FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13134, 24 March 1906, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

The football season will be with us again before long, and clubs are already arrang'"B f° r the holding of annual meetings. The Ponsonby District Club will meet on J? riday evening next (March 30), when the report to be submitted by the Management Committee will show that the past season was one of the most successful in the history of the club, the western district players having won the silver football and the third grade championship, besides being runners-Lip in the first, and second grade competitions. The financial statement will also form pleasing reading. 1 It is expected that the whole of the Auckland members of the New Zealand team ill plav during the coming season Glasgow, the well-known Taranaki forward, and member of th "All Blacks," is said to intend to make Auckland his future place of residence. The City Club hope to secure the services of this sterling player, nut lie does-not so far appear to have de- . "imply intimated in which district he will reside. W. Mackrell, the young Auckland representative forward, who gained a place in the New Zealand team, but plaved very little, owing to illness, will not assist his oil club (Newton) this season. During his absence in the Old Country his people moved into the City district, and we shall therelore find him conning the red and black jersey. It is reported that H. D. Thomson, the \\anganui member of the "All Blacks," is likely to be transferred back to Auckland ' again. Before leaving Auckland for Wanganui lie played in the threequarter-back lino of the Grafton team, and mav be expected to assist the club during the coming season. 1 homson has put on a good deal of weight since he last played here. t» Messrs. W. S. Glenn (Taranaki) and E. T. Harper (Canterbury), of the New Zealand team arrived at Wellington by the Moeraki on Wednesday last, and were welcomed by offici ls° W Zt>alancl and Vp lhngton Union Although no financial assistance was given last season by the Auckland Union the Ponsonby District Club succeeded in paying off a further £50 of the debt incurred in the erection of a training hall. This points to careful management of the club's funds by trie committee. There is said to be some likelihood of C. Seeling, of the New Zealand team, who lvecl in Wanganui prior to coming to Auckland, taking up his residence in Wanganui again. He made his first appearance in senior football as r a member of the Wanganui Pirates Club team. J. »V. Stead, vice-captain of the New Zealand team, has denied the report circulated some time ago that he intended retiring from the game on his return to the colony. Stead says that, lie will continue on the ?u tlV «r , i so lon ' as . there is a chance of the Welsh team coming out to New Zealand. He is anxious to again oppose the only team which beat the "All Blacks" during their tour. It is reported that- the balance-sheet, of the Wellington Rugby Union for 1905 will show a deficit of about £S0 on the season's operations. THE AUSTRALIAN GAME. A meeting of the Australian Football Association was held at- the Sports Clubrooms last evening. Upwards of 50 members were present. Mr. C. Sexton was in the chair. It was decided to alter the name of the ' association to the Australian Football League of Auckland. Three winners of contests at the opening carnival were presented with a handsome walking-stick each. The trophies were for the following events:—Long-kick-ing, B. Sandforcl; place-kicking at goal, E. L. MeKeon ; running with the ball. W. R. Forster. The annual report showed a satisfactory season, and prosperity for the incoming season was anticipated. The Kingsland Cricket Ground had been offered to the league for the coming season. The. following officers were elected for the ensuing year President, Dr. Tracy R. Inglis: vice-presidents, Messrs. A. M. Myers, T. A ivian, W. F. Forster, W. E. Woodward, A. H. Webb, J. Evans, E. Best, G. Chirnside, and Nash: patron, Mr. D. Norden; vice-patrons, Messrs. Paul M. Hansen, Robert Dew, E. Pavitt, Dr. Lewis, Messrs. J. M. Brigham. J. Buttle, J. J. O'Brien ; secretary, Mr. E. L. McKeon ; assistant-secretary and j treasurer, Mr. .T. F. Maguire: auditors, Messrs. W. H. Carter and W. R. Forster; Management- Committee, Messrs. Sexton, Stevenson, J. F. Maguire. D. Callinan, W. Tongue, W. R. Forster, Wilson, A. Buddie, and Hiiies. Two more representatives from each club have yet to be nominated for the Management Committee. Mr. D. Callinan was elected general secretary for the junior 1 clubs'. ' - LAWN TENNIS. ' The interprovincial contest, Taranaki v. Auckland, excited keen interest, and there was a large attendance of spectators in spite of the unpleasant weather. Auckland is in so isolated a position that players have few opportunities of meeting others from outside. Wellington and Canterbury have an annual fixture and many tournament, both in the centres and in the neighbouring country towns. If. is therefore to be earnestly hoped that the competition just held will be the first of many regular meetings between the two provinces (Auckland and Taranaki). Such experts as Dickie, "Wallace, and Miss Powdrell can teach us a good deal, and our players will look forward with pleasure to meeting them again. Dr. Keith's win from Wallace (Taranaki) was as unexpected as it was popular. The local player gave a delightful-exhibition of accurate placing. His forte is evidently the single game, for he was a long way below par in the double. Grossman had a day off, and was disappointing in both events. Upton justified his inclusion in the Auckland team, especially by his fine display against Griffiths. Paterson was distinctly "off colour," and did not do himself justice either iu the single or double. The ladies all played tip to form except, peril Miss Udy, who was troubled by the heavy ground. Miss Rice particularly distinguished herself, showing to great advantage in the double with Miss Gray. Players should bear in mind that the last day of entry for the Easter tournament is Saiurday, .March 31. No time should lie wasted now in arranging partners. Misses Powdrell and Payne, of the Tarannki team, are still iu town, and have spent several afternoons on tin* various club courts. The last, round <>f ihe inter-elub competition will be played to-day, when some interesting games should b'-" seen, especially in the Auekland-Parnell fixture. The following are the teams taking part : — West Etui v. Devonporl.—Men's A : Paterson and Baker play T. Mackv and H. R. Cooke: Men's B: Upton and Hieksou play A. and K. Howarth. Ladies' A: Misses A. Nicholson and Williams play Mrs. Cooper and Miss Metcalfe; Ladies' B: Mesdames Gentles and Burton play Mrs. Swan and Miis Cardno. Combined A: Dr. Keith and Miss Gittos play S. H. Macky and Miss Cameron: Combined B: Goldie and Miss Holland play F. Brabant and Miss Mason. At West End: Men's B, Ladies' B, Combined A: at Devonport: Men's A, Ladies' A, Combined B. JOden and Epsom v. Onehunga.—Men's A: Grossman and Mtiir play Peel and Whyte; Men's B: A. S. C. Brown and Bamford play Suttie and Moody. Ladies' A : Misses Rice and P. Gorrie play the Misses Fallwell; Ladies' B: Misses E. Gorrie and Hull play Mrs. Harding and Miss Long. Combined A: Billing and Miss D. Udy play Taylor and Miss Adams; Combined 15: W. A. Brown and Miss A.Stewart play Ohlson and Miss Scott. At Eden and Epsom: Men's 15, Ladies' A, Combined B; at Onehunga: Men's A, Ladies' B, Combined A. Auckland v. Parnell.—Men's A : Hudson and Garde play Evans and Maddox; Men's B: Barry Keesing and Kyne play Cox and

Mowbray. Ladies' A: Mrs. Churton and Miss Pieken play Misses Parsons and Bellairs; Ladies' B: Mrs. (ross and Mrs. Palethorpe play Misses Davy awl I'reece. Combined A: Palethorpe and Miss Woodroffe play Scherff and Miss Walker; Combined B: Yaile and Mrs. Coates play Le Sieurand Mrs. Bloom field. At Auckland: Men s A. Ladies' B." Combined A at Parnell: Men's B. Ladies' A, Combined B. Two of the events in the schools' tournament have been decided, viz., the boys' and girls' doubles. The boys' doubles were won bv G. Empson and V. Hull, and the girls' doubles by Misses E. Cumming and H. Bloomfield. The tournament will he completed this (Saturday) morning. Play com-j mencing at ten o'clock s.iarn. Those inter- J ested should.be on the Eden and Epsom courts at that hour. There were about ! the same number of entries as last j year, and it is to be hoped even more interest will be shown by the young players 1 next season. I should like to see this competition extended to the public as well as the secondary schools, and hope the association will see their way to encourage the game still furl her in this respeet. BOXING. i A "boxing association has been formed at j Timaru. , . . ' V. J. Abbott, a. Sydney enthusiast, ar- , rived in Chrbtehuicb recently, and will re- : main in the colony if suitable employment offers. He has not yet appeared in pub he, but contemplates taking part in the middleweight competition at the next championship" tournament of the Canterbury Associa- ( tion i