MEETING OF FOOTBALLEES.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1612, 21 April 1879, Page 3

MEETING OF FOOTBALLEES.

A general meeting of persons interested in the game of football was held at the Commercial Hotel on Saturday evening, Mr J. E. Evans, captain of the Christchurch Club, in the chair.

After reading the advertisement convening the meeting, the Chairman stated the object of the meeting was to consider the advisableness of joining with Wellington in the formation of a Rugby Union Football Association for New Zealand.

The secretary of the Christchurch Club, Mr M. Lewin, then read a letter which had been received from the secretary of the Wellington Club. The letter stated that the Wellington footballers were desirous of forming a Rngby Union Football Association for New Zealand, and he (the secretary of the Wellington Club) had been requested to invite the co-operation of the principal football clubs in the colony. The primary object of the association would be to offer a challenge cup, to be competed for at an annual tournament by a representative team of each club who joined the association, the general rendezvous to be changed every year, so that all the principal places in the colony might be visited in turn. Each club would have to contribute a certain sum annually towards the purchase of the trophy and general expenses of the association. The letter further suggested that the first series of matches should be played in Wellington, it being the most central place. Mr Lewin also read a letter from the secretary of the Dunedin Club, as well as the following extract from a report of a meeting held in Dunedin re joining with Wellington in the formation of the association ; —“ The proposal of the Wellington Football Club did not meet with any support, an opinion being generally expressed to the effect that the first tournament proposed by the Wellington Club (between Wellington and Nelson) would probably be the only one, and also that before the Wellington Club could be fairly entitled to initiate the proposed annual tournaments, it should follow the example of Dunedin and Auckland by sending a representative team through the provinces of the colony.” After some discussion, during the course of which the opinion of the Dunedin Club re the first place of meeting seemed to bo pretty generally endorsed. Mr Levin proposed—“ That the Wellington club be communicated with to the effect that a meeting of footballers and persons interested in the game has been held in Christchurch, and they agree to support the proposed Rugby Union Football Association, subject to the consent of the clubs in the outlying districts.”

The motion was soconded'by Mr O’Connell, and carried unanimously.

It was proposed by Mr Lewin—“ That a sub-association bo instituted in Christchurch, constituted of the Canterbury clubs. The sub-association to pay an annual sum to the New Zealand Association towards supplying a trophy and defraying other general expenses.” The proposition was seconded by Mr 0. Shirreff, and carried.

Mr Shirreff proposed—“ That Mr Lewin be asked to communicate with the outlying clubs, inviting them to join the Canterbury Association.”

Seconded by Mr Keith, and carried unanimously. This concluded the business, and after the usual vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting adjourned.