FOOTBALL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 21 April 1908, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

ASSOCIATION GAME. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Association Football Union was held at Eltham ; present — Messrs Clark, Eagle and Temple (Stratford), Colbeck and Newton (New Plymouth), Smith (Hawera), Proffitt (Auroa), Betts and Oliver (Kaponga), and Carncross (Eltham). The annual report showed that there was in hand a cash balance of £3 12s Id with which to start the season. It also stated that the interest in the game, especially ' in the southern end, «*< had been well, maintained, the number of clubs affiliated to the Union being six., viz., New Plymouth, Inglewood, Eltham, Kaponga, Hawera, and Auroa, i whilst an application for membership is to hand from the newly-formed : Stratford Club. The Auroa Club intimated that it ' did not join the Union till half through the season, and suggesting, that the Auroa affiliation fees be reduced. — Mr Proffitt said the Auroa Club had now completed its balance-sheet, ' and he would like the matter to drop. — The Chairman thanked, Mr Proffitt for. what was practically a donation, to. the Association, as under the circumstances a reduction would; have -had to he made. ' :. - '* ' . ' A good deal of discussion ensued regarding the expenses of the team which went to,' Auckland to compete for the Brown -Shield.— Ultimately it was resolved, That the' New Zealand Association be written to protesting against its delay in distributing the money and stating that pending a reply the Taranaki Union would postpone consideration of the matter of joining the Association. ' Ofnc&-bearerß < were elected as follows: — President, Hon. Carncross, M.L.C. ; vice-presidents, Drs Walker (New Plymouth), Harrison (Eltham), Maclagan (Kaponga), and Mr W. P.. Kirkwoods, (Stratford); chairman, Mr Clark; secretary M -and treasurer, Mr Carncross. • „ Messrs Clark, Betts and Carnqross were appointed a sub-committee to transact urgent business. Mr Smith,. on behalf of the Hawera Club, suggested that the Union take steps to. encourage Association football " in schools. If there were no entries for the junior cup competition he said the Hawera Club was. willing to surrender the cup for schools competition. It was decided that the final between North and South is to be played on neutral ground. With regard to the place of meeting Mr Betts said clubs along the Eltham road would' have to be considered; there was the Kaponga club,' further back the Auroa club, and there was a prospect of. other clubs starting towards Opunake. Eltham was made the headquarters' of the Association. The newly-formed Stratford Club played a friendly match against an El* tham team in the Victoria Park, Stratford, on Monday. Schofield, of Ingle'wood, assisted Eltham, and Hutohinsou, of Hawera, played for Stratford, Stratford kicked off, but -were soon on the defensive. Eltham kept up an attack on the Stratford goal, w and after fine passing among the forwards Schofield scored.. Stratford were seldom dangerous, and half-time arrived with the score one to nil in favor of Eltham. In the second portion play was fairly even for a time. Eltham then attack- ~ ed strongly and scored a goal, which was ruled off-side. Play was carried to the other end, and from a free kick awarded to Stratford, Hutchinson placed the ball neatly in goal and^Jgtfgle put through. Eltham team tried hard for a winning goal, but no further scoring took place. Stratford 1 goal, Eltham 1 goal. Mr S. Clarke refereed satisfactorily. ••" ,'