FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 64, 16 March 1901, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

PROPOSED DISTRICT SCHEME. MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY. In view of the near approach of the footbaU'season, a suggestion has been made for tho formation of a district scheme, which, if adopted, is likely to placo football on a far bettor footing than it has over been in Gisborne. Tho district scheme, which took the place of tho club system in Auckland somo years ago, had been found to work most successfully, and is largely responsible for the great enthusiasm manifested in the northern city for the winter gamo of football. It stands to reason that a person living in a particular part of a district or ward of a borough will bo keen on barracking for that place, and is consequently led to take an interest in the gamo, and attend matches which he otherwise would not liavo done. And further than that the district scheme makes matters moro even among the clubs themselves. New players arriving in tho district cannot bo drawn into a particular club until that club is too strong for any that it is likely to meet, but they must take their placo under the banner of the district in which they elect to take up their residence.

The Rugby Union discussed the matter at somo length two seasons ago, but it was then considered that the time had not arrived for such a change, and so matters were allowed to drag on to the present. It is apparent to all true lovers of the game that something must bo done to place football on a better basis, and wo co ntend that tho promotion of a dis- _ trict scheme is the only solution of the " matter. In another column, Mr W. Miller calls • a meeting of footballers and supporters of tho Rugby game, to be hold at the Masonic Hotel, on Thursday evening next, at 7.45. The business is “to discuss the advisability of changing from the present club system to a district scheme ; to consider any proposal that may be brought forward in the interest of football in this district. All players and supporters are invited.” It is to bo hoped that tho matter will be taken up with enthusiasm, and that every well-wisher of the gamo will make it his business to attend the meeting. Various suggestions have been made as . to the best means of quartering the district in order to make four strong clubs, one being that there should be two town clubs, a Kaiti Club, aud one taking in Wliataukoko and Makaraka. This would leave the country to put in a team and make five clubs competing for the banner. Mr’Miller has drawn up a rough plan of four districts, and has written the names of the players upoil it,'taking the latter from last year’s roll. Thoro are a number of new arrivals in the district who will be available, and it would therefore be as well for them to send in their names to Mr Miller, giving the district in ■which they live. - Under a district scheme Kaiti would be able to put a fairly strong team in the field, amongst whom would be the following : —A. D. Robinson, Kirk, A- E- Colebourne, Rees Jones," Jl Murphy, D. Porter, Bright, G. Reynolds, R. Dobson, S. Witty, F. Cox, H. Robinson, Hansen, F, Pettie, J. Eaton, Harris, J. Webb, H. Jackson, J. Sceats, C.-Moore, W. Gibson, G. Crawford, Hussey, Kellett and

Nicholl, Whataupoko would not be very strong, ’’’ and would probably have to be given a slice from somewhere else. Still they have some players of sterling merit, who would soon work up a good team. The northorn suburb would.claim McCredic, Symes, K. Thompson,' Ri ‘Thompson, H. A. Barton, W. Coleman,.G. Goldsmith, Garrett, Gray, Barton,' Driller (2), and

the following Waimata players: Holden, A. Richardson, L. Buscke, W. Hamilton, and Baker. There aro also the following players at the Freezing Company’s works : M. McGrath, Rainbow, Sharp (2), G. Ball, A. Blair, and Hall. On the Palmerston road side of Glaclstono road up to Lytton road there are a number of good players, and a team to hold its own could easily bo got together. It would be made up from the following : H Graham, Hepburn (3), Petersen (2), Bushnell, Wallace, Rolan, C. Taylor, McGregor, L. B. Shcrriff, A. Sberriff, L. A. Nolan, Davitt, Algie, Quinn, Burns, G. -Buscke, A. Coleman, Pyke, Morrell, Barclay, Zachariah. On the southern side of Gladstone road, from tho wharf to Lytton road, a really good team could be obtained, and amongst other players we mirrht .mention J. Martin, Sargisson, C. Friar, J. Boyle, L. Steele, Reid (2), Price, Samson, F." Henderson, J. McLaughlin, W. Andrews, Glennie, Heaney, A. Webb, H. Webb, Duggan, R. Davidson, L. Williams, Roderick (2), Power (2), Poole (2), File, McKinley, Nasmith, Jeune. A country team, if got together, would include tho following:—Tutaeri, Tuhitaeri Ivere, Sydney, W. O’Connell, T. Haisman, R. Witters, H. Gibson, Potcr Jacob, D. Scott, J. Shaw, W. Graham, Wi Told, J. Fairlio, T. Healey, Tc Rcina, J. Gibson, Tuhoi.

It will, therefore, be seen that there is sufficient material at hand to make the scheme a sound and feasible one. The details can bo gone into carefully at the meeting to be held next week.