FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14948, 22 March 1912, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

' THE ASSOCIATION GAME. AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Auckland Football Association was held, in the Sports oiub Kooms last night. Over 40 persons were present, of whom 21 were delegate?, representing tho Y.M.C.A., Everton, Caledonian, Brotherhood, St. John's, Carlton, Hotspur, North Shore, Ponsonby, and Corinthian Clubs. Mr. T. Pnilp presided, but immediately after the annual report had been adopted he vacated tho chair in favour of Mr. It. Bannister.

Tho report presented by, the committee stated that the past season was the most successful in the annals of Association football in Auckland. The season started with seven first division teams, nine second division teams, four third division teams, eight fourth division teams, 14 fifth division teams, having a registered list of 540 players. The matches in all divisions were well contested, and the form shown by the teams showed that' they are makng every endeavour to master the finer points of the game. Some very exciting contests were witnessed, and they ■•were the cause of a greater increase in attendance during the season. The Ponsonby Club was congratulated on winning the first division championship, as also was the North Shore Club on winning both second and fourth divisions, Mount Albert the third division, and Y.M.C.iA. the fifth division. The association was fortunate in having the Eden Park ground free from floods, and was thus able to play the cup competition. Some 11 teams (including TCuntly and Hamilton) entered for the cup, and after some interesting contests, the Ponsonby team was declared the winner. Reference was made to the fact that tho representative matches with Wellington were a new feature of the game in Auckland. . After dealing with the other representative games, the report added that the Beferees' Association deserved special thanks for its efforts in controlling all games. With the increased number of teams difficulty was found at timS3 in getting referees, but the local executive managed to fill the breach. The question of paying referees their expenses was discussed during the season, and was referred to the annual meeting. The question of fostering the game among the school boys was discussed at the last annual meeting, and a committee was formed, and after circularising the different schools it was successful in getting some 14 teams. Thanks were due to Messrs. Adair, Blincoe, and Turley (boys' sub-committee), for tho interest taken in arranging all matches. It was hoped that the coming season' will see an increased number of teams. The balance-sheet showed that the season started with a credit balance of £2 17s 9d, but owing to the increased expenditure during the year the balance now stands at £2 9s sd. The committee had been careful in the matter of. finance. The thanks of the committee were duo to all those who assisted the association financially and with trophies, to the auditors (Messrs. Heighway and Takle) for auditing the accounts, to the press for notes on the games, to Mr. Newbold for carefully attending to the wants of the association as delegate to the N.Z.F.A. Special thanks were due to Mr. Jas. Pascoe for a beautiful shield, which he gave for competition in the second division championship, and to Mr. Adair for fifth division cup. The report was adopted. It was stated that the committee had found it impossible to arrange definitely for grounds for the season. There was considerable discussion as to the revised rales, which have before special meetings of delegates lately, and the meeting beanie rather befogged. The amendments which had caused the management committee to leave the room at a recent special meeting of the association were withdrawn, and so tho matter ended amicably. Eight of the new rules were approved, and the remainder were held over for anotker special meeting, to be held on Tuesday. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow:—President, Mr. W. D. M. Glaister; vice-presidents. Messrs. C. J. Parr, Joseph McDonnell, J. Pasooe, A. M. Myers, M.P., N. T. Williams, H, Schmidt, J., & Diokiaa,

M.P., J. H. Bradney, M.P., Hon. Geo. Fowlds, Rev. North; management committeee, Messrs. G. W. Adair, E. Harvey, J. Hilford, J. McOlelland, W. Macpherson, H. S. Rose, and 0. Mayall; hon. secretary. Mr. W. E. Smithyman; minutes secretary. Mr. It. Gilmore; hon. treasurer, Mr. Thos. Philp; hon. auditors, Messrs. Horsley and Boyne. sen.; delegate to N.Z.F.A.. Mr. A. F. N'ewbold. Appreciative reference was made to the services rendered by the St. John Ambulance Assoeciation, and also to the work of the football association's hon. secretary. The question of payment of referees' expenses was not proceeded with.