OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 50

OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

The twelfth annual general meeting of the Otago Football Association was held at the Coffee Palace on Wednesday evening, Mr J. Wilson (vice-president, m the chair) and delegates from all the affiliated clubs being present. It was resolved that the annual report, which has alieady been published, be taken a? read.

The Treasurer read the statement of revenue and expenditure for the year, sho'vmg that, in spite of tho heavy expenses incurred by the northern tour, the association were still m credit to the extent of £10 5s Id.

The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual ipport and balance sheet, said that the leport was so full and complete in every particular as to hardly require any explanation or comment Referring, however, to the lack of public support to the game, thi« was. in his opinion, due m a great measure to the players themselves, who did .not sufficiently urge their friends to patronise the game. He referred with pleasure to the affiliation of two new clubs,, which fact was a sine indication that the game was steadily finding favour. He need nor. tell the delegates how pleased he was with the result of the northern tour, and could only express the hope that Otago, luring now obtained posse^on of the coveted Brown challenge shield, would do its best to ream it for some years, at a.ll events. While speaking on this matter, he could not lpfrain from paying high tribute to the treasurer (Mr C H. Stables), whose assistance to the association at that period had been invaluable : in fact, but for Mr Stables' s work, the team could not havebeen sent. Tile selection committee had abundantly justified the trust reposed in them, in picking a team that had fulfilled the expectations of the mo?t banguine. Financially, t lie association had experienced a yerv trying year, but he was pleased to note that the. credit balance was nearly as large as at the commencement of the year, while the expanses of the .northern tour, over £100, had all been defrayed The forming of the Referees' Club was certainly a step in the right direction, and the thanks of the association and players and public alike wore due to those gentlemen who had given up their rime to this work. He woulfl al.=o like to refer, in conclusion, to the valuable services rendered during ihe past year by the press, their reports nf ihe northern tour having been especially appreciated

Mr Slieo, in seconding the adoption of the report, thought that the lack of interest in the game was due more to the want of good grounds than to any other reason a 9 wihout first-class grounds it was impossible to get first-class play "

Mr Stables, m speaking to the motion, drew the attention of the delegates to the absurdity of the existing rules governing the Charity Banner contests, and trusted that in the near future some more equitable law? would be framed. He would take the opportunity nt a special general meeting, which, ho understood, would be held shortly, to move in that direction. The Charity Banner should, in his opinion, be awarded to the premier team on the season's play. Tho report and balance sheet having been unanimously adopted, the election of officebearers took place, and resulted as follows : President. Mr S. S. Myers (re-e^cted) ; vice-president' — Messr* J- Wilson (reelected). J L Salmond W Bennett, and T Asliton : secretary, Mr, T. G Scoular ; treasurer, Mr C. H. Stables (re-elected* ; committee — office-bearers-, and Messrs T. Hiddlostone, W. Smith. P M'MiHan, W. Cowan, and J. Nagle : delegate to New Zealand Association, Mr J. L Mackie. A motion by Mr Fleming, that matches commence on the first Saturday m May, was carried.

Votes of thanks were accorded to Air G. M'Millan (who retires from office after a lengthy term of service) a.nd to Mr J. Nagle (the retiring secretary) for past bei-wces.

The Opotiki Herald says that Mr James White has been elected captain 'of the Opotiki Native contingent of 100 men who will visit Rotorra on the occasion of (he royal vi«it. Awanui and other chiefs ara getting their men prepared and drilled

At the farewell banquet to Mr E. M. Smith, M.H ft., at New Plj mouth la=t Wednesday Mr Berry ga\e fome information as to what led up to the pre^cuftnis^ion of Mr Smith and Mr Cabman.' The latter, having been partly convinced by Mr Smith a = to the practicability of smelting ironsand, -went, to Mr Berry for information One mile of the beach wot, tested as to the quantity of i-ond, and an estimate of 3.000,000 tons waj arrived at Other information was supplied. Mr Cadman. and finally he and Mr Berry undertook the preliminary work, which, ifc was estimated, would cost £2000. Some 10 miles of sea beach ha-d been leased, and other leases would also bo obtained. Two coal mines and other rights had been got. In all they had some seven options. It was decided to put some New Zealand money into the venture. If they failed in London then they had Germany and America to tiy. Only that day Mr SmiHi had received a letter from Amer'ca inviting Mr Cabman and himself to go to Ameiica. where, the writer stated, there was plenty of enterprise, and where capital would be no object. They, however, would try the London market first, as arranged They would not trouble brokers in the matter, but would endeavour to get four or fh c gentlemen to take up the project.