munro 24, E. A. Hamel 24. G. W. C. Alacdonald 17, G. APLaren 16. W. J. Wilson 15. G. Thomson 12.

From the balance-sheet it will be seen that the season was started with a debit balance of £767, and there is now a debit balance of £583. During the year a loan of £SOO was obtained from the New Zealand Union. Hie sum of £505 was expended during the year on improvements and plant at Carisbrook. The assets of the Union amount to £2.695, showing a balance over liabilities of £1,586. The Committee have already expressed their appreciation of the valuable assistance given to Rugby football by the retiringpresident. Mr Jas. Hutchison, who is serf ring his connection with the union after fifteen years’ continuous.work. Mr Hutchison's valuable services can ill ha spared to Rughv football, but a* he has definitely decided to sever his connection with the governing body, your Committee feel sure that they arc voicing the feelings of the delegates when they assure him of their gratitude for the untiring energy he has displayed in the various offices * filled by him in the union. The Committee return their Inis 1 inlo the hands of the delegates with every confidence in the future of the game of Rugby foothall. Insidious attempts have been made in the past, and may be expected to bo made in the future, in introduce elements the presence of which would lie fraught with peril to the pastime, since it. would, in all probability, detract from (ho sporting character of the game, and involve the forfeiture of a large measure of the support of the public. The Committee have a. perfectly clear conviction that it would be a grave misfortune it Rugby football ceased lo be an amateur game, and if i‘ came under the control of speculators and syndicates, and they are satisfied that the honorable, traditions of Rugby football can be successfully preserved only through a. rigid_ adherence to the principles of amateurism. DUNEDIN CLUB. There was an attendance of about sixty members at the thirty-eighth annual meeting of the Dunedin Football Club, held in the Trades Hall last night. In the absence of the president (Mr S. Solomon) the chair was occupied by Mr H. F. Sincock (vice-president). The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet (previously published), said that he was pleased to see such a fine gathering. It augured well for the coming season. The number of matches played during the season bad been fifty-two, of which thirty-seven were won, four drawn, and eleven lost. Five hundred and fifty-two points bad been scored for and 232 against. This had been a splendid performance, and had it not been for the fifth grade team, the result would certainly have been much better. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £46 18s 2d. This was good, hut such a position did not necessarily mean success on the football field. He thought it would be wipe for the incoming committee to earmark the balance for some purpose. It could be turned into an evil in a football club. The secretary and the treasurer had done excellent work in collecting subscriptions, having got all but four, and all of these were reckoned as good.—(Applause.) Tire seniors and second and fourth grade teams had won the banners in their respective competitions. He congratulated those ■ •■Uvors who had represented Otago, and

especially those who had played in the South Island raatch.-r(Applau6e.)* Mr J. Shankland seconded tho motion, which was carried unanimously. The election of office.-bearers resulted: President, Mr S. Solomon (re-elected); vice-presidents. Mosers D. R. Coreon, J. Whelan, and H. F. Sincock; treasurer, Mr H. Paton; insurance secretary, Mr W. Snow; delegate to Otago Sports Protection Association, Mr H. Paton; auditor. Mr P. J. Finnegan; delegates to O.iR.F.U., Messrs Dunn. H. F. Sincock, and J. Whelan; General Committee—Messrs Dunn, O’Sullivan, Stalker, Milnes, Fitzpatrick, W. Snow, and Reid : member of Selection Committee, in addition to captain and deputy of team being picked, Mr J. Whelan ; practice captain, Mr H. Paton. Fifteen active members and five honorary members were elected.

The opening day was fixed for Saturday, 20th inrt.

A vote of thank.? recognising tho past services of Mr J. Williams, u life member of the club, who has left Dunedin, wig carried.

A recommendation wm? made to the incoming committee to pay more attention to the juniors in future.’