Football.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 993, 13 March 1891, Page 15

Football.

WELLINGTON FOOTBALL CLUB. The annual » eeting of the Wellington Football Club was held at the Club Hotel on Friday evening, a large attendance of members being present, Mr G. Hume occupied the chair. The report of last season congratulated the Club on the high position attained in the football field, the first fifteen carrying off the Senior Championship with an unbeaten record, mainly through the splendid place-kicking of G. C. Fache. The first fifteen played 10 matches, winning 9, the match with the Christchurch Club being lost. The annnal match with the Masterton Club was won, after a well-contested game, by 2 points. The second fifteen played 11 matches, winning 7 ard losing 4. The third-fifteen were rather disorganised last season owing to the scarcity of grounds, but it is hoped some improvement will be made in this pari icular during the com ing season. In the representative matches the Club was well represented. The annual sports in connection with the Club, in spite of the wet weather, proved very successful. The thanks of the Club are due to Messrs Batkin, Ronaldson, McCardell, Werry, and Webb for their efforts in connection with the sports, and to Messrs Bethune aud PyKo for their regular attendance at the gymnasium. The finances of the Club are in a sound condition, there being a credit balance of L2B 15s 3d, whilst there are outstanding subscriptions to the amount of Ll 7 10s. The report, in conclusion, urges on members the necessity for going into active training at once, in view of their coming match with tiie Christchurch Club at Easter. On the motion of Mr J. Collins, seconded by Mr K. Duncan, the report was adopted unanimously. Fourteen new members were elected to the Club, amongst whom are S. Cockroft (the well-known Athletic forward), F. Forsyth (late of the Union Club, in Dunedin), H. Speed (late of Blenheim), and W. Coffey (late of the Melrose team). The following members were elected officers of the Club for the ensuing season; —President, Mr W. 11. Levin (reelected) ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs J. Duncan, N. W. Werry, P. P. Webb, and Dr Martin; Captain, Mr G. Ilume (re-elected) ; Treasurer, Mr F. Pownall (re elected); Management Committee, Messrs Collins, K. Duncan, Fache, Galbraith, Harley, Pownall,and Speed; Match Committee, Messrs Collins, Fache, and Hume; delegates to the Rugby Union, Messrs JCelling, Pownall, and Smith. The motion to join the Sports Protection Association was lost on a show of hands. Mr J. G. Smith moved that by-law 14 be altered to read as follows : “ That no member be allowed to play in any match until his arrears of subscription are paid,” which was carried. The meeting decided to hold their annual sports at the latter end of the season. Mr A. D. ’lhompson was elected a life member of the Club. Messrs A. T. Atkinson and G. G. Fache were placed on the reserve list. The meeting decided to carry on the gymnasium during the coming season, the first practice to be held next Tuesday night. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings.

A pleasing incident varied the routine proceedings on Friday at the meeting of the Wellington Football Club, when the Chairman, Mr G. Hume, presented a medal given by Mr A. Reader for the best forward in the first fifteen to Mr G. C. Fache, who acknowledged the compliment in suitable terms. After cheers had been given for Mr Faolie, Mr J. E. Smith intimated that he would present a trophy to the best forward in the first fifteen during the coming season. Mr A. D. Thompson, who was elected a life member to the Wellington Football Club on Friday, has decided to give up playing in future. During Mr Thompson’s career in the football field, his play has been most consistent, and he has rendered cignal service to this province, and also to his club. Footballers will remember in the disputed match with Auckland in 1883 the fine pot at goal Mr Thompson made, which equalised the scores, and also in the first match with the Englishman he again came to the resoue of his side by putting the leather over the bar, thus saving a defeat. The Wellingtons will also lose the services of Booth, Fache, and Glnders, three of their best forwards, who have decided not to play next season. The Management Committee of the Rugby Football Union, at a meeting held at the

Club Hotel on Tuesday night, decided that the Petone Club would forfeit their “ leg iu ” for tho Junior Cup if they played under another name. As the Petones have no wish to loso their advantage, the amalgamation of the Epuni and Petone Clubs i 3 not likely to c ;mo about.

As the Poueke Football Club will receive a visit from East Christchurch at Easter, tho members should roll up well to practice botli on the field and at the gymnasium, which ia now opened. Wo understand our iutonding visitors have been already doing good work, and are likely to give the local team a hard fight.