OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19136, 2 April 1924, Page 11

OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

ANN CAL MEETING. Tho annual meeting of t-he Otago lootball Association was held in tho R.S.A. Club rooms on Monday night, Mr E. J. Anderson (president) occupying the chair. Ihoro was a large attendance of delegates. The President, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet (previously published), said that it was the 24th year of the O.F.A.'s existence, and that the game was still going ahead. The entries during the year were very much the same as those of tho previous year. A new club had been formed at Ravensbourne. and would place three teams in the field this year. The standard of play was improving. and the play in the cup final was as go*d as any seen for many years. He congratulated the SeaciilT Club on being the first holders of tho Chatham Cup, and ne was also pleased to say that the Peter Dawson Cup was still held by Otago, the province having successfully defended challenges from Canterbury and Southland. As chairman of the executive ho would hike to say that the members had put in a great deal of work, and he referred to the energetic secretary (Mr D. Spedding), who deserved every credit. —(Applause.) Mr Anderson referred to the proposed visit of the Chinese team, and also the possibility of a Canadian team visiting New Zealand in tho coming Season Another matter for congratulation was tho position held by the Otago schoolboys in the primary schools’, tournament He also bespoke tho need of supporting tho Otago Association Referees’ Club, and trusted l that all the old members of the various clubs would assist it in every possible manner. The previous year the Association had a credit balance or £7 3s Id, and at the end of Inst year there was a respectable total of £278 14s 2d. It was mainly from the results of tho recent carnival that the association was in such a flourishing financial condition. Of that amount £2OO had been invested in trustees, and was earmarked for supplying necessary guarantees to bring teams from oversea?. Clubs should be extremely grateful for the successful work of the retiring executive. Mr T. M'Gillivray seconded the motion, and the report was adopted. Following the requisite notice, Mr Anderson moved, Mr Abernethy seconding, that country clubs be allowed only one team from each district in any grade of the competitions.—Mr Anderson pointed out that if country districts had two loams in the competition it did not tend to improve the standard of play, and town teams suffered a disadvantage in having to travel twice to Kaitangata, a position which resulted in town tea.ms defaulting on many occasions.— The motion was carried. Tho election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr 11. J. Duncan; vice■presidenta—the Hon. O. E. Statham, M.P-, Mr M’Killop, Messrs A. Haynes, ’J,’ Deuohrass, J. MTlore, M. G. MTnnes, G. Forbes, R. Powley, L, H. Scott, and M'Callum; treasurer, Mr T. M'Gillivray; auditors, Messrs T. Irvine and M'Callum; delegates to N.Z. Football Association, Mr C. .F. Ward, the nomination of the second delegate to be left to the oxoontive; vice-presi-dents to N.Z.F.A., (ho lion. C. E. Statham, M.P., and Mr C. Fordham ; Selection Committee —Messrs R. Brown, L. 11, Scott, and M'Callum. The retiring president (Mr Anderson), a retiring vice-president and treasurer (Mr J. Milbum), and the late secretary (Mr D. Spodding), who were nominated for re-elec-tion, were urged by several speakers to st.apd for election, but they refused to accept nomination. It was decided to invite applications for the position of secretary. Mr P.. Brown agreed to not as secretary prO tcm. The Ravensbourne Club was'admitted as a junior club. Notices of motion for the annual meeting of the New Zealand Football Association were left to the executive to deal with. It was resolved to accent the terms of the Chinese tour and guarantee £3.50, of which £125 would bo sent on immoditely. I( was advised that two matches would be played in Dunedin. A bonus was granted to the late secretary in appreciation of his services. The owning date of the season was fixed for April 26.