ASSOCIATION NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2527, 20 August 1902, Page 52

ASSOCIATION NOTES.

Bt Sockerist.

Wellington have now definitely decid-ed to jour-icy to Dunedin, and will play against Otago on September 6. Carisbrook ground has been secured, and a keen contest is confidently expected.

Otago will have a particularly strong combination thiß year, but with 6uch a host of available talent the Spleclion Committee (Messrs G. M'Millan, T. Ash ton, and T. Hiddleston) will have a very hard duty to pick the team. The chief trouble, however, lies in the half backs, The following half backs must claim attention : — D. M'Millan, Adams (Wakari). Kearney, Kilgour (Northern), Liing-, Nagle (Southern), and Middlemass (Kaitangata).

Jack Muir. Mornineton's most prominent forward in bygone days-, has recently returned from South Africa, whither he had gone with, the Eighth Contingent. Last Saturday, afc the Five -a - Side Tournament, he took a prominent role in Momington's No. 1 team. He intends leaving for tln> North Island shortly, and eventually for the diamond country. Good luc-k to him is the w ish of his many friends

The Fne~a-Side Tournament of 1902 may be termed the most succosful e^ er held under' the O.F.A. 's management. The

interesting and pretty games were witnessed. A feature of the afternoon was the musio supplied by the Mornington Band, which was much appreciated by the large number of spectators. Roslyn once agaim asserted their superiority by winning the tournament, thereby adding another laurel to the already splendid record for season 1902. Every post has been made a winning one, and consequently the Cup, Banner, and tournament trophies have found their resting-place with the hill team. Truly a wonderful achievement Northen No. 1, tho ruuners-up, had very hard luck in losing the services of "Monty" Chadw ick in the final, owing to an injury to his knee received in the semi-final with Roslyn No. 2. Hayiies was requisitioned in his stead, and play«d a very Bervicepbla game. It is to be hoped that the injury to Chad wick's knee is not a serious one. His services, which will be required in the representative match, can ill be rpared, and without him Otago must perforce be cons.derably weakened. A large ho=t of admirers will bo ploased to hear of a speedy recovery.

The foundation of our future football — viz , the c choolbovs — has received a severe shaking during the past few week*. For three Saturdays in succession the boys' matches have bean abando-ned for reasons only known to_ the powers that be. There still remain six matches to be played to complete the first round, and it behoves the officials of the O.F.A. to get these matches off with all possible promptitude. Adam Dobson, the veritable stone wall, came in for a great deal of 'admiration for his splendid performance in keeping up Iloslyn's end in tho tournament last Saturday. The fact that not a single point was registered agair.at " the winning team was mainly due to his efforts. There cannot be the slightest doubt that Dobson is one of tho finest defensive players in the colony.

The Wellington representative team is already selected, and in it appear no less than five ex-Dtmedin playerE — vis., Nagle, Morrison, Smellie, White, and Amies.

J. Kober, erstwhile supporter of the Auckland uprights, has been contesting his right as custodian for Wellington in the hope of another trip to Duuedin. Kober's claims, however, have- been supplanted by one Fitzgerald, who is said to have showu better form than Kober in the trials, and thus justified his inclusion over one who has in the past shown such grand form.

A wail from Wellington ! A writer in a Wellington weekly is very much chagrined at the injustice (?) meted out to the Wellington representatives in not being awarded tho "Brown" shield on last season's performances, and somewhat takes away the credit earned by Otago. He tays: "The bungle of the New Zealand Association in giving the shield to Otago last season, and again slighting Wellington this season, clearly shows its incompetenoy to grapple With such an important matter."

The following note by the same writer : The various associations apparently arrange their own fixtures irrespective of the decisions of the Now Zealand Association, and if the ruling body is ignored it should either make the offending body bow to its ruling or else relinquish its control over that body. For a subordinate body to dictate and defy its superior fa unreasonable, and unless the New Zealand Association" arouses itself toa sense of its duty and importance, the ground will be cut from \mder its Jeet, and it mu-st inevitably fall. My confrere is evidently under the impression that tho forthcoming rep. match has boen sololy arranged by the two associations without the sanction of the' controlling body. I would remind him that such is not the case, and would suggest to my northern friend that he would do more good for the sport if, instead of finding fault, he offered some sensible advice. By the way, Wellington has not visited Dunedin since 1896.

Roslyn hold their annual invitation dance in St. Paul's Schoolroom to-morrow night, at which presentations will be made to thoje members who have recently returned from South Africa. A most successful function is anticipated. Schools Competition. The following table ehow3 the positions of the 6chool elevens : —

It has been decided to resume the schools matcher* en Saturday next. Fixtures and grounds will be published on Friday as usual.

1 Normal ... ... 9 Kuikoraj 8 Green 1.-laad 8 N.E. Volley ... 9 Caveivham ... 8 Kensington ... 8 Wakari 8 Hi*h Street ... 9 Chrutianßros. ... 8 Albany Street ... 8 Morniuzton „. 9 Georgs Street ... 9 Forbury Road ... 8 Union Street „. 8 Macandrcw Road 9 § 8 6 S 5 4 5 3 4 3 1 2 2 0 « 0 i 0 1 0 2 1 2 1 4 3 2 5 7 6 7 9 I Q 1 1 3 2 3 1 4 1 2 5 2 0 2 1 0 3 a 'o 17 13 13 12 11 11 10 0 8 7 6 4 2 1 0