RUGBY FOOTBALL

Evening Star, Issue 17921, 17 March 1922, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PORT CHALMERS CLUB

Mr W. Watson presided over a good attendance of members at ..the annual meeting- of the Port Chalmers Club last evening. , The annual report stated that, although not ,at the top of tho ladder, the teams had put up some good games, and had indeed upheld the traditions of the club. The senior team, although very light, kept all its opponents more than busy, and it was indeed unfortunate in not winning more matches than it did. Owing to the shortage of work in the Port, and consequently the exodus-ot several players, it was found- necessary o withdraw the second grade team in Die middle of the season, and the club is indebted to the O.K.F.U. for allowing it to do this. The third grade team landed about middle place in the ladder; but- this ytai it hopes to do bettor, ns the past season s experience had greatly benefited 1 _ l . The fifth grade tigers had to be specially complimented on their play and the position they secured {third) in their competition. The financial position of tho cluo, as shown bv the balance-sheet, was not too sound; but, of course, there were reasons. To begin with, the past season had- been a fairly expensive one, as the club had had to meet heavy expenditure, mainly a donation to the Borough Council of £2O towards tho new dressing sheet. In addition to this the club donated £9 6s to the local fallen soldiers’ memorial fund. The committee regretted having to report that during the last month the club had lust one of its old members, James Mooney. The committee bad to fciva.uk Nlr James Hay (coach), without whose assistance and untiring efforts the teams would not have done half so well. Thanks tendered to the retiring officers. F. '■vilsoii, C. Boyd, H. Thomas, and Ik Wilson represented the club in interprovincial and touring teams., , The Chairman referred to the past year s good work, and said the present season’s prospects were promising. Mr W. J. Wilson stated that the large attendance that, evening augured woil for the success of the ensuing seasom Mr W. Dougherty made appreciative reference to the Referees’ Association.

The report was adopted. The opening of the .season was fixed for the 25th inst.

The election of officers resulted : —Mr R. A. Luoni, president; Messrs IV. J. Wilson, F. Percy, and W. Dougherty, delegates to the O.R.F.U. ; Mr H. A. Booth, secretary and treasurer ; Mr J. Pickard, auditor; Messrs F. Wilson, C. Loyd, H. Watson, J. Hay, E. Booth, F. Smith, J. Smith, General Committee; Mr IT. Watson, club captain ; Mr J. Hay, coach and selector.

As a mark of appreciation of his services to tho club as coach dining the past season, Mr J. Hay was presented with a cigarette case. Mr W. J. Wilson thought the club should favor the formation of a local Sports Protective Association. An instruction to that effect was given to the General Committee. Mr W. Watson was accorded a vote of thanks for his services as president of the club for two years.

PIRATES CLUB. Mr E. V. Fairbaini presiled at the annual meeting of the Pirates Football Club held last evening. Before commencing the business of the meeting tho Chairman referred to the loss sustained by the club in the death of Gordon Sutton. —A motion of condolence with his relatives was carried in silence.

Mr Fairbnirn, in moving tho adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, said the club was to be congratulated on the excellent results attained by all the teams last season. Altogether, the vari? ous teams played, a total of 79 matches, out of which 58 were won, 6 drawn, and only 15 lost. That record spoke volumes for the enthusiasm of the members, and the usual compldnt in regard to training was, perhaps, not called ior. However, he considered that if the third A and third B teams had shown a little more vigor in regaid to practice they would have finished the season second and third instead of third and fourth. There was great promise for the coming season, and he expressed the hope that a real wave of enthusiasm was going to come over tho younger players. The club had been particularly fortunate hi the number of members it had last season representing the province, both in the Otago No. 1 and Otago No. 2 teams. Out of the senior fifteen, nine members had played in either the A or B team—a very gratifying position. Referring to the visit of the South African team, he said that it had naturally been the ambition of all footballers to play against them, and Tie club's -epre sentatives- had acquitted themselves With credit to the club. On the social side the club had had a very enjoyable trip to Balrlutha. Unfortunately, it had not been found possible to send a team to Christchurch to take part in the 'riaugu.ilr contest with Christchurch and Wellington, but it wa-t hoped to have both clubs visit Dunedin this year.

The motion was carried without discussion.

The elect!in of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President. Mr Forsyth- Johnston; vice-presidents—Messrs E. V. Fairbairn, N. G. Brewer, D. -U. Stuart, and S. G. Stycho; club captain, Mr Douglas Spedding; deputy club captain, Mr C. M'Phee; secretary. Mr J. Calder; treasurer, Mr R. L. Fairmaid; delegate to Sports’ Protection Society, Mr R. L. Fairmaid j committee—Messrs Jones, O'Shea, Smith, Wilson, aid Bell; delegates to the O.R.F.U.—Messrs Fairbairn, O’Shea, and Styche ; Senior Match Committee, the club captain and Messrs Bell - rid Wilson ; Junior Match Committee—the dub captain and Messrs O'Shea and Smith. The General Committee was empowered to appoint a special entertainment committee in connection with the Easter doings. The Chairman then made presentations to Messrs R. Bell and R-. H. Ross, two members of the senior team, on the occasion of their marriages. The recipients suitably responded