FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1934, 19 March 1891, Page 26

FOOTBALL.

NOTES BY FORWARD. The Alhambra Football Club opened their season on Saturday, when teams captained by M'Cleary and Briggs tried conclusions on the club's ground at Opoho. In the first epeli Restieaux and Fitchett secured tries, which Restieaux converted, thus showing that in this line he has lost none of his form. For the other side Cunningham potted a fine goal f com among a crowd of opponents. In the seoond spell, Bsquilant, Noel, Baker, and Fitohett each secured tries. Good play was shown by a number of the younger members, including Lumb, Lambert, Bsquilant, Cunningham, Fitchett, P. Williams, and others. The temporary Selection Committee then picked the first 20 players, who afterwards met and elected M'Cleary captain, and A. Downes deputycaptain. Messrs J. M'Cleary, A. Downes, and G. Weitzel were appointed a Selection Committee. The Kaikorai Club held their bpening match, President v. Vice-president, on Saturday, which, after a good game, resulted in a win for the Vice-president's side by 12 points to 2. The Burnside Club (Association) opened their season with a practice game on their ground, opposite the Burnside railway station, on Saturday. There was a good turn out of the old members, and several new ones put in an appearance. The game was a most enjoyable one. The fourth annual meeting of the Northern (Association) club was held on Friday evening last, when the attendance of members was larger than at any previous meeting. From the reports presented by the secretary and treasurer it appeared tbat the club is making steady prdgress both financially and as regards play. There are no liabilities and very considerable assets, including a cash balance of about £6. Of the 10 matches played last season four were won, three lost, and three drawn ; goals for 28, against 25. In the interprovincial match with Canterbury the club was creditably represented by Gardner (right wing forward) and Moncrieff (back). The club's debt of gratitude to Mr Moncrieff for his efforts to further the interests of the association game and to the president and vice-president for pecuniary help was acknowledged. Regret was expressed at the removal of the late captain, Mr R. Gardner. The election of officers resulted as follows : — Captain, Mr Geo. Munro; deputy captain, Mr R. Pollock ; treasurer (fourth consecutive election), Mr W. Walker ; and secretary, Mr C. Bowden. It was suggested that a suitable pitch could be obtained in Reid's paddock at a reasonable figure, but it was decided to. first try to secure the ground on which the club have hitherto played. Twelve new members were elected,, and the Match Committee were instructed to arrange fixtures for a seoond eleven. The annual general meeting of tire Bumside (Association) clnb was held in the Volunteer Hall, Green Island, on Friday evening last; Mr Smith presiding. There wad a large attendance of members and intending members present. The annual report and balance sheet were submitted to the members, and showed the club to be in a fairly good condition. The following office-bearers were elected: — President, Mr A. Lee Smith; vicepresidents—Messrs Gatfield, Loudon, Harraway, Tamer, Campbell, Houlston, Richardson, and Samson ; secretary, Mr W. H. Easton (re-elected) ; treasurer, Mr H. Smith (re-elected); general Committee to be composed of captain, secretary and treasurer, amTMessrs Turner, Eane, Campbell, and Aburn. It was decided to postpone the election of captain until the day of the first match of the club. Thirteen new members were elected. The annual meeting of the Zingari- Richmond Football Club was held in Carroll's European Hotel on Wednesday. Mr T. C M. Rallinshaw occupied the chair, and there were about 30 , gentlemen present. The annual report which ' was not so satisfactory a nature as the previous ones, was adopted without discussion. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year : — President, Dr Coughtrey ; vice-presidents — Messrs J. Marchbanks, S. M, Park, and F. Brodrick ; provisional committee — Messrs T. Rallinshaw, G. Dunn, and J. B. Waters ; delegates to the O.R.F.U. — Messrs T. Rallinshaw, S. M. Park, and J. B. Waters; secretary, Mr A. Bain. The annual meeting of the Pacific Footbtll Club was held in the Ocean View Hotel, last week. The following office-bearers were elected : — President, Mr J. M. Gallaway ; vice-presidents, Messrs W. Earnshaw, M.H.R., G. Reid, M. Sullivan, and J. Drumm ; captain, C. Summervill; deputy-captain, J. King; Match Committee, Messrs C. Summervill, J. King, and W. Butler. The General Committee consist of the Match Committee and Messrs P. Drumm and W. Hamilton. Delegates to the Rugby Union, Messrs J. Jack and the hon. secretary and treasurer (H. Rosevear). The club will as usual practise at Tahuna Park. The Dunedin correspondent of the Palmerston and Waikouaiti Times is responsible for the following extraordinary statement :— " I may mention that it is an open secret that professionalism will be rampant this football season. If this be so, it will undoubtedly exeroise a very bad influence on the game, and of course, the question arises : How is it to be killed, nipped in the bud ? Everyone admits it should be faced, but unfortunately no one can suggest any ways or means by which it can be detected, and the culprits brought befora tne proper tribunals," This will all be news, probably, to the officials of the 0.8.. F.U. There appears to be a probability that a team representing the Naseby Prospectors Club will visit Dunedin this season.