FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15707, 8 March 1913, Page 4

FOOTBALL

DUNKDIN CLUB. The annual meeting of the Dunedin Football Club was held last night in the Stock Kxchange, and wan well attended. Mr J. J. Dunne presided. In proposing the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the Chairman complimented the club upon the way in which the members trained at the beginning of last season, - and he said he did not think any team in Dunedin could have turned out better th.an had the v semor fifteen. Had they continued along these lines be was satisfied that they would have been 'higher up in the list for the championship tlmn they were. He hoped they would train hard again this year, and stick to it right through the season. He urged upon old members who were not going to,, play this season to'do their utmost to help the players with their advice. The Second Fifeen did not train us well as they might have done. The Third Fifteen played the game in the proper spirit that tool-ball should be played in—for the sake of .the game. He thought that the suffering of defeat weighed too much with some .players, and this had the effect of detracting from the merit of the game.- Ho expressed tlie hope that tlie men would play a, good open game, and in this respect ho thought that the University team had taught them a lesson they might very wpll profit by. With regard to the balance sheet, the expenses had been pretty heavy, and he trusted that- they would be kept down bis season. There were a number of items which would not be rccurring, and he thought the club would bo better off at tho end of the forthcoming season ihan it was at the end of last season.

Mr O'Sullivan seconded the motion, which was carried. The election of officers resulted follows :—President, Mr S. Solomon, K.C.; vice-presidents—Messrs -J. J. Dunne, 11. Baron, J. Skinner; secretary. Mr L. O'Keefe; treasurer, Mr J. Robertson; insurance secretary, Mr D. W. Stalker; com; mittee—Mrasrs C\ Bond, G. M'Xaggart, H. A. Cook, A. Walmc-ley, W. Woods, W. Churchill, and D. Stalker; delegates to the Otago Rugby Uniein—MiSssm M'Taggart and Cook; solcctors—Messrs W. Churchill and the captain and deputy-cap-tain (to be elected)-, practice captain, Mr J.' MTaggart; delegate to.the Sports Protection Association.. Mr J. Robertson; auditor, Mr F. J. Morrison. It was decided to open tho season on March 15.

' A letter was received from the secretary of the Sydenham Club (Chrisrchurch), stating that, circumstances permitting, a team would be sent to Uunedin. to play the Duncdin Club at Easter. The mother and sister of Mr H. A. Bremner, to whom tno club tendered u, bonefii last year, wrote thanking it for the kindly thoughts which prompted the members to arrange this benefit', and «tat ; ii nr that thev were removing to Christchurch, where tfiey hoped that Mr Bremncr would' benefit by the change of climate. Mr Bremner would bo pleased to see any of the members before lie left Dunedin. It was decided'that as many members as possible call and sec Mr Bremner prior to his leaving for Christchurch.

UNION CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Un;on Foot.ball Club was held last evening ill the Albany Street Oddfellows' Hall. The president (Mr J. Hope) presided over a Ja-rge attendance of members. The balance sheet showed a small credit balance. . , Tho Secretary of the Southern Club wrote stating tliat their delegates had been instructed to bring before the annual meeting of the 0.11. F.U. the matter of improvements in tho dressing, rooms on the various grounds, more particularly in tho way of lighting, and asking for the club s support—The matter -was referred to a committee. » . . .. The Chairman, in proposing the aJoption of the annual report and balance ehcct, and ho Wflfi pleased to be a.ble to congratulate them on the success they had achie\cd last year. He would dearly like to sec tlicm occupying premier placc during his tcrni as president. The club, as a whole, was improving in its play. The fact that the club hud eccured fivo wins and one draw last year went to prove that if they adhered to their method of play and paid careful attention to the coach's instructions there was no reason why they should not be nyirer .the top than tney were last year. He hoped that tho members would try to pull together during tho coming season. If they did not c!o so, it was quito certain that they would not bo successful in winning tlic'ir matches. The club was one of the oldest in Dunedin. and was known for the clean and sportsmanlike game it played and for the good .fellowship which _ existed among its members, lie hoped it would long continue to keep tho good name it at present possessed, Messrs H. Harris, W. Beadle, and \V. Munro spoke in congratulatory terrtis of tho success attained by the club last season.

The report and balance sheet were unanimously adopted. Tho following wero appointed officebearers for tho ensuing year President, Mr J. Hope (re-elected); vice-presidents-Messrs W. Boadlo, H. 11. S. White, F. Wright, and H. Harris; treasurer, Mr J. M'Kenzie; secretary, Mr G. Freeman; assistant secretary. Mr J. Aitkon; club oaptam, Mr R. Thomson; auditors—Messrs H. H. S. White and W. Beadle; delegate to Athletic Protection Association, Mr N. M'Donald; temporary Match Committee— Messrs J. M'Kenzie, It. Thomson, and J. Coulter; delegates .to O.R.F.U.—Mce-rs H. 11. & White, D. M. Mlunro, and J. M'Kenzie; delegate .to accident insurance, G. Freeman; General Committee—Messrs R. ICnox, J. Coulter, W. J. Munro; N. M'Donald, J. liobson, and D. 'Newall.

Eight new members wero' elected, and Mr J. M'Kenzie was unanimously clcctcd a life member of the club.

During the evening the Chairman referred to the great lom the elub had sustained by the d?ath of Mr D. S. Munro, one of the club's oldest members. At his request the members stood for a few moments as an expression of rospcct for tho memory of the deceased.

It was resolved to instruct the delegates to tho O.R.F.U, to support tho election of three members (o form a Selection Committee.

The Chairman presented tho caps won by players for improved play.

The opening day was fixed for April 5.

TAIERI ROVERS CLUB. The thirteenth annual meeting of tho members ot the T.iieri Rovers Football Club was held in the Coronation HaLl, ot Mosgiel, last evening. Mr J. ' Dryden (president) occupied tho chair,.and there were over a score of persons present.

In submitting its annual'report the committee stated that 1912 had not been a very successful season for the club as the senior grade had not won a match. Thpt was tho lowest record the club had had since its formation, The committee considered that this was due to want of proper and systematic training, and lack of interest among members. An improvement was earnestly hoped for during the coming season. During last season teams were entered in tlio Senior and Second Grade competitions, but both teams suffered considerably from the encroachment of Territorial parades so far as matchc« and training .were concerned. At the commencement of clio season Mr .G. B. Burns (secretary) was appointed delegate to the 0.R.F.U., and it Was found necessary to appoint Mr W. H. Young secretary in his plaoo. During til's season the club was represented in interprovincial matches by H. McDonald. (i. Scott was also selected to accompany tho Otago team on its northern tour, but was unable to\do so. The club was also represented in the Goldfields tour by J. Bathgate, while J. Curran was also selected, but could not obtain tho necc6sary leave. The committco referred with| regret to tho death of one of its senior members, Mr Walter Scott, who had always done his best for the club. The finances of the clubnworo in n very satisfactory condition, there being'V credit balance of £7 Is 8(1, as against 2s 5d at tho beginning of the year. In moving the adoption of (he report and bjahmco sheet the Chairman said the club's position was somewhat disaopointing, but somebody had to be at the bottom. It was pleasing to not-o that the financial position was thoroughly sound, and if members had not used their feet and heads to very good effect they had certainly put their hands ill their pockets. The motion was seconded by Mr T. Snieaton and carried. The election of ofiicc-hearers for the ensuing season resulted as follows '.—President, J\lr J. Dryden (re-elected for tho twelfth

time); vice-presidents—Messrs E. H. Clark, -M.P.. H. H. Inglis, W. H. L. Christie, C. 11. lirookes, H. Millar, R, Cuthill, J. Matheson, C. Loitli. J. Robertson, A. Mitchell. A. F. Quelch, J. T. Walls, J. F. Knott, A. F. Cheyne, G. B. Burns, D. Gibson, C. Kindlay, Dr Allen, and Dr Spedding; secretary and treasurer. Mr J. Kennedy; General Committee—Messrs J. M'Fadden, T. Smcaton. J. Brown, J. Curren, J. Thomson, S. Sinclair, 11. M'Donald. H. Wilson, and G. Cotiper; delegates to the O.R.F.U. —Messrs T. Smeaton, H. Miller, J.. Kennedy, and f!. B. Burns; delegate to the accident insurance, Mr G. Snell; sole; selector, "jlr ,T, Brown; practice captain, Mr 11. M'Donald; auditors, Messrs J. M'Fadden and J. Brown.

Tlio opening day was fixed for Saturday, March 29.

Votes of thanks to the outgoing committee, the 0.R.F.U., the Referees' Association, the chairman, the retiring secretary, the retiring solo selector, and the press were carried by acclamation. KAIKORAI CLUB. The following is a summary of the annual retort of the Kaikorai Football C.ub, to be presented at tho annual general meeting to be held in t'ne Roslyn Council Chambers on Tuesday evening:—

Your committee takes tho opportunity of congratulating the club members on the eucccjfifid season. The rccord of the club has improved slightly, the First Fifteen finishthird on the list. They played 13 matc'.ies. won nine and lest four, the latter games being lost by tho narrowest of margins. The sticcoss of this team was, as in the previous year, largely duo to the splendid manner in which members trained. The Second Fifteen occupied the position of runnerslip in_ their Hag competition. This team, in which there is some promising material, played consistency well throughout tho eeason, and also paid attention to training. It finished tho season with the following record Played 13 matc'hcs. won 10, and lost 3. The Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade matches were too often postponed on ac count of wet weather, thus spoiling the competition, in which the teams lost interest. The Third team played eight matches, winning four, losing three, and drawing one. The club was represented in I'.ie interprovinnial and district matches by A. M'Donald, W. Dryden, T. Woodrow. R. Sit.cair, W. Duncan, J. Mowat, and J. Ovens, who all worthily upheld the honour of Otago. A. M'Donald was again chosen captain of the Otago team, but was nnab!e to travel on the northern tour. G. ITHardy and C. M'Laren had the r ,ionour of representing the club in the Otago junior team, tho former being chosen captain. Your committee desires to plate on record its appreciation of tho services of H. Mchattey— secretary and treasurer of the club 'last year —who was transferred at the end of tho season to Wellington.' Opportunity was taken prior to his departure of making a suitable presentation to himself and Mrs Mchaffey, who ably assisted him in his club duties. Your committee also desires to congratulate the caretaker (Mr Gibb) on the fine appearance of the ground at Bishopacourt. Mr Gibb evidently spent much care on the ground, and we would like to soc his services recognised by tho O.R.F.U. giving the club more senior matches on its own ground in the future than it ha,; dona in the past. Your committee took steps during the season for the formation of a cinder track. This has been completed and will bo a great advantage for training purposes. The cost of the work \va:. £23 6s, of which i'.ie clu-b contributed £16 and the Rugby Union tho balance. Tho finances of the olub are in a satisfactory position. '