FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12854, 1 May 1905, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

The district club teams, playing under tho auspices of the Auckland Rugby Union, held practice matches 011 Saturday afternoon, the majority of them at Alexandra Park. The musters were good all round, and some very useful practice was indulged in. The season's competitions commence next Saturday. AUCKLAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS OLD BOYS' RUGBY UNION. The first annual general meeting of delegates to the Auckland Secondary Schools Old Boys' Hug by Union, was held in the Amateur Sports Clubrooius on Saturday night. Delegates from ail the clubs were present, and Mr. S. Stephenson was voted to the chair. The rules were Anally adopted, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year-—President, Mr. ,1. W. Tibbs; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. C-lias. T. Major. 11. D. Mahon, 8. Stephenson, Professor Seegar, Brother Justin, Rev. P. 8. Smalllield; secretary and treasurer, Mr, Chas. V. Robertson; auditor, Mr. Mcllroy; Managing Committee, Messrs. A. I'lugge. G. McLean. Hampson. B. Irvine. Whittaker. and the secretary (ei-olllcio). It was decided to form a .Referees' Association in connection with the union, several old players having placed their services at the command of the union. Tho report of the deputation which waited on the Auckland Rugby Union with a view to affiliation, was received. The Auckland Rugby Union having decided not to accept the Old Boys' Union as an affiliated body, it was unanimously decided to conduct the Old Boys' Union us a separate body. The weekly meeting of the Managing Committee of the Old Boys Rugby Union followed. Mr. Plugge being elected chairman. The matter of grounds, colours, subscription by each club to the union, and the election of honorary members, were decided upon. The secretary was instructed to notify the Amateur Sports Club to the effect that the union was desirous of becoming affiliated to the club. The next meeting was fixed for Wednesday evening, when matches and all other matters will be fixed for tho year. PAPAKURA FOOTBALL CLUB. A meeting of the Papakura Boys' Football Club was held in the public library last Tuesday., A good number of members were present, and tlio following officers were elected: — Patron. Mr. M. M. Kirkbride, M.H.R.; president, Mr. W. Guise; vice-presidents. Messrs. H. Willis. T. McEwin, H. Wright. 8. Slack, W. Findlay. Jas. Black, P. Bowler, D. W. Jones, R. Fleming, and O. Rau; committee. It. Wilson. Colin Black, Carl Block. C. Younghusband. J. Burgess. and A. Rau; captain. H. Wilson; vice-captain, Colin Black. It was decided to hold the first practice on April 29. •THE AUSTRALIAN GAME. The Australian Football Association of Auckland opened the season very successfully at their ground at Kingsland, on Saturday, with a competition comprising' long distance kicking, goal kicking, running with the ball, and an exhibition match. Their was a very fair number of enthusiast* present, and great interest was manifested in the various competitions. The judges were Dr. Tracy Inglis, Mr. W. Forbes, and Mr. T. Maguire. assisted by Dr. Walsh, Dr. Ferguson, and the officebearers of the association.. The match between teams captained by B. Sand ford and W. Tongue was a close and interesting contcst, and considering the little practice that the players have had, some very good play was witnessed on both sides. The game ended in a victory for W. Tongue's team by five goals six behinds, to three goals four behinda. Mr. P. Lawson acted as contral umpire. The following a.re the results of the competitions;— - Long Distance Kicking (two kicks each): B. Fandford, 65yds. 1; J. Abfalter. 63yds, 2; B. Sandford, 62yds, 3. Tho kicking of all the competitors was exceptionally fine, and some half-dozen managed to cover the 60yds. . Running with the Ball, 75yds (ball to bo bounced once at least, within every 10yds): W. R. Forstcr. 1; J. Orpwood. 2; .1. Strange. 3. This was tun off in heats, and in the final, Fnrster, who ran very steadily, won comfortably. Goal Kicking (best of three kicks at 45yds): T. I;. McKeon. 1. and .1, Abfalter. B. Sandford, D. Oallinan, W. Strange, tied for second. The association is to be congratulated on the success of the opening, and as great enthusiasm prevails among the members the game should make progress. It is intended to start the premiership contests in a fortnight. as the Kingsland ground is now available every Saturday. The association have in Mr. K. L. McKeon a.n indefatigable and popular secretary-, and it was in the main owing to his efforts that Saturday's opening was so successful. 'ANNUAL MEETING OF THE GOLDFIELDS' UNION. [BY TELKGR.U'H.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Paebua, Saturday. The annual meeting of the Goldlields Rugby Union was held at Karangahako lust night. Those present were Messrs. Sheen. McWhirter (delegates from the Wuihi Union), Scan lon, Morrison (Karangahake Union), Moore, Brown (Pacroa Union), and H. Bush (secretary). . The report anil buUuice-shcet. were read and adopted, the latter showing a credit balance of £15 2s. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: —Patron, Mr. \V. if. Herries. M.H.R.; president. Mr. K. G. B. Moss, M.11.R.; vice-presidents, Rev. Father Brody. Messrs. D. McLean, Brertan, Poland, A. Montgomery, and Kitchiijg; secretary and treasurer. Mr. H. R. Bush: chairman of committee, Mr. T. Sheen. It was decided to again affiliate with tho Auckland Rugby Union. An application was received from the Piako Union for the removal of the disqualification placed oil 11 Piako players last season for leaving the field in the Piako-Paeroa match before the conclusion of the game. It was decided that on th« players sending a written apology the disqualification bo removed, SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHUKCII, Saturday. The Canterbury Rugby Union football competitions were commenced this afternoon in fine Varin weather. Albion, 11 points (a goal from a mark, a "potted" coal, and a try), beat 1/inwood. 10 points (two goals from tries); Sydenham, 11 points (a goal from a try and' two tries), beat Merivale, three points (a try)': Ohristchurch. 18 points (three goals from tries, and a try), beat Old Boys, six points (two tries). c ' Dunedin, Saturday. The senior football matches commenced today. Southern (last year's champions) beat Alhambra by nine to si>:; Duncdin beat Pirates by nin» points to nil: Kaikorai beat Union by 14 points to three. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. fllY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Saturday. Casey, of Dunedin, has been chosen to accom puny the New Zealand team to England.