THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 57

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

The Northern Club opened its football season on Saturday. April 1. on the _ new ground opposite the Botanical Gardens. A large number of players rolled up, and setting enthusiastically to work, the outlines were quickly cut and the poa.l ]x>3ts put up. A practice match was commenced late in the afternoon. Good form was shown by Harrison and Morrison, but the others were sadly out of training, and after half an hour's vigorous play, were content with taking it very easy. There were^a largo number of young players present, promising' well for the Northern teams, and showing that Association is "taking-on" among the younger player? in Dunedin. One or two of last year's Northern have forsaken sockor for the sister game, Rugby (I nearly said the brotherly game of Rugby), but'we are expecting them back later on. The new ground was in fair condition, though slightly heavy, but when we remember the heavy rains in the morning', it was very good, the rain having drained off, leaving 1 no pools. A practice match will be played on Saturday, when all members or intending 1 members are requested to be present.

The following officers wore elected at the annual meeting of the Wellington Football Association, for the- ensuing year: — Patron. Mr C. H. Izard ; president, Mr A. E. Gibbs ; vice-presidents, Messrs G. Wilson, T. Shields, R. H. Davenport, J. J. Roberts, F J. Court eney, Ur. Pinnock. J. G. W. Aitken, M.H.R., G. Hog'ben, J. R. Patterson, and Dr Izard : hon. secretary, Mr Alf. Williams ; hon, treasurer, Mr J. J. Roberts ; delegates to N.Z.F.A., Messrs Alf. Williams and Roberts ; hoii. auditors, Messrs H. M'Keown and. L. White.

The &übiect of expenses in connection with the visit of the -New South Wales team, was discussed at the annual meeting of theWellington Football Association. It was mentioned that a Press Association report of a meeting held by the Auckland Assooiatjo3i !had stated that although the New.

South Wales team remained in "Wellington tor three days, and in Auckland for nine days, tho expenses at Wellington were shown at £113 9s, and at Auckland at £68 19s 9cl. It was pointed out that the Wellington expenses were large on account of 50 per cent, of the takings at the Athletic ■fc'ark, having had to be handed over to the company which owned the ground, and tliat outside the question of grounds, the Wellington expenses were really less than ••'iose at Auckland.

Th© Mornington Association Club held a xery successful practice on Saturday afterjioon. about 40 members turning out. A match between Captain and Deputy-captain resulted in a win for the Captain by 2 goals to nil, Middleman and Barrington beingresponsible for the fcore. Good fonr was also shown by Grenfell (2), George and J. Robertson, Scott, Nelson, Clarke. Biyley (2). Jackson, Mark. Hamburg and others. The club desires that all members and intending members should roll up to the practices, as the matches start early next me jth,. and the Selection Committee wishes to g* tc?e. the players. Another practice will be »ld! next Saturday, commencing at 2 o'c ik. sharp.

OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

The animal report of ihe committee of ihe Olago Football Association congratulates the clubs on the completion of a season that has been in every respect and may be recognised as the most successful in the history of th« Association game. Tne results of the various c empetitions are reviewed. The Northern won; tho Premi&r.ship and ihe Charity Banner ; ihe Northern Second the Junior Cup ; and Green Island the Third Grade contesi. Fifteen, •school teams entered for the Schools' Cup and medals, the College A team proving winners. Coll-ege A team, aiso won the ilve-iside tournament. Wednesday football flourished during the season, and thanks are given to the gentlemen wko worked so enthusiastically and placed! Wednesday football on a soiind basis. Referring to the visit of the New South "Wales team the report says : — " Your committee is pleased to report that both matches were played in the friendliest spirit possible. Although your committee canrot say that they are altogether satisfied with th*e administration of this tour by the N.Z.F.A., yet considering that this is the first trip of the kind, we think that a certain amount of toieration might be displayed towards the governing body. As far as the actual play of the visitors^is concerned, the educational advantages of the tour of such an admirable team) are enormous, and from this point of view wa have nothing but congratulations to offei th& N.Z.F.A.

" Finance. — -Owing to the heavy expenses in-cii-rred by the O.F.A. during the sesson and the payment of rents for grounds, the association is not in sii-ch a flourishing condition as the conimittes would like. It is satisfactory to note, however, that there is a credit balance. " Grcuncls — It is satisfactory to note that your committee is improving two good! gTounds, one near the Botanic Gardens and 1 the other at Mussel burgh. A considerable amount of mooney has been spent on the ground! near the Botanic Gardens, a^id yoxir committee ventures to say that this, when finished, will 1 be one of the best grounds the association has* under control Ycur committee desires to place on record its thanks to the Northern Club for raising the necessary funds for improving tho above gTOunc], and. trusts the example set will be followed' by other c!ub3. The Mu&selburgh Ground will also he a splendicf ground provided your committee can find ways and means of improving same." The committee reports having entered conjointly with the Kaikorai Band for the purpose of holding a carnival during show week. The following are mentioned as jKPrtliy of Jiearty, thanks: — Messrs S. S. Myers, J. Braithwaite, E. H. Nagle, G. M'Nair (delegates to ths „ N.Z.F.A.), the vice-presidents, Mr H. J. Duncan (who has acted as chairman of cconmitteo meetings), the press, the committee controlling the schools' competition, the O.R.F.U. fox i^e use of Bjsliopsoourt, those ladies unfit gentlemen who so kindly assisted at the school 1 boys 1 break-lip and annual distribution of prizes, the Referoes' Club far their successful efforts to further the interests of the Association gune, Messrs H. Brickell. C. R. Martin, P. Braithwaite, and T. Ashtdn for trophies presented. Special thanks are due to Messrs Conner, Myers, Braithwaite. and Moncrieff for guaranteeing the New South Wales team's expenses to Mr Soimdy for his services to tha school committee, and +o Messrs A. Sligo, P. M'MiHan, and M. Chadwick, members of tha Selection Committee, which carried out its_ arduous 'duties so successfully during the past" season. The secretary (Mr* P. Braithwaite> comes in for special thanks for his efforts d-uring the past two years, and -in this connection the ccininittee suggests that the time is within measurable distance when the employment of a paid secretary will be vital to the existence of the Association game in_ Dunedin. In conclusion, the committee iirges upon players the necessity- of doing everything possible t> popularise tlie Association game by" improving Ihe standard of play, and trust thai "players will bear with the O.F.A. in their endeavour to obtain batter and more suitable grounds. AttPvC-hed to the report are several notices of motion, among them being the following: — " That the control of the grounds hitherto in the hands of the O.F.A. be handed Back to the various clubs concerned, the O.F.A. retaining only the control of new grounds as in tha interest of the ga.nie it may seem fit to acquire." " That the five-aside additional pncl altered, rules framed by the O F.A. Committee last year be adopted. '

That no player sliall play for more than one club unless he receives the coiT=eiit of the O.F.A. Committee. In the event of a club entering more than one team for ihe same competition, no player having once played for one team shall play for nnv other team in tlie same competition without JK " cc soat o' ike O.F.A. Commits.